Warning signs
- Water backs up in the lowest drain when a toilet flushes or the washer drains
- Multiple fixtures are slow at the same time
- Sewer smell near floor drains or in the yard
- A patch of grass that's greener or wetter than the rest
- Roots found every time the line is cleared
What the inspection shows
A camera recording from the cleanout to the city tap shows the pipe material, roots, cracks, offsets and sags, with distances. A locator marks where each problem is on the ground and how deep.
Pipe materials and what they tend to do
Clay: roots at joints. Cast iron: cracks and scale. Orangeburg (1940s–70s): deforms and collapses. PVC: generally sound, but can sag if bedding was poor.
What a camera inspection shows
The plumber feeds a waterproof camera through a cleanout or pulled toilet, and you watch the footage on a monitor. A locator on the camera head marks the depth and position of any problem on the surface, so repair can target one spot instead of digging up the whole yard.
Clay and cast-iron lines in older Charlotte neighborhoods commonly show root intrusion at joints, cracks, offset joints and bellies where the pipe has settled.
Signs Your Sewer Line May Need Inspection: when to call a pro
- Main line backups more than once
- Sewer smell in the yard or lower level
- Soggy or unusually green strip of lawn over the line
- Buying a home built before about 1980
Signs Your Sewer Line May Need Inspection: common questions
Should I get a sewer inspection before buying a house?
For homes older than about 30 years, or any home with large trees near the sewer line, yes. It's inexpensive relative to a sewer replacement, which a standard home inspection doesn't evaluate.
Who is responsible for the sewer line?
Homeowners typically own the private lateral from the house to the public main or tap. Rules vary by utility, so check with Charlotte Water or your local provider.
What are the first signs of a sewer line problem?
Several slow drains at once, gurgling toilets, backups at the lowest drain, a sewer smell, or a soggy patch in the yard along the sewer path.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
It varies by company and whether cleaning is needed first; it costs far less than a sewer repair, which is why it's worth doing before approving one.
Every home differs; editorial standards.