Sewer Line Repair
Correct a broken, root-invaded or bellied sewer lateral, whether the repair is one spot or a longer run. Open page
Drains and sewer pipes
Sewer Camera Inspection in Thornton, CO
A compact camera on a flexible cable is fed into the sewer line and shows what is happening inside. It turns a guess into a recording you can keep.
Tell the dispatcher why you want the inspection: a clog, a purchase or a sale.
Good times for an inspection
- Repeat clogsFind out why the drain keeps backing up.
- Buying or sellingCheck the lateral before closing.
- Before a big repairConfirm the scope before you pay.
What the camera shows
The camera records the pipe from the cleanout or a drain access toward the city main. It shows the material, the joints, roots, cracks, offsets, bellies and buildup. A locator on the camera head finds its position from above, so a repair can be planned.
A good inspection ends with a clear description and a copy of the footage. It should also say what was not seen, such as a section blocked by debris.
When to order one
Order an inspection when a drain keeps clogging, when you smell sewage, when you notice wet spots in the yard or when you are buying an older house. It also helps after a root cutting or jetting visit to check the result.
If you have received a big repair quote, a second look with a camera can confirm what is needed.
In Thornton
Older neighborhoods in Thornton
Thornton's oldest streets date to the mid 1950s, and their laterals may be clay or fiber conduit. A camera can show which one you have and what shape it is in.
Knowing the material and the condition helps you plan. A sound line may need only a periodic cleaning, while a failing one may be worth replacing before it backs up.
Cost
Pricing a camera look
Inspection pricing depends on access and length.
Ask whether the footage and a report are included.
Reading the footage
Cracks and offset joints show up as breaks in the line of the pipe. A belly shows as a pool of water that does not drain. Roots look like fine threads or a mat at a joint. Scale and grease appear as a rough coating.
Ask the plumber to point out what matters and what does not. Some defects are minor, and others call for action.
Before you buy a house
A sewer scope is a common part of a home purchase for older houses. It shows whether the lateral is likely to fail soon. Share the findings with your agent, and use them to negotiate repairs or a credit.
Remember that a camera inspection is a snapshot. It cannot predict a failure, but it can show you where the risks are.
After the inspection
If the line is clean, you have a baseline. If it shows damage, the plumber will describe repair options. Keep the video with your home records.
A re-inspection after repairs confirms the work and provides proof for a sale or an insurance claim.
Getting the most from an inspection
Before the visit, find the cleanout, since that is where the camera goes in. Clear the area and tell the contractor about backups, odors and any earlier repairs. If you are buying a house, ask for the footage to be saved with a distance marker so the findings can be compared with a seller's records.
Ask the operator to describe what appears on screen: cracks, offsets, roots, sags with standing water, scale or a collapsed section. A locating device above ground can mark where the problem sits, which matters if a repair is next.
Keep a copy of the video and the notes. If a repair follows, the footage can support the quote and the permit, and a second contractor can look at it for another opinion.
Where a camera finding goes next
Hydro Jetting
Strip away grease, mineral scale and root hairs from inside a pipe using a high pressure water stream. Open page
Drain cleaning & unclogging
Unblock a sink, tub, washer line or main drain, then learn what caused the stoppage. Open page
Quick answers
Asked about camera inspection
Usually an hour or less, depending on the access and the line length.
No. The cable bends easily and is built for pipe inspection.
One makes the visit easier. When there is none, the camera can be fed in through a pulled toilet or the roof vent stack.
Raise it when you book. A number of contractors hand over a copy.
Ask on the 24/7 line. Many inspections are scheduled for daytime, yet a house with a backup can be reported on a weekend or at night, and the camera may come after the line is open.
Curious what is inside the line?
Call and ask for a camera inspection. A dispatcher will help you find a contractor.