Sewer cameras can detect blockages. When you notice slow drainage, foul odors, or recurring clogs in residential, commercial, or industrial pipelines, you can use a sewer camera to pinpoint the root cause of the drainage issue.

In this article, we'll help you fully understand sewer cameras by covering their principles, advantages, suitable applications, and common misconceptions.

What is Sewer Camera Inspection?

A sewer inspection camera is a high-definition device specifically designed for internal pipeline inspections. Mounted on a retractable flexible cable, the camera can penetrate deep into drainage pipes, main conduits, elbows, underground pipelines, and other locations, transmitting real-time footage of the interior conditions to a monitor screen.

• During inspections, we can directly observe:

• The exact location of blockages

• The type of obstructions

• Whether water is pooled inside the pipe

• The presence of cracks, collapses, or misalignments

• Root intrusion

• Pipe wall deterioration or deformation

Simply put, it brings the pipe's interior into clear view, enabling clients and technicians to pinpoint issues with precision.

How Does a Plumbing Camera Work?

Sewer camera inspection works with a small HD camera attached to a long, flexible cable and pushed down into your pipe. The camera has built-in LED lights and a waterproof casing, and some models can even pan and tilt to give you a clearer view of what’s going on inside. There’s also a small transmitter inside (called a sonde) that lets you know exactly how deep the camera is and where it is under your property.

As the camera moves through the line, it sends live HD video and distance readings to a monitor so you can see exactly what’s causing the issue. This helps you pinpoint the problem spot and figure out the best way to fix it.  If the pipe is completely blocked or too narrow for the camera to pass through, you can first clear this small section or reinsert the camera for inspection.

The brief workflow is as follows:

1. Open the drain outlet

2. Insert the camera into the pipe

3. View real-time footage of the interior

4. Record the location, depth, and type of blockage

5. Develop a cleaning plan based on the findings

6. Verify results with the camera after cleaning

The entire process usually takes only twenty to forty minutes.

What Types of Blockages Can Sewer Cameras Detect?

Nearly all common blockages can be captured by cameras, especially issues invisible to the naked eye.

1. Grease or Food Residue Buildup

Cameras clearly show grease layer thickness and accumulation points—common in kitchen pipes.

2. Foreign Objects

Such as small toys, bottle caps, paper towel balls, or wet wipes.

Human eyes can't identify them, but cameras pinpoint them directly.

3. Water Pooling Due to Pipe Tilt or Misalignment

These blockages appear similar to standard clogs but stem from structural issues. Cameras reveal abnormalities caused by backflow or stagnant water.

4. Root Intrusion

Tree roots penetrate aging pipes and grow thicker over time. Without cameras, locating their position and density is challenging.

5. Pipe Damage or Collapse

Attempting blind clearing is ineffective and may worsen the situation.

Cameras precisely identify crack shapes and collapse severity.

6. Deep Blockages in Septic Tanks or Main Lines

These areas are distant and contain multiple bends. Cameras reach locations inaccessible to manual methods.

In summary, any blockage that is “visible” can be located by a sewer camera.

What Are the Benefits of Using Sewer Cameras?

This is where camera inspection truly shines. It not only locates blockages but also addresses these pain points:

1. Eliminates guesswork

Traditional clearing often involves trial-and-error methods, wasting time and potentially leading to misdiagnosis.

The drain camera enables technicians to pinpoint the root cause in one go.

2. Pinpoint Blockage Location

Knowing where the blockage is allows for precise repair methods. For example:

• Blockage in an elbow joint? Use a drain snake.

• Blockage in the main line? Use high-pressure jetting.

• Damaged pipe? Use localized repair.

Quickly locating the problem saves time and money.

3. Eliminate Over-Engineering

• Cameras prevent unnecessary digging or wall demolition.

• If internal pipe cleaning suffices, no additional construction is required.

4. Pre-Purchase or Renovation Health Checks

Cameras reveal hidden pipe issues in older homes, preventing persistent drainage problems after moving in.

5. Post-Repair Verification

Post-cleaning camera inspections ensure pipes are fully restored and free of hidden hazards.

When Is It Strongly Recommended to Use a Sewer Camera?

Not all clogs require camera inspection, but the following situations definitely warrant it:

Recurring clogs in your home

Failure of plungers and drain cleaners to resolve the issue

Slow drainage is co-occurring at multiple outlets

Bubbling sounds emanating from the toilet

Noticeable sewer odors

Unclear cause of the blockage

Aging pipes in older homes

Desire to assess pipe conditions before major renovations

Trees near the property are raising concerns about root intrusion

Especially when clogs persistently recur, camera inspection can be more crucial than simple unclogging.

Are There Situations Where Cameras Cannot Detect Issues?

Yes. While cameras can handle most troubleshooting needs, they are limited in the following scenarios:

1. Pipe completely blocked

If the pipe is completely sealed by solid foreign objects, sediment, or severe blockages, the pipe camera cannot advance. Typically, partial clearing is required first to open a path for the lens.

2. Cement or hardened materials solidified inside the pipe

Once materials like cement, grout, or tile adhesive harden within the pipe, they create a complete blockage. A camera cannot detect such situations and requires alternative solutions.

These limitations are uncommon, but when encountered, the blockage must be resolved before camera inspection and diagnosis can proceed.

Is Camera Inspection Worth it?

Sewer camera inspection is highly worthwhile. While many worry about the cost, it often saves you money overall. The reasons are straightforward:

• Ensures repairs are done right the first time

• Avoids blind attempts at clearing blockages

• Reduces the need for rework

• Prevents unnecessary demolition and reconstruction

• Stops larger plumbing disasters

For both residential and commercial properties, this expense is usually very cost-effective. Especially if you own your own sewer camera that can be deployed on demand, it can save you even more money.

Finally

In summary, a sewer camera can reliably and efficiently identify pipeline blockages. It not only detects the problem but also pinpoints the blockage type, exact location, severity, and overall pipe condition.

If you want to diagnose issues quickly, prevent recurring blockages, reduce repair costs, avoid breaking floors or walls, or verify pipe conditions before renovating or purchasing a property, a sewer camera inspection is one of the most effective tools available.