Note to readers: This post was updated on August 01, 2026 to tighten the five scenarios, update the who-should-do-it section, and link to our root intrusion and line belly guides. We refreshed the details below so the advice reflects how we approach this work today.
A sewer video camera inspection lets a plumber see exactly what’s happening inside your sewer line without digging up your yard first. It’s the same idea as an oil change for your car — a small, inexpensive check now that helps you avoid a much bigger and more expensive problem later.
Here are five situations where getting a sewer inspection is worth the money.
1. You’re buying a home
A sewer inspection should be part of your due diligence on any home purchase, especially an older one or one where the seller can’t tell you when the line was last checked. A general home inspector will often flag the need for one but usually doesn’t carry a sewer camera themselves — that’s a specialist job.
Finding out about root intrusion or a collapsed section after closing is a lot more expensive than finding out before you sign.
2. You’re selling a home
If you want to avoid last-minute negotiating leverage for the buyer, get the sewer line inspected before listing. Homes that come with a clean inspection report tend to close faster and with fewer surprises for both sides — and if there is an issue, you get to decide how to handle it on your own timeline instead of the buyer’s.
3. You’ve never had one done
If your home is more than 30-40 years old and you honestly don’t know the condition of the sewer line, that’s reason enough. Aging clay or cast iron sewer lines are common throughout the older neighborhoods of Pasadena, Arcadia, and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley, and root intrusion or line bellying often develops quietly for years before it causes a visible backup.
4. You have a large, mature tree near the line
Tree roots are the single most common cause of sewer line damage we see. Roots are drawn to the moisture inside the pipe and will exploit even hairline cracks or joint gaps, eventually cracking the pipe further or causing a full collapse. If there’s a tree 20+ years old anywhere near your sewer line’s path, periodic inspection is cheap insurance against a very expensive repair.
5. Your line has been backing up regularly
Recurring backups are rarely random. Something specific — roots, grease buildup, a partial collapse, or a belly in the line — is causing it, and a camera inspection is the only reliable way to know which. Guessing and repeatedly snaking the same blockage without diagnosing the cause tends to cost more over time than just finding the root issue.
Who should do the inspection?
- Home inspectors are useful for a general read on the home but rarely carry a sewer camera themselves.
- Plumbers almost always carry a camera and are trained specifically for sewer and drain issues — the right call if you suspect an actual problem.
- Handymen are generally not the right choice for this — sewer camera work benefits from licensed, specialized experience.
What does it cost?
Sewer video inspections typically range from around $175 to $500+ depending on line length and access. Western Rooter & Plumbing offers sewer video camera inspections starting at $175 — see our pricing page for details, or contact us to schedule one.
