Sewer Camera Inspection in Greensboro, NC

What the camera shows

The plumber feeds the camera in through a cleanout or, sometimes, a toilet opening. You watch the footage on a screen as it travels toward the street. Common findings:

• Roots coming in at joints
• Cracks and breaks, including fully collapsed sections
• Offsets, where two pipe sections have shifted out of line
• Bellies, low spots where water and waste collect
• Grease and debris buildup, or something that shouldn't be there at all

Many camera heads carry a locator, so the plumber can mark the spot and depth on the ground above. That's what makes a spot repair possible instead of guessing where to dig.

When an inspection is worth it

The same drain keeps clogging. If a line has been cleared more than once, the camera shows why.

Before a big repair. It's reasonable to ask to see the footage that supports a recommendation to replace a line.

After clearing a backup. Running the camera after cleaning confirms whether the blockage was a one-time clog or damaged pipe.

Buying an older house. About 43% of Greensboro homes were built before 1980. A sewer line that age can look fine from inside the house and still have roots or breaks, and a standard home inspection usually doesn't include a camera.

Cameras and Greensboro's sewer backup policy

The City of Greensboro's Sanitary Sewer Backup Policy can reimburse some damage from a first-time backup caused by a blockage in the public main. In a 2021 letter to plumbers explaining the policy, the City asked that after clearing a line to the main, the plumber inspect it with a CCTV camera. If that inspection finds damage in the right-of-way, the City reimburses the cost of the camera work. The policy doesn't cover backups that start on the private side.

If you've had a backup, call City of Greensboro Water Resources at 336-373-2033 before you start cleanup, then mention the policy when you're connected with a plumber so the footage is saved.

Ask for the footage

Request a copy of the video, with the distances noted for anything found. It helps if you get a second opinion, file a claim, or need the line repaired later.

What affects the cost

Price depends on whether there's an accessible cleanout, the length of the line, whether it has to be cleared first, and whether locating and a recorded report are included.