November 11, 2026
When drains back up or a sewer line acts up, the problem is usually underground or inside a wall where nobody can see it. A sewer camera inspection lets a plumber look inside the pipe instead of guessing. This post covers what the inspection is, what it can find, and when it is worth scheduling one.
A sewer camera inspection is a video check of the inside of your drain or sewer line. Andrews Plumbing in Decatur, IN runs a camera on a flexible cable through the pipe to spot clogs, roots, cracks, sags or collapsed sections, then locates the problem from the surface so any repair or digging is limited to that spot.
How does a sewer camera inspection work?
A plumber feeds a waterproof camera on a flexible cable into the line and watches a live picture on a monitor as it travels through the pipe. The camera head shows the pipe walls, joints and anything sitting in the line. When it reaches a problem, the plumber can find that exact spot from the surface, which tells you where the trouble is and how deep it sits.
Camera scoping and locating is part of our sewer and drain cleaning service, and it is the first step we take before recommending any repair.
What can a sewer camera find?
A camera shows the actual condition of the pipe, so you know whether the line needs cleaning, a repair or a replacement. These are the problems it turns up most often, and what usually comes next:
| Problem | What the camera shows | Typical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Clog or buildup | Grease, debris or a blockage narrowing the pipe | Drain cleaning or hydro jetting |
| Tree roots | Roots growing in through a joint or crack | Jetting to clear them, or repair if the pipe is damaged |
| Crack or break | A split or broken section of pipe | Repair of the damaged section |
| Sag or belly | A low spot where water and waste sit | Repair of the low section |
| Collapse | A section that has caved in | Excavation and repair or replacement |
| Aging cast iron | Corrosion and buildup reducing flow | Cast iron restoration or replacement |
When do you need a sewer camera inspection?
You need one whenever the cause of a drain problem is not obvious, or before anyone digs. A single slow sink is usually a local clog. Trouble that keeps coming back, or affects more than one drain, points deeper into the system.
- Several drains back up or run slow at the same time.
- Toilets gurgle, or water comes up in the lowest drain in the house.
- The same clog returns soon after it was cleared.
- You notice sewage odors indoors or in the yard, or soggy, unusually green patches of lawn over the line.
- Your home has older cast iron drain lines with slow or reduced flow.
- A plumber recommends digging and you want to see the problem first.
Why should a camera inspection come before digging?
Because it tells you whether digging is needed at all. Many backups are blockages or root intrusion inside a pipe that is still sound, and hydro jetting or drain cleaning clears them without excavation. When the camera does show a broken or collapsed section, locating it means the dig is limited to the problem area instead of tearing up the whole yard or driveway.
If a repair is needed, our sewer line repair and replacement team handles the excavation, repair and backfill with our own equipment and crew, so one company stays with the job from the first look to cleanup.
What happens after the inspection?
You get a clear explanation of what the camera found and the options that fit it. We provide estimates within 48 hours, so you know the scope before any work begins. If sewage is backing up into the house, that is one of the problems our 24/7 emergency plumbing service covers.
Andrews Plumbing has served Decatur, IN since 1998, along with Adams, Wells and Allen County, IN and Van Wert, OH. See our service areas for the full list. With colder weather coming, also read our guide to preventing frozen pipes this winter.
The bottom line
A sewer camera inspection replaces guesswork with a clear view of the inside of your line. It shows whether a backup is a clog, roots or a damaged pipe, and it pinpoints the spot so repairs stay small. To schedule an inspection with Andrews Plumbing, call (260) 202-0286 or request an estimate online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sewer scope inspection?
A sewer scope inspection is another name for a sewer camera inspection. A camera on a flexible cable is run through the line so the plumber can see clogs, roots, cracks, sags or collapsed sections.
Can a camera inspection tell me if my sewer line needs to be replaced?
Yes. The camera shows whether the pipe is sound with a blockage inside it, damaged in one section, or failing along its length, which decides between cleaning, a repair or a replacement.
Do I need a camera inspection before a sewer line repair?
Yes. It shows what is wrong and exactly where, so the repair addresses the real problem and any digging is limited to that spot.
Can a sewer camera find tree roots?
Yes. Roots that have grown in through joints or cracks show up clearly on camera, and catching them early lets them be cleared before they cause a blockage or break the pipe.
Does Andrews Plumbing do sewer camera inspections outside Decatur, IN?
Yes. We inspect sewer lines across Adams, Wells and Allen County in Indiana, including Berne, Bluffton and Fort Wayne, plus Van Wert, OH and nearby communities.
How do I schedule a sewer camera inspection?
Call Andrews Plumbing at (260) 202-0286. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, and we offer 24/7 emergency service for sewer backups.