Camera Sewer Inspection & Pipe Diagnostics in Southeast Michigan
Stop guessing what's wrong with your drain. Put a camera in it and know for certain.
HD waterproof sewer camera inspection showing you exactly what's inside your pipes - cracks, root intrusion, bellied sections, grease buildup, collapses - in real time. No digging. No guesswork. No repair recommendations until we know exactly what we’re dealing with. Licensed Master Plumber serving Livonia, Dearborn Heights, Wayne County & Southeast Michigan.
Diagnose First
We Don’t Guess. We Put a Camera In the Pipe.
Here's how most sewer problems get misdiagnosed: homeowner describes symptoms, plumber makes an educated guess, performs a service that treats the guess - and two months later you're calling again because the guess was wrong. We've seen it happen hundreds of times in 20+ years.
Our approach is simple: before we recommend any repair, we know what we’re looking at. We feed a professional HD waterproof camera through your sewer line from the cleanout access point and we watch the footage together in real time. You see the root intrusion at the 40-foot mark. You see the belly where water is pooling. You see the scale buildup that's been narrowing your kitchen line for years. Then we give you a repair recommendation that's based on evidence, not guesswork.
The result: you only pay for the repair that's actually needed - not the repair that seemed most likely from the outside. And you have documentation of exactly what's in your pipe.
What the Camera Finds
- Cracks & Fractures - From freeze-thaw stress, settlement, or age. Determines whether lining or replacement is needed.
- Root Intrusion - Tree roots entering at joint gaps. Location pinpointed exactly so you know what repair is appropriate.
- Bellied Pipe - Low spots where pipe has sagged underground, trapping water and debris. Cannot be fixed by lining - requires re-grade or replacement.
- Grease & Scale Buildup - Coating on pipe walls restricting flow. Confirms whether hydro jetting is the right next step.
- Pipe Collapses - Full or partial collapse visible as camera path blocked. Confirms excavation is needed before any lining.
- Offset Joints - Pipe sections shifted at connections. Common in older clay pipe with soil movement.
Three Use Cases
When to Get a Sewer Camera Inspection
Diagnostic - we Have Symptoms
Recurring backups, slow drains, sewage smell, or gurgling? Same symptom can cost $200 to fix or $15,000 - depending on what's actually wrong. Camera inspection tells you before you commit to a repair. $150–$250 · 45–90 minutes on-site.
Pre-Purchase - Buying a Home
Standard home inspections don't check sewer lines. A $200–$300 camera inspection before you close can surface issues that cost $5,000–$20,000 to repair - and get you a seller concession. For any home built before 1990 in Southeast Michigan, this is non-negotiable due diligence. $200–$300 · Report usable in closing negotiations.
Post-Repair Verification
After any pipe lining, hydro jetting, or sewer repair - including work done by another contractor - a camera inspection confirms the repair was done correctly. Had pipe lining installed and want to verify the liner cured properly and covers every joint? That's exactly what this is for. Included with Pete's repair work · $150–$250 standalone.
The Process
How a Sewer Camera Inspection Works
1. Locate Cleanout
We locate your sewer cleanout access - typically a capped pipe near the foundation or in the basement. If none is accessible, the camera goes in through the roof vent stack.
2. Feed the Camera
The flexible HD waterproof camera cable goes through the line. Every foot of footage is timestamped and distance-marked so any finding can be referenced to an exact location.
3. Watch It Live
You watch the footage as it's captured. We narrate what we see - the root at the joint, the belly, the crack. There's no interpretation step you're excluded from. This is your pipe.
4. Written Report
After the inspection you get a written report documenting all findings with footage references and recommended next steps - or a confirmation that no structural repair is needed. You also receive the inspection footage as a digital file - yours to keep for insurance claims, real estate negotiations, or future contractor bids.
Southeast Michigan Specific
Why Camera Inspection Matters More in Older Neighborhoods
Livonia, Dearborn Heights, and the surrounding Wayne County communities were heavily developed between the 1940s and 1970s. The sewer infrastructure from that era used clay pipe and cast-iron that's now 50–80 years old.
Clay pipe is brittle and cracks under Michigan's freeze-thaw cycle stress. Cast iron corrodes from the inside out and provides exceptional adhesion for grease buildup. The mature trees planted in those same neighborhoods have had 50+ years to grow their roots directly into sewer pipe joints.
This combination - old brittle pipe, interior corrosion, and mature root systems - makes Southeast Michigan homes significantly higher-risk for sewer problems than newer construction. A camera inspection on a home in this area isn't just useful - it's how you avoid being blindsided by a $10,000–$20,000 repair that was developing for years before you saw any symptoms.
Pricing
Camera Inspection Cost
Camera inspection cost is credited toward any repair work that follows. You get a written report every time - not just a verbal "looks fine."
Camera Sewer Inspection FAQ
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
Most residential sewer camera inspections take 45–90 minutes from the time we arrive to when we hand you the written report. Longer lines or difficult cleanout access can add time. We'll give you a realistic estimate on the phone based on what you describe.
Do we need to do anything to prepare for a camera inspection?
Nothing major - just know whether you have a cleanout access point and where it is (if you know). If you've had any recent snaking or drain cleaning, let me know, as this can affect what the camera shows. You don't need to clear out any areas or move anything.
Can a sewer camera see the entire pipe to the street?
Yes. We run the camera from the cleanout access point all the way to the municipal connection point at the street - the full length of your sewer lateral. Every foot of footage is recorded, timestamped, and distance-marked so any finding can be located precisely.
What happens after the camera inspection?
You get a written report. If the inspection shows nothing requiring structural repair - just buildup that needs cleaning - we'll recommend hydro jetting or snaking and quote you right there. If it shows root intrusion, a belly, cracks, or a collapse, we explain what repair is appropriate, why, and what it costs. Then the decision is yours. No pressure tactics.
Should we get a sewer inspection before buying a home?
Absolutely - especially for any home built before 1990 in Wayne County or surrounding Southeast Michigan. The standard home inspector doesn't check sewer lines. A camera inspection during your contingency period can surface defects that save you from inheriting thousands of dollars in repair costs. If defects are found, the inspection report can be used to negotiate a seller concession at closing. We've seen $250 inspections result in $10,000+ seller credits.
Does a sewer camera find all types of problems?
A camera inspection finds any defect that is visible inside the pipe - cracks, root intrusion, bellied pipe, collapsed sections, offset joints, and significant grease or scale buildup. What it cannot do is see through pipe walls to check surrounding soil conditions or detect hairline exterior cracks that haven't penetrated the interior. For most homeowner situations, the camera shows everything that matters for repair decision-making.
Will you dig up my yard to run the camera?
No digging is needed for a camera inspection. The camera is fed through your existing cleanout access point, which is a capped pipe access point already present in your system. If no cleanout exists or is accessible, the camera goes in through the roof vent stack. In rare cases where neither is accessible, a cleanout can be installed during the same visit - and that cost would be quoted upfront.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
From Camera to Fix - We Handle the Full Repair
CIPP Pipe Lining
If the camera finds a cracked or deteriorating pipe, we can line it from the inside - no excavation required. CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) lining installs a seamless resin liner inside your existing pipe, restoring full flow and structural integrity without digging up your yard or driveway.
Spot Repair & Pipe Patching
Not every damaged section needs a full liner. When the camera pinpoints a single crack or offset joint, a targeted spot repair or patch is often the right fix - faster and more affordable than lining the full line.
Full Sewer Line Replacement
When the camera shows a pipe that is beyond lining - collapsed sections, severe root damage, or extensive corrosion - a full replacement is the correct call. Pete provides honest guidance on when this is actually necessary vs. when lining will do the job.
Camera inspection finds the problem. We fix it - with the right method, no unnecessary upsells. After your inspection, we walk you through exactly what the camera found and what the repair options are. You decide. Get a repair quote →
PRICING & PAYMENT
Flexible Payment Options & Our Price Guarantee
Financing Available
Drain and sewer work can be unexpected. Pete The Plumber works with third-party financing partners to help make the cost manageable. Ask about financing options when you call - approval is quick and getting your drain fixed shouldn't wait.
1-Year Workmanship Warranty
Every drain cleaning and plumbing service comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty. If the problem recurs due to our work, we come back at no charge. That's the Pete The Plumber guarantee.
Know What You're Working With. Schedule a Camera Inspection.
Serving Livonia, Dearborn Heights, Wayne County & all of Southeast Michigan. 24/7 availability. Upfront pricing. 1-year workmanship warranty.