A plumbing camera inspection is basically a long, robotic snake probe with a tiny camera at the end. It allows plumbers to have a real-time look at what's going on in your pipes. Plumbing inspection cameras are equipped with bright LED lights that illuminate the inside of the pipe to reveal any cracks, clog sources or structural problems. Sometimes plumbing pipe inspection cameras include a radio transmitter inside the camera that records the underground depth and precise physical location of any defects or obstructions in the pipe. This allows plumbers to accurately diagnose any problems and present cost-effective treatment or repair options for their customers.

A plumbing camera inspection can detect whether you're dealing with a tree root infiltration; a broken, cracked, or collapsed pipe; major blockage of grease, sediment, or paper; or sagging pipes, causing buildup & eventual blockage. Plumbing pipe inspection cameras can help a plumber make an accurate diagnosis of an expensive problem without invasive and destructive inspection. An alternative to the plumbing inspection camera is to dig up the whole pipe to see where it’s leaking - a very labor intensive and destructive process that’s also quite expensive.

The camera plumbing inspection cost can vary depending on who you call and also the type of property you have as well as if it’s commercial versus residential, but they tend to range between $125 and $500, which is much less than the labor to dig up an entire underground pipe.

Usually, plumbing pipe inspection cameras are operated and owned by plumbers so you don’t have to worry about this. Typically, they need to know the size of the pipe you have, how long of a camera they might need, and what type of building it is in and they will bring the best plumbing inspection camera to do the job. Most plumbers that perform camera inspection plumbing work have access to a number of machines or they can rent the right one to do the job.