Madison Heights’ Trusted Choice
Sewer Camera Inspection Services in Madison Heights, MI
Your drains are backing up again. The plumber you called last month said they cleared the clog, but here you are dealing with the same problem. You’re tired of guessing what’s actually wrong down there.
Here’s the thing: most drain problems aren’t solved because nobody actually looks at what’s happening inside your pipes. Plumbers snake the drain, water flows for a while, then the problem comes back. Without seeing inside your pipes, they’re just guessing.
At Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing, we don’t guess. We use professional sewer cameras to show you exactly what’s happening inside your drain and sewer lines. You watch the screen with us. We record the video and give you a copy. No mysteries, no assumptions, no unnecessary work.
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Got a plumbing issue or need a quote? We’re here to help. Contact Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing today for a no-obligation consultation.
What Is Sewer Camera Inspection?
Sewer camera inspection means running a waterproof video camera through your drain or sewer lines to see what’s inside. The camera is attached to a flexible cable that we feed through your pipes. As it travels, it records high-definition video of everything it sees.
The camera has powerful LED lights so we can see clearly even in dark pipes full of water. It sends live video back to a monitor where you and our plumber watch together. We can see cracks, breaks, blockages, root intrusion, corrosion, and anything else affecting your pipes.
The camera marks distance as it travels. So when we find a problem, we know exactly how many feet from the entry point it’s located. This lets us dig or cut in the right spot instead of tearing up your whole yard or basement floor searching.
You get a copy of the video on a USB drive. Keep it for your records, show it to your insurance company, or use it when selling your home. It’s permanent documentation of your pipe condition.
Why Madison Heights Homes Need Camera Inspections
Madison Heights has older homes. If you live in Red Oaks, Greenlawn, or most neighborhoods around Oakland Mall, your house was probably built between 1950 and 1980. That means your sewer line is 45 to 75 years old.
The sewer pipes installed back then were cast iron or clay tile. Cast iron corrodes from the inside. After 50 years, it develops holes, cracks, and weak spots. Clay tile pipes crack at the joints and separate as soil shifts.
The mature trees throughout Madison Heights make things worse. Tree roots search for water. Your sewer line is full of it. Roots enter through tiny cracks or loose joints, then grow into thick masses that block flow and crack pipes.
Without a camera, plumbers can’t see this damage. They snake out the roots temporarily, but roots grow back quickly. They patch one crack, but there are three more they didn’t know about. The problems keep recurring because the actual issues go undiagnosed.
We’ve camera-inspected hundreds of sewer lines in Madison Heights. We know what fails in these older systems and where the common problem spots are located.
When You Need a Camera Inspection
Buying an older home in Madison Heights. Before you close, know what condition the sewer line is in. A $300 camera inspection can reveal a $10,000 sewer replacement need. Use that information to negotiate with the seller or budget for future repairs.
Recurring drain clogs in the same location. If you’re calling a plumber every few months for the same clog, there’s an underlying problem. Tree roots, a broken pipe, or improper slope. The camera shows you what’s really going on.
Multiple drains backing up at once. This indicates a main sewer line problem. The camera pinpoints where the blockage or damage is located so we can fix the right spot.
Slow drains throughout your house. If everything drains slowly even after cleaning, you might have severe buildup, root intrusion, or a bellied pipe. The camera reveals which.
Before and after major sewer work. Before repairing or replacing a sewer line, camera inspection documents what’s wrong. After the work, another inspection verifies it was done correctly. This is especially important with trenchless repairs where you can’t see the work.
Sewage smell with no visible source. If you smell sewer gas but can’t find a leak, you might have a cracked pipe underground. The camera finds it.
Planning basement renovations. Before finishing your basement or adding a bathroom, inspect the drains. Make sure they can handle additional load and that they’re not about to fail.
Tree roots are a known problem. If you’ve had roots cleared before, periodic camera inspections show how quickly they’re growing back and when you need service again.
What the Camera Inspection Shows
Tree Root Intrusion
Roots show up clearly on camera. We can see how extensive the root mass is, exactly where it entered the pipe, and whether it’s caused cracks or breaks. This tells us if simple root cutting will work or if you need pipe repair.
Pipe Cracks and Breaks
Cracks range from hairline fractures to complete breaks. The camera shows the severity. Small cracks might not need immediate attention. Large cracks or breaks mean water is leaking out (and soil is coming in), which requires repair.
Collapsed or Crushed Pipes
Sometimes pipes collapse completely. This happens with old clay tile or Orangeburg pipe (that tar paper stuff they used in the 50s and 60s). When we see collapsed sections on camera, we know trenchless repair won’t work. You need excavation and replacement.
Offset Joints
Pipes connect at joints. As soil shifts or settles, these joints can separate. The camera shows offset joints clearly. Slight offsets might just catch debris. Severe offsets mean the pipe has separated and needs repair.
Bellied or Sagging Pipes
A bellied pipe has a low spot where it sags. Water and waste collect in the belly instead of flowing through. The camera shows these low spots. We can measure how severe the belly is and whether it needs correction.
Corrosion and Deterioration
Old cast iron pipes corrode from inside. The camera shows how bad the corrosion is, whether the pipe wall is thin and brittle, and how much longer the pipe might last before it fails.
Scale and Mineral Buildup
Hard water leaves mineral deposits that build up on pipe walls over time. Severe buildup restricts flow. The camera shows how much buildup you have and whether cleaning or replacement makes more sense.
Grease Accumulation
Kitchen drain grease coats pipe walls and hardens. Over time, it builds up thick enough to restrict flow. The camera shows grease buildup clearly. We can tell if jetting will remove it or if the buildup is too hardened.
Foreign Objects
You’d be surprised what ends up in sewer lines. Toys, jewelry, construction debris, rags, and other objects that cause blockages. The camera finds them and shows us what we’re dealing with.
Improper Pipe Slope
Sewer lines need proper slope for waste to flow. If pipes are installed too flat or even uphill in spots, waste doesn’t flow correctly. The camera can identify slope issues, though we usually confirm with laser levels.
Our Camera Inspection Process
Step 1: Locate the Best Access Point
We find the closest cleanout or access point to your sewer line. Most homes have a cleanout somewhere in the basement or outside near the foundation. If there’s no cleanout, we might access through a floor drain or by removing a toilet.
Step 2: Set Up Equipment
We connect the camera to our monitor system. Everything is portable. We bring it all to the access point and set up quickly.
Step 3: Insert the Camera
The camera cable is flexible. It bends around corners and travels through pipes without damaging anything. We feed it into the line slowly and carefully.
Step 4: Record Video and Take Notes
As the camera travels, we record continuous video. We also mark specific problems we find. The camera’s distance counter tells us exactly how far from the access point each issue is located.
Step 5: Review Findings Together
You watch the video with us in real time. We pause at problem areas and explain what you’re seeing. We don’t use technical jargon. We point out roots, cracks, or whatever issues exist in plain English.
Step 6: Provide Video Copy and Report
You get the video on a USB drive. We also provide a written report listing problems found, their locations (distance from access point), and our recommendations for addressing them.
Step 7: Discuss Options and Costs
Based on what we found, we explain your repair or replacement options. We give you price estimates for the work. You decide what to do and when.
How Much Does Camera Inspection Cost?
Standard residential camera inspection costs $150 to $350 depending on the length of line inspected and access difficulty.
Inspections included with repair work are often discounted or free. If you’re hiring us to fix a drain or sewer problem, we’ll often include the camera inspection at no extra charge because we need to see what we’re fixing anyway.
Commercial inspections or unusually long inspection runs cost more. A typical residential main line is 40 to 100 feet. Commercial properties or homes with very long sewer runs require more time.
Emergency inspections after hours cost more, but sometimes you need answers immediately to decide how to proceed.
The camera inspection cost is minimal compared to what it saves you. Digging up your yard in the wrong spot because you’re guessing where the problem is costs way more than paying for an inspection first.
Camera Inspection for Home Buyers
Buying a home in Madison Heights? Get the sewer line inspected.
Standard home inspections don’t include sewer camera inspection. The home inspector checks fixtures and drains, but they don’t look inside your pipes. Hidden sewer problems can cost $5,000 to $15,000 to fix.
We inspect sewer lines for home buyers every week. About 30% of the time, we find significant problems that weren’t disclosed. Collapsed pipes, severe root intrusion, or damage that will require replacement soon.
Use that information. Negotiate with the seller to fix it before closing, ask for a credit at closing, or factor the repair cost into your offer price. Don’t buy a house and get surprised by a massive sewer repair bill three months later.
Many real estate agents now recommend sewer inspections on any home built before 1990. It’s smart protection for a major purchase.
Why Camera Inspection Beats Guesswork
Traditional drain cleaning is reactive. You call when there’s a problem. The plumber snakes it out. Problem solved temporarily. Then it comes back and you call again.
Camera inspection is proactive. We identify the actual cause. Tree roots entering at a specific joint. A crack 23 feet from your house. A bellied section 15 feet from the street. Now we know what to fix permanently.
Without the camera, plumbers often recommend complete sewer line replacement because they don’t know what’s actually wrong. With the camera, we can see that maybe only a 10-foot section needs replacement, or that pipe lining will solve the problem. You spend less money fixing what actually needs fixing.
The camera also prevents unnecessary work. If your drain is slow and we camera it and find just grease buildup, we hydro jet the grease away. We don’t sell you a sewer replacement you don’t need.
What Happens After the Inspection
We explain what we found and recommend solutions. Sometimes it’s simple. Clean out roots, hydro jet away buildup, clear a blockage. You’re done.
Sometimes it’s more involved. Pipe lining for cracks, spot repairs for broken sections, or complete replacement if the line is beyond saving. We explain options and costs for each.
You’re not pressured to decide immediately. Take the video home. Think about it. Get a second opinion if you want. The video documentation speaks for itself.
Many customers use camera inspection as a diagnostic tool, then schedule repairs later when it’s convenient or when they’ve budgeted for it. That’s fine. At least you know what needs to be done and can plan accordingly.
Emergency Camera Inspections
Sewage backing up into your house is an emergency. You need to know what’s wrong immediately to decide how to fix it.
We provide 24/7 camera inspection services. When you call with a backup, we bring the camera. We find the blockage or break, clear the immediate problem if possible, and show you what caused it. Then you can make informed decisions about permanent repairs.
Emergency inspections cost more than scheduled ones, but when you’re standing in sewage at 11 PM, you need answers now, not next Tuesday.
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Contact Info
Location
33044 Mound Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Phone
586-942-3330
Our Services
Our Plumbing Services in Sterling Heights
Drain Cleaning
Clogged drains are more than just an inconvenience—they can lead to costly damage if left untreated. Our expert plumbers use advanced tools to quickly and effectively remove blockages in sinks, tubs, and toilets. With routine drain cleaning, you can avoid backups and ensure your system flows smoothly year-round.
Jetting
When standard cleaning isn’t enough, high-pressure jetting gets the job done. We use state-of-the-art equipment to blast away grease, sludge, roots, and debris from inside your pipes. This powerful method not only clears current blockages but also helps prevent future clogs, making it an ideal solution for long-term plumbing health.
Plumbing
From leak repairs to repiping, our licensed plumbers provide reliable solutions tailored to your home or business needs. We offer a full spectrum of services, including drain cleaning, water heater installation, and emergency repairs, ensuring your system runs efficiently and reliably. Trust our experienced team for professional, high-quality plumbing work every time.
Sewer Repairs & Replacement
Sewer problems can disrupt your property and pose serious health risks if not handled quickly. At Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing, we specialize in repairing and replacing damaged sewer lines using both traditional and trenchless methods. Whether it’s root intrusion, cracked pipes, or a collapsed line, our team diagnoses the issue with precision and provides the most cost-effective, long-term solution.
Floor Breaks
Some plumbing problems hide beneath concrete floors and require specialized access. Our expert floor break services provide safe, controlled openings to reach underground pipes without unnecessary damage. Using professional-grade cutting equipment, we minimize dust, debris, and disruption while exposing only the exact area that needs repair.
Camera Inspections with Video
When it comes to plumbing problems, seeing is believing. Our advanced camera inspections provide a real-time, high-definition look inside your pipes, allowing us to identify clogs, cracks, leaks, or root intrusions with pinpoint accuracy. This non-invasive technology eliminates guesswork and prevents unnecessary digging or costly trial-and-error repairs.
Leak Detection
Leaks often remain hidden until they cause expensive water damage, mold growth, or high utility bills. Our leak detection service uses state-of-the-art technology—including electronic listening devices, moisture meters, and thermal imaging—to pinpoint leaks quickly without tearing into walls, floors, or ceilings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sewer Camera Inspection in Madison Heights
Q1. How long does a camera inspection take?
Most residential inspections take 30 minutes to an hour. We’re inspecting your main sewer line from the house to the street connection, typically 40 to 100 feet of pipe. If we find problems that need closer examination or if we’re inspecting multiple lines, it takes longer. Commercial inspections or very long sewer runs can take 2-3 hours. We’ll give you a time estimate when you schedule.
Q2. Will the camera damage my pipes?
No. The camera is designed specifically for pipe inspection. It’s smooth, waterproof, and flexible. It bends around corners and travels through pipes without scratching or damaging anything. We’ve inspected thousands of lines without causing damage. Even old, fragile pipes handle the camera fine because we advance it slowly and carefully.
Q3. Can you inspect pipes with water in them?
Yes, that’s actually normal. Sewer lines usually have some water standing in them, and the camera works fine underwater. The LED lights are bright enough to see clearly through water. If the line is completely full and flowing, we might not get great video, but typical conditions don’t prevent good inspection.
Q4. What if you can’t get the camera all the way through?
Sometimes we hit a complete blockage or collapsed section that stops the camera. We document how far we got and what we found up to that point. Often, knowing there’s a complete blockage 30 feet from the house is useful information even if we can’t see past it. After clearing the blockage, we can run the camera again to inspect the rest of the line if needed.
Q5. Do I really need a camera inspection if my drains are working fine?
For older homes in Madison Heights, yes, periodic inspection is smart preventive maintenance. Your drains might be working now, but developing cracks, root intrusion, or corrosion you can’t see. Catching these problems early, before they cause backups or failures, saves money long-term. We typically recommend inspection every 3-5 years for homes over 30 years old, especially if you have large trees nearby.
Q6. Can you use the camera to find my property line or locate my sewer line?
Yes. The camera cable has a transmitter (called a sonde) that sends a signal we can detect from above ground. As the camera travels through your pipe, we use a locator to mark its path and depth at ground level. This shows us exactly where your sewer line runs and where the problem areas are located. This is incredibly useful when we need to dig or for mapping your sewer route.
Q7. Will my home insurance cover camera inspection?
Usually not, unless it’s part of diagnosing damage for an insurance claim. If you have a sewer backup covered by insurance, they might pay for the camera inspection as part of determining what caused the backup. Otherwise, camera inspection is typically considered routine maintenance or diagnosis, which insurance doesn’t cover. The video documentation can be valuable for insurance purposes though, especially if it shows sudden damage rather than normal wear and tear.
Why Choose Drain Masters Rooter for Camera Inspections
Professional-Grade Equipment
We use high-definition color cameras with self-leveling heads and powerful LED lighting. You see clear, detailed video, not grainy, dark footage that’s hard to interpret.
Licensed Plumbers Operate the Camera
Our camera operators are licensed master plumbers, not just technicians. They understand plumbing systems and can interpret what they’re seeing accurately.
You Watch in Real Time
We don’t disappear with the camera and come back with a report. You watch the inspection happen. We explain what you’re seeing as we go. Complete transparency.
Video Copy Included
Every inspection includes a video copy on USB drive. It’s yours to keep. Share it, show it to other contractors, keep it for your records, or use it for insurance purposes.
Honest Assessment
We tell you what we see, good or bad. If your pipes look great, we’ll tell you. If you need major work, we’ll tell you that too. We don’t manufacture problems to sell services.
Experience with Madison Heights Homes
We’ve inspected hundreds of sewer lines in Madison Heights. We know what cast iron looks like after 60 years. We recognize the tree species whose roots cause the most problems. We understand the local infrastructure.
Available 24/7 for Emergencies
Sewage backup at midnight? We’ll bring the camera and figure out what’s wrong. Emergency service costs more, but you get answers when you need them.
Schedule Your Sewer Camera Inspection Today
Stop guessing about what’s happening inside your drains. See the actual problem with a professional camera inspection. Know what needs to be fixed, where it’s located, and how much it will cost. Make informed decisions based on facts, not assumptions.
Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing provides detailed sewer camera inspections throughout Madison Heights. We’ll show you exactly what’s happening in your pipes and provide permanent video documentation.
Call us today to schedule your inspection or for 24/7 emergency camera inspection services. Get answers, not guesswork.
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