If you’ve had slow drains, a backup in the basement, or a plumber telling you “it could be the main line,” you probably have more questions than answers. The main problem with a sewer line is that it can be buried under your yard, the sidewalk, and your street. You can’t see it, so most homeowners are left guessing, and guessing wrong can cost thousands.
Our plumbers at Baethke Plumbing have served Chicago since 1993 and perform about 500 sewer line camera inspections every year. Because many local properties still use clay sewer pipes installed 80 to 100 years ago, our plumbing experts have seen just about every type of clogged sewer line problem imaginable.
We’ll explain how a sewer camera inspection works, what problems it can find, and exactly when it makes sense to get one. Today we will help you solve the underground mystery of whether your home needs an inspection now, later, or not at all.
A sewer camera inspection is a one-hour, no-dig video inspection of your main sewer line. It finds tree roots, cracked or collapsed pipe, offset joints, sags, and buildup, and pinpoints exactly where each problem is. Most sewer camera inspections in Chicago cost $350 to $800. In Chicago, the best time to do an inspection is before buying a home, when clogs keep coming back, when several drains are slow at once, or when an older home’s line has never been checked.
What Is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
A sewer camera inspection is a video inspection of the main sewer line that carries wastewater from your home to the city sewer. A plumber feeds a waterproof, high-resolution camera through the pipe and records what it sees in real time.
Think of this camera inspection as an X-ray for your plumbing. Instead of tearing up your walls or digging up your front yard to find out what’s wrong, the camera will show us foot by foot exactly what’s inside your pipes on a display screen. This allows plumbers to troubleshoot hidden problems, and even catch minor issues before they become a major bummer.
How Does a Sewer Camera Inspection Work?
The process is simpler than most people expect. Here’s what happens during a typical inspection:
- Step 1: We find an access point. Most Chicago homes have a cleanout access either outside on the property or in the basement near the front wall, where the main line leaves the house. If there’s no cleanout, we can sometimes go through a toilet or another fixture, or we may recommend installing a cleanout.
- Step 2: We feed the camera into the line. The camera sits on the end of a long, flexible push cable. It has its own lights, so it can see clearly in a completely dark pipe.
- Step 3: We watch the footage live. As the camera moves through the line, the video appears on a monitor. You’re welcome to watch with us, and we encourage it. We’ll point out exactly what we’re seeing and explain what it means.
- Step 4: We locate any problems. Our sewer cameras have a built-in locator. When we find a problem, a device above ground picks up the camera’s signal and tells us the location and depth. That way, if a repair is needed, we dig in the right spot and nowhere else.
- Step 5: We review the results with you. You’ll get a clear explanation of the line’s condition, and we’ll share the video footage when you need it for a home sale, an insurance claim, or a second opinion.
Most inspections take about an hour, and no digging is involved. Watch a Baethke plumber walk through a real sewer camera inspection.
What Can a Sewer Camera Inspection Find?
This is where the camera earns its keep. Without it, a plumber is making an educated guess. With it, we know. Here are the most common problems we find in Chicago sewer lines:
Here’s something we want every homeowner to hear: a camera inspection often shows that you don’t need a full line replacement. A line that looks like a disaster from the basement may only need cleaning or a spot repair. The camera protects you from paying for work you don’t need.
When Should You Get a Sewer Camera Inspection?
You don’t need to scope your sewer line every year. But there are specific times when an inspection is the smartest money you can spend.
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When you’re buying a home
If you only follow one piece of advice in this article, make it this one. A standard home inspection usually doesn’t include the sewer line. In an older Chicago home, a damaged main line can be one of the most expensive surprises a new owner faces. A camera inspection before closing tells you what you’re buying, and it gives you leverage to negotiate if there’s a problem. In Chicago, you’re responsible for that line all the way to the city sewer main, including the section under the parkway.
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When you have recurring clogs or backups
If you’re snaking the same drain every few months, something is causing it. A camera shows whether it’s roots, a belly, or a broken pipe, so you can fix the cause instead of paying for the same symptom over and over.
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When several drains are slow at once
One slow sink is usually a local clog. When the toilet, tub, and floor drain are all acting up, the problem is likely in the main line.
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When you notice warning signs
Watch for gurgling toilets, sewage odors in the basement, water coming up through the floor drain, or unusually green, soggy patches in the yard. Any of these calls for a look.
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Before a big project
Planning a basement remodel, new landscaping, or a driveway replacement? Inspect the line first. It’s far cheaper to fix a sewer problem before new concrete or a finished basement sits on top of it.
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When your home is 40 years old or more
Many Chicago bungalows, two-flats, and greystones still have their original clay sewer lines. If you’ve never had yours inspected, a baseline inspection tells you where you stand and helps you plan ahead instead of reacting to an emergency.
Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection in Chicago
A sewer camera inspection is a quick, no-dig way to see inside your main sewer line. A camera shows exactly what’s happening in the pipe and where, from tree roots and cracks to bellies and collapses.
Not every slow drain means a big repair bill. Many of the lines we inspect need only cleaning or a targeted fix. The camera exists to give you facts, not a sales pitch.
If you’re buying a home, dealing with repeat clogs, noticing warning signs, or living in an older Chicago home with a line that’s never been checked, get an inspection. It’s a small investment that can prevent a very expensive surprise.
At Baethke Plumbing, we’ll show you the footage, explain what we see in plain language, and give you honest options. No pressure, and no guessing.
Ready to see what’s going on under your home? Schedule a sewer camera inspection with Baethke Plumbing or call us at (773) 276-5430.
Sewer Camera Inspection Questions From Chicago Homeowners
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost in Chicago?
A sewer camera inspection in Chicago typically costs $350 to $800, depending on whether there’s an accessible cleanout or the line needs cleaning first. That’s a small cost compared to a sewer line repair, and the inspection often shows whether you need cleaning, a spot repair, or nothing at all. Baethke Plumbing provides upfront, flat-rate pricing before any work begins.
Does a home inspection include the sewer line?
Most standard home inspections don’t include the main sewer line. In Chicago, where many homes still have their original clay sewer pipes, a damaged sewer line can be one of the most expensive surprises a new owner faces. A separate sewer camera inspection before closing shows the line’s condition and gives you video footage you can use to negotiate repairs or price.
Who is responsible for the sewer line in Chicago: the homeowner or the city?
Chicago homeowners are responsible for their entire private sewer line, from the house to the connection at the city sewer main, including the sections under the yard, the sidewalk, and the parkway. The City of Chicago maintains only the public main sewer under the street. A camera inspection shows the condition of the part of the line you’d pay to repair, though some homeowners qualify to have public-way repairs covered by the city.
If your home is an existing residential property with four or fewer units, you may qualify for the City of Chicago’s Private Sewer Drain Program. When a break is found in the public-way section of your private sewer drain and program guidelines are met, the Department of Water Management (DWM) schedules and pays for the repair, which can save homeowners an average of $10,000 to $20,000. Routine maintenance, including rodding and camera inspections, remains the homeowner’s responsibility, and new construction, rehabbed buildings, and commercial or mixed-use properties don’t qualify.
To start, file a “Water in Basement” service request through 311. If the city confirms its main sewer is working properly, a permit must be obtained, and a licensed sewer contractor must rod and televise your line while a DWM House Drain Inspector is present to confirm where the break is. Baethke Plumbing can obtain the permit, schedule the inspection with DWM, and handle the rodding and televising for you. Read more about Chicago’s Private Sewer Drain Program to see if you qualify.
