Top Sewer Camera Inspection Companies in San Antonio, Texas Ranked

A sewer camera inspection is a modern diagnostic tool that provides a clear, inside view of your underground sewer and drain lines. This non-invasive video inspection is crucial for accurately identifying hidden problems like blockages, cracks, or root intrusion without the need for disruptive digging. For San Antonio homeowners, understanding the condition of these private lateral lines is key to preventing costly emergencies and making informed repair decisions. This guide will help you understand the process, benefits, and how to connect with local professionals who offer this essential service.

Chambliss Plumbing Company

1875 E Borgfeld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78260

Chambliss Plumbing Company is a family-owned plumbing business serving San Antonio, TX, and nearby communities since 1991. They offer a wide range of residential plumbing services including water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, leak detection, and sewer camera inspections. The company is a certified Rinnai ACE dealer with plumbers trained in multiple levels of Rinnai tankless water heater expertise. Chambliss Plumbing uses advanced equipment for leak detection and provides hydro jetting to clear clogged drains. With over 30 years of experience, they maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and provide emergency service when needed.

5.0

1.4k Reviews

The Bearded Plumber

san antonio

The Bearded Plumber is a full-service plumbing company based in San Antonio, TX, offering both residential and commercial plumbing solutions. Founded by Jayson Jimenez, who brings a lifetime of industry experience, the company specializes in sewer camera inspections, drain cleaning, sewer line repairs, trenchless sewer repair, leak detection, and repiping services. They use advanced technology such as hydrostatic testing, camera pinpointing, and multifrequency locators to accurately diagnose and repair plumbing issues, including tunneling beneath foundations for precise sewer repairs. The Bearded Plumber is also certified to provide professional backflow plumbing services.

5.0

625 Reviews

Plumbit Plumbing Services

12419 Stillwater Creek, San Antonio, TX 78254

Plumbit Plumbing Services is a plumbing company located in San Antonio, TX. They offer a wide range of plumbing services including sewer camera inspections, water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, and leak detection. With over 30 years of experience, Plumbit combines high-quality parts and equipment with skilled workmanship to address various plumbing needs. Their team is composed of qualified experts who focus on delivering reliable solutions for both residential and commercial clients in the San Antonio area.

5.0

493 Reviews

Olde Town Plumbing

28550 I-10 Suite 2, Boerne, TX 78006

Olde Town Plumbing is a locally owned and operated plumbing company serving San Antonio, TX, and nearby areas including Boerne and the Texas Hill Country. They offer a wide range of plumbing services such as sewer camera inspections, water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, leak detection, repiping, gas line installation, toilet repair, and garbage disposal repair. The company is known for handling both residential and commercial plumbing needs, including slab leak repairs and whole-house repipes using PEX tubing. Olde Town Plumbing has been recognized by city inspectors and has maintained a strong reputation over the past four years. They also provide 24/7 emergency plumbing services, including after-hours and weekend availability.

5.0

419 Reviews

Olde Town Plumbing

128 W Bandera Rd, Boerne, TX 78006

Olde Town Plumbing is a licensed plumbing company serving San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding Kendall County area. They offer a wide range of plumbing services including sewer camera inspections, water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, sewer line repair, leak detection, repiping, gas line installation, and garbage disposal repair. The company uses specialized video equipment for leak detection and sewer line issues, ensuring precise diagnostics and repairs. With over 25 years of experience, Olde Town Plumbing provides 24-hour emergency plumbing services to address urgent plumbing problems any time of day or night.

5.0

338 Reviews

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What is a Sewer Video Inspection?

A sewer video inspection, also known as a drain line camera inspection or sewer scope, involves a plumbing specialist inserting a flexible, waterproof cable with a high-resolution camera into your main sewer line cleanout. The camera transmits real-time video footage to a monitor, allowing the technician to visually inspect the interior condition of the pipes. This process reveals exactly what's happening underground, from the point where your home's drains converge to the connection with the city's main sewer line or your private septic system ^{1 2}.

This technology has revolutionized plumbing diagnostics. Instead of guessing the location or cause of a problem and resorting to exploratory excavation, a video pipe inspection provides definitive evidence. The recorded video and accompanying report become invaluable documents that detail the pipe's material, the precise location of any defects (measured in feet from the access point), and the severity of issues like cracks, sags, or blockages ^{1 3}.

Common Reasons to Schedule an Inspection in San Antonio

Homeowners and buyers in San Antonio seek out sewer scoping services for several proactive and reactive reasons. Recognizing these signs can save you from significant property damage and repair expenses.

Reacting to Plumbing Problems:

• Persistent Slow Drains or Recurring Clogs: If multiple drains in your home are slow or you're frequently dealing with clogs, the issue likely lies deep within the main sewer line, not in individual branch lines.
• Sewage Backups: The most urgent sign is sewage backing up into toilets, tubs, or floor drains. This indicates a severe blockage or a collapsed pipe that requires immediate diagnosis ^{1 4}.
• Foul Odors: Unexplained sewer smells in your yard or home can signal a crack or break in the underground line, allowing gases to escape.
• Unexplained Wet Spots or Lush Patches in Yard: A leaking sewer line can saturate the soil, creating soggy areas or causing grass to grow unusually green and thick.

Proactive Property Management:

• Home Purchase (Pre-Purchase Inspection): This is one of the smartest investments a homebuyer can make. A sewer camera inspection can reveal hidden defects that are not uncovered during a standard home inspection, potentially saving you thousands in unexpected repairs after closing ^{5 6}.
• Planning Major Landscaping or Construction: Before installing a pool, building an addition, or planting large trees, it's wise to know the exact location and condition of your sewer line to avoid damaging it.
• Assessing an Older Home: San Antonio has many beautiful older homes. If your property is several decades old, the original sewer lines made of clay tile or cast iron may be nearing the end of their lifespan and are susceptible to root intrusion and corrosion ^{7 8}.
• Verifying New Construction or Recent Repairs: After new home construction or a major sewer repair, an inspection can confirm the lines are clear of debris and properly connected.

What a Sewer Camera Can Reveal in Your Pipes

The high-definition footage from a sewer scope inspection can identify a wide range of common and serious issues affecting San Antonio properties.

• Root Intrusion: This is a prevalent problem in our area. Small tree and shrub roots seek moisture and can infiltrate pipes through tiny cracks or loose joints. Once inside, they grow rapidly, creating a dense, net-like blockage that traps waste and can eventually crack the pipe ^{7 9}.
• Pipe Damage and Deterioration: The camera can spot cracks, fractures, and holes caused by shifting soil, freezing (less common here), corrosion, or age. It can also identify completely collapsed sections of pipe that require urgent repair.
• Pipe Misalignment and Bellies: A "belly" or sag is a low spot in the pipe where waste and water collect instead of flowing freely. This can lead to recurring clogs and sediment buildup. Misaligned joints from improper installation or ground movement can also cause leaks and blockages ^{1 5}.
• Grease and Debris Blockages: Accumulated grease, fats, and oils from household drains can solidify into massive blockages. The inspection can also spot foreign objects like toys, wipes (even "flushable" ones), or construction debris that shouldn't be in the line ⁸.
• Corrosion and Scaling: In older metal pipes, especially galvanized steel or cast iron, internal corrosion can severely reduce the pipe diameter. Mineral scale buildup can also restrict flow over time.
• Joint Separation: The seals between pipe sections can fail, creating gaps that leak wastewater into the surrounding soil and allow roots and dirt to enter the pipe.

Understanding Your Inspection Report

A professional sewer camera inspection provides more than just a quick look. Reputable companies will supply a comprehensive report that serves as a permanent record of your line's health.

1. Video Recording: The entire inspection is recorded. You should be able to view the footage in real-time with the technician, who will narrate what they are seeing.
2. Detailed Written Summary: The report will catalog every defect observed, noting the type of issue (e.g., "root intrusion at 4 o'clock position"), its severity, and its exact distance from the access point.
3. Location Mapping: Some reports include a schematic drawing that maps the pipe's path and the location of defects relative to your home's footprint, which is incredibly useful for planning repairs.
4. Photo and Video Clips: Key findings are often highlighted with still images or short video clips embedded in the report ^{2 3}.
5. Recommendations: Based on the findings, the report should outline the recommended next steps, whether it's a simple hydro-jetting to clear roots, a trenchless pipe lining solution, or a more traditional excavation and replacement.

This report is a powerful tool. For homeowners, it guides efficient repairs. For buyers, it can be used to negotiate repairs or a price adjustment with the seller.

Cost of Sewer Camera Inspections in San Antonio

The cost for a sewer line video inspection in San Antonio varies based on the property's size, the length and accessibility of the line, and the complexity of the reporting. However, it is generally a cost-effective diagnostic tool compared to the expense of unnecessary or incorrect repairs.

• Basic Inspection: For a standard residential inspection with a straightforward access point and basic reporting, prices can range from $100 to $300 ¹⁰.
• Standard Detailed Inspection: A more comprehensive inspection, which is most common for home purchases or diagnosing specific problems, typically falls in the range of $250 to $500. This usually includes a detailed report with video and photos ¹⁰.
• Complex or Large Property Inspections: For larger homes, long sewer runs, or properties with difficult access (requiring additional cleanout installation), costs can range from $500 to $800 or more ¹⁰.

It's important to view this cost as an investment. The national average for a full sewer line replacement can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. An inspection costing a few hundred dollars can accurately diagnose a problem, allowing for a targeted, often less expensive repair like trenchless lining, or it can provide peace of mind that your lines are clear ^{11 10}.

The Critical Importance for San Antonio Homeowners

Why is this specific service so important? San Antonio's soil, climate, and aging infrastructure create a perfect environment for sewer line issues. Clay soil expands and contracts, putting stress on pipes. Our lush landscaping often means mature trees with extensive root systems. An inspection provides certainty.

• Prevents Major Damage: Identifying a small crack or early root intrusion allows you to address it before it escalates into a collapsed pipe and a sewage backup in your home.
• Enables Targeted, Trenchless Repairs: Many problems discovered by a camera, like isolated cracks or root-filled sections, can be repaired using "no-dig" methods like pipe lining or pipe bursting. These solutions are only possible with a precise camera diagnosis and are far less disruptive and often more affordable than full excavation ^{1 11}.
• Saves Money Long-Term: By avoiding large-scale emergency repairs and enabling more efficient solutions, the upfront cost of an inspection pays for itself many times over. For home buyers, it is essential due diligence.

Frequently asked questions

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