Camera proof
Sewer Camera Inspection in Los Angeles
Short answer: a sewer camera inspection feeds a small waterproof camera through a cleanout into your sewer line and records what is inside. It shows roots, grease, scale, cracks, sags and breaks, so you know what you are paying to fix before anyone jets or digs. Ask for a copy of the video.
What the camera can show
- Tree roots entering joints
- Grease and scale buildup
- Cracks, breaks and offsets
- Sags where water pools
Published camera inspection prices vary widely: $275 to $1,800 (Angi, 2026).
How an inspection works
- The plumber opens a cleanout, usually a capped pipe outside the house.
- A camera on a flexible cable is fed into the line while it records.
- You watch the screen or review the footage afterward.
- The plumber explains what was found and what, if anything, to do next.
Some crews can also mark the location of a problem on the surface, so a repair can start in the right place.
Last updated October 2026.
What the camera shows, and what it means
| What you see | What it usually means | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Roots entering a joint | A joint is open or leaking | Clear roots, then think about a repair |
| Grease or scale on the wall | Buildup narrowing the pipe | Hydro jetting to clean the wall |
| A crack or break | Damage to the pipe | A repair quote |
| A sag (belly) | Water and waste settle in a low spot | Monitoring or a repair |
| An offset joint | Two pipe sections have shifted | A repair, and cleaning only buys time |
| A clear, smooth pipe | The line is sound | No work, or a scheduled check |
When you should get one
- A drain keeps clogging after cleaning.
- Several drains back up at once.
- You are buying or selling a home with an older sewer line.
- Before a plumber jets an old or fragile pipe.
- After a root problem, to see where roots came in.
- After cleaning, to confirm the result.
Read signs of a clogged sewer line to see if yours fits.
A camera before and after hydro jetting
A camera before jetting shows whether the pipe can take high pressure and where the blockage is. A pass afterward proves the result.
See sewer main line hydro jetting and can hydro jetting damage pipes.
A camera inspection when buying or selling a home
An older Los Angeles house may have a sewer lateral nobody has looked at in decades. A camera pass can show the pipe material and condition before you close. Ask for the video and keep it with your records.
A camera shows what is in the line on the day. It does not predict the future.
Access: why a cleanout helps
A cleanout lets the camera in without pulling a toilet. If you do not have one, the plumber may use a roof vent or pull a toilet, or suggest installing a cleanout.
What to ask for after the inspection
- A copy of the video or a link to it.
- A short written summary of what was found.
- The pipe material and approximate length inspected.
- Whether the plumber saw any damage and where.
- A written price for any work that is recommended.
What it costs
Angi lists camera inspections at $275 to $1,800, a wide range driven by line length, access and whether the line is located. We do not publish a single number. You get a written price before work starts. See the cost page.
Who does the work
Hydro Jetting Los Angeles is a referral service operated by Hydro Jet Pros LA. We are not the plumbing contractor. When you call or send a request, we pass it to Mike Anderson, a local plumber with 12+ years of experience. His team does the work, and you pay the plumber, not us. We speak English and Spanish, and hours are 7 AM to 9 PM.
Source: Angi, hydro jetting cost.
Common questions
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
Often under an hour for a typical residential line, longer for long or complex lines.
Will I see the video?
You can watch the screen on site, and you should ask for a copy.
Can a camera find a clog?
Yes. It shows what is blocking the line and where.
Does the camera damage the pipe?
No. It is a small camera on a flexible cable made for sewer lines.
Do I need a camera before jetting?
Not always, but it is wise on old or fragile pipe. It also shows the result afterward.
Can a camera tell me the pipe material?
Often yes. See pipe materials.
Is it worth it when buying a house?
It shows the line’s condition on the day, and the video is a record.
How do I book?
Call (424) 421-1762.
Want to see inside your line?
Call and tell us what you are seeing, and a local plumber will talk you through the next step.