Top Sewer Camera Inspection Companies in Spokane, Washington Ranked

A sewer camera inspection is a modern diagnostic tool that provides a clear, inside view of your private sewer lateral-the pipe connecting your home to the city's main sewer line. This service is essential for accurately identifying the root cause of persistent plumbing problems without the guesswork and unnecessary excavation. For Spokane homeowners, understanding the condition of this critical underground asset is key to preventing emergencies, making informed repair decisions, and protecting your property's value.

Affordable Drains

2925 E Providence Ave, Spokane, WA 99207

Affordable Drains provides drain cleaning, sewer camera inspections, sump pump repairs, and hydro jetting services in Spokane, WA. They serve both residential and commercial properties throughout Spokane County and Northern Idaho. The company uses advanced tools like high-pressure hydro jetting and HD video inspections to diagnose and clear blockages effectively. With over 15 years of experience led by Manager Chris Jordan, Affordable Drains offers 24/7 emergency service to address urgent drain and sewer issues any time of day or night.

5.0

104 Reviews

Plumb Zebra

7525 E Trent Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99212

Plumb Zebra is a plumbing service provider based in Spokane, WA, offering a range of plumbing repairs and installations. Their services include water heater repair and installation, water softener installation, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, leak detection, and toilet repair. They use modern methods such as video drain inspections and intelligent leak detection to address plumbing issues effectively. Plumb Zebra has decades of experience and provides 24-hour emergency plumbing services to handle urgent pipe repairs and other plumbing needs.

4.9

330 Reviews

Spokane Rooter

spokane

Spokane Rooter is a locally owned and fully licensed plumbing company based in Spokane, WA. They specialize in trenchless sewer repair, sewer line inspections, drain cleaning, and hydro jetting services. The company offers professional sewer scope inspections with detailed video reports and expert analysis, including real repair bids. Spokane Rooter has completed over 17,000 sewer inspections and provides advanced trenchless sewer repair techniques such as pipe lining and pipe bursting to minimize property disruption. The owner personally performs inspections and ensures quick report delivery, supporting both residential and commercial clients.

4.9

232 Reviews

Inland Trenchless

10925 S Latah Ln, Spokane, WA 99223

Inland Trenchless is a plumbing contractor based in Spokane, WA, specializing in sewer line repair, sewer camera inspections, and trenchless sewer repair. They serve residential and commercial customers in Spokane and surrounding Eastern Washington communities, as well as North Idaho. The company offers both traditional open trench digging and trenchless technologies, including pipe bursting and lining, to repair and replace sewer and water lines efficiently. Inland Trenchless has over 40 years of combined experience and handles large sewer and water projects, including emergency repairs for Orangeburg pipe issues.

5.0

63 Reviews

Vietzke Drain & Rooter

1805 S Craig Rd, Airway Heights, WA 99001

Vietzke Drain & Rooter is a plumbing service provider located in Spokane, WA, specializing in drain cleaning, sewer camera inspections, and hydro jetting. They offer detailed video camera inspections to assess pipe conditions and use specialized equipment to locate sewer lines and septic tanks accurately. Their services cover sewer, septic, and storm drain maintenance and cleaning to help maintain proper functionality.

4.9

110 Reviews

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What is a Sewer Scope Inspection and Why is it Used?

Often called a sewer scope or video pipe inspection, this process involves feeding a high-resolution, waterproof camera mounted on a flexible cable into your sewer line. The camera transmits real-time video to a monitor, allowing a technician to visually inspect the interior condition of the pipe from your home to the street. In Spokane, this technology is primarily used to diagnose issues with private sewer laterals, which are the homeowner's responsibility to maintain^{1 2}.

This non-invasive method is a cornerstone of preventative maintenance. Instead of digging up your yard to locate a problem, the camera pinpoints the exact issue, its nature, and its location. This precision saves time, money, and preserves your landscaping. It transforms sewer repair from a disruptive excavation project into a targeted, often trenchless, solution.

Common Reasons Spokane Homeowners Request an Inspection

Homeowners typically schedule a sewer video inspection for several specific reasons:

• Persistent Plumbing Problems: Frequent backups in toilets or floor drains, multiple slow-draining sinks, or unexplained gurgling sounds from pipes often indicate a blockage or damage deep in the line^{1 3}.
• Foul Odors: Sewage smells inside the home or in the yard are a strong sign of a broken pipe or a blockage causing gases to escape^{4 5}.
• Pre-Purchase Home Inspection: A sewer scope is increasingly considered a standard part of a home inspection in Spokane. It reveals hidden defects that could cost thousands to repair, allowing buyers to negotiate or avoid a costly surprise after moving in^{2 6 7}.
• Preventative Maintenance: Especially for homes with large trees nearby or older clay or cast-iron pipes, a periodic inspection can reveal early signs of root intrusion, cracks, or corrosion before they cause a catastrophic failure^{8 5}.
• Verification of Repairs: After clearing a major clog or completing a repair, a follow-up inspection confirms the work was successful and the line is fully clear¹.

What the Camera Reveals Inside Your Pipes

As the camera travels through your sewer lateral, it provides a clear diagnosis. Common issues found in Spokane include:

• Root Intrusion: Tree roots seek moisture and can infiltrate pipe joints, creating a dense network that catches debris and causes severe blockages^{9 10}.
• Structural Damage: This includes cracks, fractures, or complete collapses of the pipe, often due to ground shifting, age, or corrosion^{4 3}.
• Bellies or Sags: Over time, sections of pipe can settle into the ground, creating a low spot that collects waste and water, leading to chronic clogs^{9 11}.
• Grease and Debris Buildup: Accumulated grease, scale, or non-flushable items can severely restrict the pipe's diameter and flow¹⁰.
• Offset Joints: Sections of pipe that have become misaligned, creating a ledge that catches solids.

Crucially, the inspection camera is equipped with a radio transmitter (a sonde). This allows the technician to use a locating device above ground to mark the exact location and depth of any problem in your yard, providing a precise map for any necessary repairs^{1 10}.

Understanding the Inspection Process and Report

A typical sewer camera inspection in Spokane follows a clear process. First, the technician locates a suitable access point, usually an exterior cleanout. If one isn't present, they may need to access the line through a roof vent or by temporarily removing a toilet¹². The camera is then fed into the line while the technician monitors the live feed.

You can often watch the inspection in real-time. A reputable service will walk you through what you're seeing, explaining any issues as they are discovered. Following the inspection, you should receive two key items:

1. Video Documentation: A recorded copy of the full video inspection for your records^{13 14}.
2. Diagnostic Report: A written summary detailing the pipe's material, condition, the location and description of any defects, and recommended repair options (such as hydro-jetting, spot repair, or pipe lining)^{13 1}.

This report is an invaluable document for repair estimates, city permits (if major work is needed), and future reference.

Cost Factors for Sewer Inspections in Spokane

The cost of a sewer line camera inspection in Spokane can vary based on several factors, but it is generally an affordable diagnostic tool. Basic inspections for a standard residential line often range from $150 to $300^{1 15 16}. More complex inspections, such as for longer lines, lines with difficult access, or commercial properties, can range from $300 to $1,000^{17 16}.

Key factors influencing price include:

• Length of the Line: Longer lines require more camera cable and time.
• Accessibility: If a cleanout needs to be installed or a toilet pulled, the cost will increase¹².
• Additional Services: Fees may apply for video recording, a detailed written report, or precise above-ground locating and marking of issues¹⁵.
• Time of Service: Emergency or after-hours inspections typically incur a premium¹².

It's important to view this inspection not as an added expense, but as an investment that can prevent far more costly and invasive repairs down the line by accurately identifying the problem.

Choosing a Service for Your Video Pipe Inspection

When looking for a provider, seek out licensed plumbing professionals with specific experience in sewer camera diagnostics. Ask if they provide the recorded video and a written report. Inquire about their process for locating problems underground and their recommendations for next steps if an issue is found. A trustworthy technician will be able to clearly explain their findings and the various repair options available, from traditional excavation to modern trenchless methods.

Frequently asked questions

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