Sewer Camera Inspection in Santa Rosa, CA | Northern Sewer & Drain

A sewer camera inspection (also called a CCTV sewer inspection or video pipe inspection) is exactly what it sounds like. We push a flexible cable with a self-leveling HD camera head into your sewer or drain line. The camera feeds real-time video to a monitor so we can see every inch of the pipe, including around bends and inside underground sections.

While we’re in there, a sonde transmitter on the camera broadcasts a signal that our locator picks up from the surface. That tells us exactly where the camera is, how deep the pipe runs, and where any problem spots are located. You don’t have to wonder. We can show you on screen and mark it on the ground.

After the inspection, we give you a USB recording of the full video. You own that footage. You can use it for a second opinion, share it with a real estate agent, or submit it if there’s ever a dispute with a seller.

Our NASSCO-certified technicians grade what they find using the PACP (Pipeline Assessment Certification Program) standards. That matters because it’s not just about finding a problem, it’s about knowing how serious it is and what needs to happen next.

Here’s what shows up most often in Santa Rosa sewer lines:

Root intrusion – Tree roots that have grown through joints or cracks in the pipe. Minor root intrusion can be cleared with hydro jetting. Severe intrusion means the pipe wall is compromised and may need repair or replacement.

Pipe bellying – A section of pipe has sunk and now holds standing water. This creates a spot where solids collect and blockages form regularly. No amount of drain cleaning fixes a belly. You need the grade corrected.

Offset joints – When the ground shifts (and in earthquake country, it does), pipe sections separate or misalign at the joints. Wastewater can escape into the soil, which is a serious health concern.

Cracks and fractures – Common in clay and cast iron pipes. Small cracks let in root tips. Large fractures mean the pipe wall is failing.

Grease buildup – More common on kitchen drain lines. Grease sticks to pipe walls and narrows the passage over time until you get a full blockage.

Collapsed sewer line – The worst case. The pipe has failed structurally and wastewater has nowhere to go. This requires immediate action.

We don’t just tell you “something’s wrong.” We show you on the video, give you a written report, and explain your options in plain language.

Our Inspection Process, Step by Step

No surprises. Here’s exactly what happens when we come out:

Pre-inspection cleaning (if needed): If the line has significant buildup, we may run the camera through first to assess, then clean, then re-inspect. This gives you an accurate look at the pipe walls.

Camera insertion: We access the line through a cleanout fitting. Most Santa Rosa homes have one near the foundation or in the yard. If yours doesn’t, we can explain your access options.

Real-time video inspection: We move the push camera system through the line while you watch the monitor alongside us. We narrate what we’re seeing. Depth and location are logged continuously via the sonde transmitter.

Pipe mapping: For longer runs or complex layouts, we document where the line goes, how deep it sits, and where any problem areas are.

Video report delivery: You get a USB copy of the full inspection footage before we leave. No waiting, no chasing us down for it later.

Findings review: We walk you through what we found, what it means, and what your repair options are. No pressure, no upselling.

When You Should Schedule a Camera Inspection

You don’t have to be in a crisis to benefit from this service. Here are the situations where we almost always recommend it:

You’re buying a home. A standard home inspection doesn’t look inside sewer lines. It’s one of the most expensive systems in the house, and it’s invisible. Get an inspection before you close. If there’s a problem, you can negotiate repairs or walk away.

You have slow drains that keep coming back. If you’ve cleared a clog and it returns within weeks, you’ve got something structural going on. A camera tells you what.

You’ve noticed gurgling sounds or sewer smells. These are early warning signs that gas or wastewater is going somewhere it shouldn’t.

Your home is 30+ years old and you’ve never had the sewer inspected. This is the quiet one. Everything feels fine, right up until it isn’t. Pipe materials like clay and Orangeburg have a lifespan. It’s worth knowing where yours stands.

After a major drain cleaning. Once we clear a line, running the camera shows you whether roots will be back, or whether the pipe itself needs attention.

What We Find vs. What We Can Do About It

A camera inspection isn’t just about knowing the problem. It opens the door to fixing it the right way.

Depending on what the inspection reveals, we can follow up with:

• Hydro jetting to clear roots, grease, and mineral scale
• Trenchless pipe lining to seal cracks and fractures without digging up your yard
• Pipe bursting to replace a failed line using the old pipe as a guide path
• Sewer line repair for targeted fixes on damaged sections
• Mainline sewer cleaning for routine maintenance

We’re a sewer and drain specialty contractor, not a general plumber who handles a little of everything. This is what we do every day, which means we’re faster, more accurate, and more confident in our diagnosis than a generalist would be.

Serving Santa Rosa and All of Sonoma County

We run inspections throughout Santa Rosa, including Fountaingrove, Rincon Valley, Bennett Valley, Southwest Santa Rosa, Roseland, and Downtown Santa Rosa. We also serve Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Windsor, Sebastopol, Cotati, and Healdsburg.

If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, just call. Chances are we do.

Why Homeowners in Santa Rosa Choose Northern Sewer & Drain

We’re not the cheapest option and we’re not going to pretend to be. But here’s what you actually get when you work with us:

• NASSCO-certified technicians who grade pipe defects using PACP standards, the same system used by municipalities
• California C-42 Sewer Contractor License and California C-36 Plumbing License, both required to legally perform this work in CA
• CSLB licensed, fully insured and bonded
• HD video with USB delivery on every inspection, every time
• Honest, written findings with no pressure to buy services you don’t need
• Workmanship warranty on all repair work that follows
• Free estimates on repair and replacement work after inspection
• 24/7 availability for genuine emergencies

We’ve been doing this long enough to know what goes wrong in Sonoma County’s pipes. We’ve seen it all, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s going on.

Get a Straight Answer About Your Sewer Line

If you’ve been putting this off because you’re not sure it’s worth it, here’s the honest answer: a camera inspection costs a fraction of what a failed sewer line costs to fix. And if everything looks fine, you get peace of mind and a video record of your pipe’s condition.

Call Northern Sewer & Drain today or request a free estimate online. We serve Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Windsor, Sebastopol, Healdsburg, and the rest of Sonoma County.