Top Sewer Camera Inspection Companies in Spokane, Washington Ranked

Sewer camera inspection plumbers use high-resolution video equipment to look inside your underground drains and sewer lateral without digging up your yard. It's the fastest, least invasive way to pinpoint blockages, breaks, roots, and other damage. Use Search a Plumber to browse local providers, compare services and reviews, and contact companies directly for quotes.

What is a sewer camera inspection?

A sewer camera inspection is a diagnostic service where a plumber feeds a waterproof camera through a cleanout, drain, or toilet line to visually assess the inside of your pipes. The live video shows what's happening underground in real time-roots entering at joints, separated pipes, "bellies" where water pools, grease buildup, corrosion, or foreign objects.

Because the camera travels inside the pipe, it provides targeted, visual proof of the problem. Many plumbers also pair the camera with a small transmitter (called a sonde) that works with a surface locator. This lets them mark the exact spot and depth of a defect from above ground, which is invaluable if repairs are needed later.

Why sewer camera inspections matter

• Prevent surprise failures: Small cracks or root intrusions can turn into sewage backups and expensive excavation. Early detection lets you plan repairs before an emergency.
• Smarter repairs: Video evidence helps you avoid guesswork. Instead of replacing an entire line, a contractor may only need to fix a specific section.
• Real estate confidence: Buyers and sellers commonly order inspections during escrow to avoid post-closing disputes and unexpected costs.
• Renovation planning: If you're adding a bathroom, finishing a basement, or building an ADU, confirming your sewer capacity and condition can prevent costly rework.
• Documentation: Many pros provide a recording and written summary you can share with other contractors or keep for future reference.

Signs you might need a sewer camera inspection

• Recurring slow drains or gurgling, especially in multiple fixtures at once
• Sewer odors in the home or yard
• Frequent backups after rain (possible root intrusion or line defects)
• Wet or unusually green patches in the yard, sinkholes, or settling
• Older homes (pre-1980) with clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg pipe
• Mature trees near the sewer route
• Buying or selling a home-especially where lateral compliance is required
• Previous patch repairs, or evidence of "bellies" or offsets on old reports

Ready to compare local pros? It's quick and free.

What to expect during an inspection

• Scheduling: Many companies can book within a few days. If you're in escrow, let the plumber know your contingency deadline so they can prioritize.
• On-site time: Most residential inspections take 45-120 minutes. Add time if access is difficult, there are multiple cleanouts, or additional lines (kitchen, laundry) are checked.
• Access point: The plumber will typically use an exterior cleanout. If none exists, they may pull a toilet or access a roof vent-these options can add time and cost.
• Process:
  • Initial drain check to ensure the line is passable.
  • Camera insertion and slow push through the line while recording.
  • Locating any defects from the surface and marking the ground if requested.
  • Review of findings with you on-site, often with playback on a monitor.
• Deliverables: Ask for a cloud link or file of the video, still photos, and a written summary with depth/locations of any issues so you have clear documentation.

Limitations to know

• Heavy blockages can prevent the camera from passing. The plumber may recommend drain cleaning or hydro jetting first, then re-inspection.
• Cameras show inside the pipe only; they don't measure flow rates or soil conditions. For odors or venting issues, additional tests may be needed.

Key components and technology

• Camera head: A high-resolution, self-leveling camera with LED lights to illuminate pipe interiors.
• Push rod or crawler: Stiff cable for residential lines; motorized crawler systems for larger commercial pipes.
• Sonde transmitter and locator: The sonde in the camera head emits a signal that's tracked from the surface to pinpoint defects and depth.
• Monitor and recorder: A screen for live viewing and a recorder for saving video and stills.
• Cleanout fittings and retrieval tools: Adapters, guides, and tools to help navigate bends and recover the camera if it snags.

Typical costs and what affects them

Every market is different, but here's what homeowners commonly see for residential sewer camera inspections:

• Baseline inspection: Often $175-$500 for a single residential line with accessible cleanout and digital recording.
• Line locating and depth marking: Sometimes included; if billed separately, $50-$200 depending on length and site complexity.
• Drain cleaning before inspection: $100-$400 for snaking; $250-$600+ for hydro jetting if needed to clear heavy roots/grease so the camera can pass.
• Multiple lines or additional structures (ADU, detached garage): Add $50-$200 per extra line.
• Difficult access (no cleanout, roof access, toilet pull/reinstall): $75-$250 additional.
• Commercial properties or large-diameter pipe: $500-$1,200+ due to specialized equipment and time.

What drives price:

• Access and length of run
• Pipe material and condition (rooted or collapsed lines take longer)
• Whether surface locating and ground marking are included
• Deliverables (annotated report vs. video-only)
• Emergency/after-hours requests and travel distance

Tip: When you compare quotes on Search a Plumber, ask providers to price the same scope so you can make an apples-to-apples decision.

How to choose a sewer camera inspection plumber

• Licensing and insurance: Ask for the state plumbing license number and proof of liability coverage. Requirements vary by state and municipality.
• Relevant experience: Look for plumbers who routinely perform camera inspections in homes similar to yours (older clay/cast iron, long laterals, hilly lots).
• Equipment quality: Ask about camera resolution, self-leveling heads, and whether they provide line locating and depth readings. Clear, well-lit footage matters.
• Deliverables: Insist on a shareable video file plus a written summary. If you're in escrow, ask for quick turnaround and labeled findings.
• Reputation: Read customer reviews for communication, punctuality, cleanliness, and thoroughness, not just price.
• Transparency: A trustworthy pro will explain limitations, what's included, and how they handle surprises (like a line that needs cleaning first).

Smart ways to compare quotes

• Standardize the scope you request:
  • One main sewer lateral from house to property line or connection point
  • Include surface locating and depth at any defects
  • Provide digital video and still photos
  • Written summary with distances from the cleanout
  • Ground marking where permitted
• Clarify access: Tell them if you have an exterior cleanout. If not, ask for pricing to pull/reinstall a toilet or for roof access.
• Ask about reinspection fees: If cleaning is required before video, will the reinspection be discounted?
• Request a sample report: A good provider can show you what the deliverables look like.
• Confirm time windows and arrival updates: Helpful during escrow or work hours.

Questions to ask before you hire

• Are you a licensed plumbing contractor in this state? What is your license number?
• What's included in the price-locating, depth readings, still photos, written summary, ground markings?
• Will I receive a shareable video file the same day?
• If the camera can't pass due to a blockage, how do you handle cleaning and reinspection costs?
• Do you carry liability insurance and, if applicable, workers' compensation?
• How do you mark and document the exact location of defects for future repairs?
• What's your plan if the camera gets stuck? Who is responsible for retrieval costs?
• Can you meet real estate contingency deadlines? What is your typical turnaround for reports?

Preparation tips for homeowners and buyers

• Locate your cleanout in advance if possible (often near an exterior wall, driveway, or landscaping bed). If you can't find one, let the plumber know.
• Clear a path to the access point and move vehicles or lawn equipment as needed.
• Avoid running water during the inspection so the camera has a clear view.
• Know your property boundaries and utilities; have any site plans handy.
• Secure pets and plan for brief water shutoffs if a toilet must be removed.
• Ask your agent or seller for prior sewer reports if you're in escrow; provide them to the plumber for context.

After the inspection: understanding results and next steps

Your report may use common defect terms:

• Root intrusion: Roots entering at joints or cracks; often managed with jetting and periodic maintenance, but heavy intrusion usually indicates structural defects.
• Offset joint: Sections of pipe have shifted; can snag debris and cause recurring clogs.
• Belly or sag: A low spot where water pools; may increase buildup and backups.
• Cracks, holes, or fractures: Structural damage that can allow soil and roots in, or wastewater out.
• Grease or scale: Buildup narrowing the pipe; jetting can restore flow.
• Corrosion: Cast iron lines can scale and corrode over time, sometimes flaking internally.

Possible next steps:

• Maintenance cleaning (snaking or hydro jetting) followed by reinspection to confirm the line's condition.
• Spot repair or full-line replacement if defects are severe.
• Trenchless options (pipe bursting or cured-in-place liner) where local codes, line condition, and access allow.

Keep your video and written summary; they're a valuable baseline for future comparisons or for a second opinion.

Related services you might consider

• Hydro jetting: High-pressure water cleans grease, scale, and roots so the camera can see clearly-or to maintain flow after repairs.
• Sewer line locating: Maps the route and depth of the pipe; critical before digging or building.
• Smoke or dye testing: Helpful for odor issues or to locate cross-connections and leaks in some scenarios.
• Septic system inspection: If you're on septic rather than city sewer, schedule a separate evaluation of the tank and leach field.

Why use Search a Plumber

Search a Plumber is a simple way to find sewer camera inspection plumbers near you, compare their services, and reach out for quotes-fast. Providers manage their own profiles and information. Because this is a directory and not a contractor service, we don't pre-vet companies or perform work; always verify licensing, insurance, and scope before you hire.

Timeline at a glance

• Contact to appointment: Often 1-5 business days; faster for urgent issues if schedule allows.
• On-site inspection: Typically 45-120 minutes for a single line.
• Report delivery: Same-day video and a brief summary are common; detailed write-ups may take 24-48 hours.
• If cleaning is needed: Add time for clearing the line and a follow-up camera pass.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Hiring based on price alone without confirming deliverables and locating
• Skipping the inspection when buying an older home or one with large trees
• Forgetting to ask how the pro handles blocked lines or stuck cameras
• Not getting the video file; a verbal summary isn't enough for future work
• Failing to plan access when there's no exterior cleanout

The bottom line

A sewer camera inspection gives you proof-clear visuals and distances-so you can make confident decisions about maintenance, repairs, or a home purchase. Use Search a Plumber to explore nearby sewer camera inspection plumbers, compare their offerings, and reach out for quotes with confidence.

Frequently asked questions