Drain & Sewer Tips / Pricing Guides

A sewer camera inspection is exactly what it sounds like: a waterproof camera on a flexible cable travels through your sewer line while you watch the live feed. It's the difference between guessing what's wrong underground and knowing. Here's what it costs and when it's worth it.

What it costs (2026)

Most standalone camera inspections run $125 to $500, depending on line length and access; national averages land in the low hundreds. Some companies (including us) discount or bundle the inspection with a cleaning, since the camera is how we verify the work. Recording for your records — important for home purchases and insurance — may be included or a small add-on. Always ask.

The four times a camera inspection is absolutely worth it

1. Before you buy a house. Standard home inspections do not include the sewer line — and a failed lateral is one of the most expensive surprises in homeownership. A pre-purchase sewer scope costs a few hundred dollars and can save you $10,000+ or give you negotiating power before closing. In older Colorado Springs neighborhoods with clay lines and mature trees, we consider it non-negotiable.

2. When the same drain keeps clogging. A clog that comes back isn't bad luck — it's a symptom. Roots, a bellied section holding waste, or a partial collapse will re-clog forever until the actual cause is found.

3. Before you approve any sewer repair quote. If a company tells you your line needs a $15,000 replacement, the camera footage is your proof — or your second opinion. Never approve underground work no one can show you.

4. After a major backup. Clearing the line fixed the symptom. The camera tells you whether the cause is still down there waiting.

When you can probably skip it

One slow bathroom sink that's never given trouble before doesn't need a camera — it needs a cleaning. A good drain company won't upsell you an inspection for a simple hair clog, and that restraint is a decent test of who you're dealing with.

What the camera can find

Root intrusion at pipe joints · cracks and fractures · bellies (sags where waste collects) · offset or separated joints · grease and scale buildup · crushed or collapsed sections · and the exact location and depth of any problem, so a repair digs one hole instead of three.

What happens with the results

Nothing wrong? You get peace of mind and a baseline recording. Problem found? You'll see it yourself on the screen and get options in writing — cleaning, jetting, or repair — with the footage to back them up. The camera never lies, and it keeps everyone honest.

Buying a home or fighting a repeat clog in the Pikes Peak region? Drain Plumber Pro runs camera inspections across Colorado Springs and surrounding areas — call (719) 639-4137.