Common Problems Spotted With Camera Inspections

If you need work done on your home’s plumbing system, then you’ll probably find that many local plumbers advertise video camera inspection. Video camera inspections are a relatively new plumbing technique that are growing in popularity because they’re non-invasive yet highly effective. Here’s how it works: The plumber inserts a special camera, mounted on a long, flexible rod, into the pipes. Unless you live very far from the road, this rod is long enough to go all the way to the municipal sewer line, which means it can literally inspect every inch of every pipe in your plumbing system. Once the camera is inserted, high-resolution video is transmitted back in real time to the plumber, who can see the interior of the pipes on a handheld screen. This allows him or her to see any problems the camera picks up. Because the camera also transmits the exact location and depth of its location, there’s never any guesswork as to the location of any issues.

What Problems Can Only Be Spotted With Camera Inspections?

Not all plumbing issues are visible at the surface—or even diagnosable with traditional methods. That’s where professional sewer camera inspections come in. Using high-resolution video technology, plumbers can pinpoint hidden problems deep inside your pipes without digging or guesswork. From underground pipe collapses to tree root intrusion and hidden cracks, camera inspections reveal the issues you can’t see—but need to fix before they turn into costly emergencies. Below, we break down the most common plumbing problems that can only be identified with a camera inspection.

Common Causes of Sewer and Pipe Damage

Understanding the root causes of pipe and sewer line issues can help you prevent serious plumbing emergencies. Below are the most common culprits behind blockages, backups, and broken pipes in residential plumbing systems.

1. Pipe Blockages from Waste Buildup

Over time, grease, hair, soap scum, and other debris can accumulate inside your pipes, leading to clogs and reduced water flow. Severe buildup can cause sewer backups, water damage, and in some cases, even burst pipes.

2. Tree Root Intrusion

Tree and shrub roots are naturally drawn to the nutrients found in your sewer lines. These roots can grow into pipe joints, cracks, or weak points, causing major blockages and long-term damage. Root intrusion is one of the most common reasons for sewer line replacement in older neighborhoods.

3. Aging or Damaged Pipes

Older homes—especially those with plumbing systems over 30 years old—are more susceptible to corrosion, cracks, and deterioration. However, even newer systems can suffer damage from burrowing animals, nearby construction, or natural disasters like floods, landslides, and earthquakes. Frozen pipes can also lead to cracking as the water inside expands.

4. Misaligned or Faulty Pipe Joints

Improper installation or shifting ground can cause pipe joints to become misaligned. This can result in persistent leaks and eventual pipe failure. Misalignment may also happen due to frozen pipe expansion, soil erosion, or seismic activity.

Sewer Pipe Camera Inspections by the Experts

If you need any more convincing about the benefits of video camera inspection, just consider that before this technology was developed, the only way to accurately diagnose these types of problems was by laying the pipes bare. Depending on where they were located in a home, that could involve ripping up floors, drilling through a cement foundation, or trenching in the yard or driveway. And if you take a moment to consider the costs and inconvenience associated with these techniques, it’s obvious that video camera inspections offer a much faster, more affordable, and more convenient solution.