Why Look Inside The Pipe
Slow drains, gurgling fixtures and repeat backups tell you something is wrong but not what or where. A camera on a flexible cable travels through the line and sends back live video. We see the pipe material, joints, debris, roots, cracks and low spots without digging.
That information changes the plan. A clog that cleans out easily needs a different answer than a collapsed section or a bellied pipe holding water.
What The Camera Can Find
The inspection reveals problems that no amount of guessing will.
Tree root intrusion
Fine roots enter at joints and thicken over time. Video shows how deep they go and whether the line needs cutting or repair.
Cracks and breaks
Cast iron, clay and older plastic lines crack with age and movement. The camera shows the damage and its position.
Bellies and low spots
A sagging section holds water and waste. Cleaning helps for a while, but only a repair fixes it.
Grease and scale
Buildup narrows the line. Seeing it helps decide between snaking and hydro jetting.
What to do before the camera visit
A little preparation lets the technician get a clear picture of the line.
- Locate your cleanout if you know where it is and keep the area clear.
- Avoid running water heavily for an hour before the visit.
- Do not pour chemical cleaners into the drains beforehand.
- Keep pets and children away from the cleanout area.
- Tell us about any recent backups or slow drains.
How An Inspection Works
The process is simple and usually takes about an hour.
Access
We find a cleanout or remove a toilet to feed the camera into the line.
Record
The camera runs the line while we watch live video and note problem spots.
Locate
A transmitter in the camera lets us mark the ground above any defect and measure its depth.
Explain
We show you the footage, explain what it means and talk through options.
Reading The Footage Together
We do not hand you a video and walk away. We pause on the problem spots and explain what each one means in plain terms. A hairline crack in a sound pipe is different from a joint that has separated, and a few roots at a seam are different from a mass filling the pipe.
That explanation is what lets you decide with confidence. You can ask for the saved footage to share with a contractor, an insurer or a real estate agent.
Buying Or Selling A Home
A sewer line is hidden, expensive to fix and rarely part of a standard home inspection. A camera inspection before closing gives a buyer real information and gives a seller a chance to address problems on their own terms.
Sandwich has many older homes, including houses that predate modern pipe materials. Age is not a verdict, but it is a reason to look. If you own a property with a septic system instead of town sewer, the inspection covers the line from the house to the tank, and Title 5 questions go to the local Board of Health. Septic rules fall under 310 CMR 15.000.
What Happens After The Inspection
We give you a plain explanation of what we saw. A line in good shape may need only routine cleaning. A line with roots may need cutting and a maintenance plan. A line with breaks or bellies needs repair, which we cover on our sewer line repair page.
For lines that back up often, our sewer line cleaning work can restore flow while you plan a repair. We never recommend digging until the footage shows it is needed.
What Drives The Price Of An Inspection
What shapes the price
You hear the price before the camera goes in. These items explain why inspections differ from home to home.
Access point
A clean, reachable cleanout is quick. Pulling a toilet or working through a long run takes more time.
Line length and condition
Longer lines and lines with heavy debris take longer to run.
Locating and marking
Tracing a defect from above and measuring depth adds a step.
Recorded footage
A saved video file and a written summary help with repair planning or a real estate deal.
Cleaning first
Some lines must be cleared before the camera can pass.
Frequently asked questions
Most inspections run about an hour. Long lines, heavy debris or difficult access can add time.
Yes. A pre-purchase inspection is one of the most common reasons to call. We provide footage and an explanation you can share with your agent.
It can inspect the line from the house to the tank. Septic tank pumping and Title 5 inspections are separate and are handled by the appropriate licensed providers and the local Board of Health.
The inspection finds it. Repair or cleaning is a separate step, and we explain the options and price before any work starts.
Yes, the camera transmitter lets us mark the surface above the defect and estimate its depth.
We need access to the cleanout or fixture and it helps to have you there to see the footage and ask questions.
Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock.
Call (508) 389-4045Reference: according to 248 CMR 10.00 and, for septic properties, Title 5 (310 CMR 15.000), the condition of the line matters for repair and for property transactions. Ask the Board of Health about septic inspection requirements.