Sewer Camera Inspection — See Before You Dig
Before any sewer line work in the Denver metro, the first step isn't a shovel — it's a camera. A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof video camera through your drain line so we can see exactly what's happening: root intrusion, pipe collapse, grease buildup, cracked fittings, or a sewer cleanout blockage. You get footage, not guesswork.
What a Sewer Camera Actually Shows
A sewer camera is a flexible rod with a high-resolution camera head that transmits live video back to a monitor. We feed it through a cleanout or drain access point and push it through the full length of your sewer line — typically 50 to 100 feet — recording the entire run. Here's what we're looking for: root intrusion from nearby trees, pipe bellying where sections have sunk and trap water, offset joints where pipes have separated, grease or scale buildup that narrows flow, and collapsed sections that block everything. Sewer fly larvae showing up in your drains is often a sign of standing water in a belly — the camera confirms it. We also check for water in sewer lines that shouldn't be there, which can indicate a cross-connection or a broken lateral. Without the camera, none of this is visible. Any contractor who skips inspection and goes straight to a repair quote is guessing with your money.
When You Actually Need an Inspection
Not every slow drain needs a camera. Honestly, if you've got one slow fixture and the rest of the house drains fine, that's likely a localized clog — a standard drain cleaning handles it. You need a sewer camera inspection when: multiple drains are slow or backing up at the same time, you're buying or selling a home and want to know the pipe condition before closing, you've had repeat clogs in the same line despite cleaning, you're dealing with sewage odors that won't go away, or your yard has soft or wet spots over the sewer line path with no rainfall explanation. Tree roots are the most common culprit in Colorado's Front Range. Older clay and Orangeburg pipes installed before the 1980s crack and invite root growth. The camera tells us if we're looking at annual maintenance cleaning or a full sewer line repair. That difference in diagnosis saves you from an unnecessary replacement.
Sewer Camera vs. Just Cleaning the Line
A lot of companies will clean out a sewer line without ever looking at what caused the blockage. That works fine for a one-time grease clog. It doesn't work for a collapsed pipe, a severe root infestation, or a belly that keeps collecting debris. Fixing a sewer line without knowing what's wrong is like treating symptoms without a diagnosis. We use sewer cameras specifically because it changes the repair recommendation. If the pipe is structurally sound and just needs clearing, we clean it. If there's a crack or collapse, repairing the sewer line correctly means knowing exactly where and how bad it is before we quote the job. We don't subcontract camera work. The plumber who runs the inspection is the same one who explains what's on screen and discusses your options. No middlemen, no upsell pressure from someone working on commission.
Need Sewer Camera Inspection?
Contact Deft Plumbing for a free, upfront quote. No surprises, no hidden fees. We're licensed, bonded, and insured for your protection.
Call (720) 880-8064 or request a free estimate online.
Related Services
Shower Drain — Shower drain clogged? Deft Plumbing clears blockages fast — no call-out fee, upfront flat-rate pricing. Licensed in CO. Free estimate: (720) 880-8064.Service Areas
We provide sewer camera inspection services across the Denver metro area, including Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Broomfield, and more.