Sewer Camera Inspection in Arlington Heights, IL

We recommend sewer camera inspections in Arlington Heights for these common situations:

Buying a Home — This is the #1 reason homeowners request sewer camera inspections. Arlington Heights has homes ranging from the 1950s to new construction, and the sewer line condition varies dramatically. A pre-purchase sewer inspection can save you from inheriting a $10,000–$25,000 sewer replacement. Many real estate agents in Arlington Heights now recommend sewer scoping as part of the standard home inspection.

Recurring Drain Backups — If your main sewer line backs up more than once a year, something is wrong. Rodding clears the symptom but not the cause. A camera inspection identifies the root problem — whether it's tree root intrusion, a belly (sag) in the line, an offset joint, or pipe deterioration.

Slow Drains Throughout the House — When multiple fixtures drain slowly simultaneously, the problem is likely in the main sewer line, not individual drain branches. A camera inspection pinpoints exactly where and what the issue is.

Before a Remodel or Addition — If you're adding a bathroom, finishing a basement, or expanding your home, we camera-inspect the existing sewer system to ensure it can handle the additional load and to identify any issues before they're buried under new construction.

After Purchasing a Home (Baseline Inspection) — If you didn't get a sewer inspection before buying, it's smart to get one soon after. This establishes a baseline condition record that helps you plan for future maintenance or replacement.

Tree Removal or Planting — Before planting large trees or after removing trees near your sewer line, a camera inspection checks for root intrusion damage.

Our high-definition sewer cameras provide a real-time video view of the interior of your sewer line from your home to the municipal connection. Here's what we look for:

Tree Root Intrusion — The most common sewer problem in Arlington Heights. Roots enter through pipe joints, cracks, and connection points, creating blockages that worsen over time. We can see the severity and location of root intrusion to determine whether rodding, root treatment, or pipe replacement is the best solution.

Pipe Material & Condition — We identify the pipe material (clay tile, cast iron, Orangeburg, or PVC) and assess its condition. This is critical because different materials deteriorate in different ways and have different life expectancies.

Bellies & Sags — Low spots in the sewer line where water and waste collect. Bellies cause recurring backups and can't be fixed with rodding — they require pipe repair or replacement of the affected section.

Offset Joints — Where pipe sections have shifted apart due to ground settling or root pressure. Minor offsets catch debris and cause slow draining. Major offsets can completely block flow.

Cracks & Fractures — Visible cracks in clay tile or cast iron pipes that allow root intrusion and groundwater infiltration.

Collapsed Sections — Partial or complete pipe collapse, typically in older clay tile or Orangeburg lines. This requires immediate replacement.

Scale & Buildup — Internal scale, grease buildup, or mineral deposits that restrict flow. Common in older cast iron pipes.

Knowing what type of sewer pipe your Arlington Heights home has helps predict its condition and remaining lifespan:

Clay Tile (Pre-1970s) — The most common sewer pipe in older Arlington Heights homes. Clay tile is durable but the joints (typically hub-and-spigot with oakum and cement) are vulnerable to root intrusion and ground shifting. Expected lifespan: 50–60 years, meaning many original clay tile sewers in Arlington Heights are at or past their expected service life.

Cast Iron (1940s–1970s) — Used for both interior drain stacks and underground sewer lines. Cast iron is strong but corrodes internally over decades, developing rough surfaces that catch debris and eventually thinning to the point of cracking. Expected lifespan: 50–75 years.

Orangeburg (1940s–1970s) — A fiber-based pipe (essentially compressed tar paper) that was used as a low-cost alternative during post-war construction. Orangeburg pipe is the most failure-prone sewer material — it deforms, collapses, and deteriorates. If your Arlington Heights home has Orangeburg, replacement is typically recommended regardless of current condition. Expected lifespan: 30–50 years (most have already exceeded this).

PVC (1970s–Present) — Modern plastic sewer pipe with cemented joints. Very durable with a 100+ year expected lifespan. Rarely shows problems in camera inspections unless improperly installed (incorrect slope, insufficient support, or joint separation from poor gluing).

Trenchless Liners (Various) — Some Arlington Heights homes have had epoxy liners (CIPP) installed inside older pipes. We inspect liner condition as well, checking for delamination, wrinkles, or failed connections.

1. Access Point Identification — We locate the best access point for the camera, typically a cleanout in the basement, crawlspace, or yard. If no cleanout exists, we can access the sewer through a toilet flange or roof vent stack.

2. Initial Rodding (If Needed) — If the line is blocked or severely restricted, we rod it first so the camera can travel the full length. We don't charge for rodding separately when it's necessary for the camera inspection.

3. Camera Insertion & Recording — We feed a self-leveling, high-definition camera through the entire sewer line, from the house to the municipal connection. The inspection is recorded in full HD video.

4. Distance & Depth Tracking — Our camera equipment tracks the distance from the access point and estimates depth, so we can precisely locate any problems underground. This is critical if excavation or spot repair is needed.

5. Detailed Report — You receive a written report documenting pipe material, condition, any defects found, their location and severity, and our recommended course of action. For real estate transactions, we provide reports formatted for buyers, sellers, and attorneys.

6. Video Copy — You receive a copy of the full video inspection for your records. This is valuable documentation for insurance claims, real estate negotiations, and future reference.

Our sewer camera inspection pricing is straightforward:

Standard Residential Sewer Inspection — $150–$350 for a full camera inspection from house to municipal connection, including video recording, written report, and recommendations.

Pre-Purchase Real Estate Inspection — $200–$400 including a detailed report formatted for real estate transactions with photo documentation of key findings.

Camera Inspection After Rodding — When we rod a sewer line and find recurring issues, we often recommend a camera inspection to identify the underlying cause. The camera inspection fee may be reduced when combined with rodding service.

Lateral Locating Service — If we need to pinpoint the exact location and depth of a problem for excavation, we use a transmitter in the camera head and a surface locator. This adds $75–$150 to the inspection.

A camera inspection is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your Arlington Heights home. A $200–$400 inspection can identify problems before they become $10,000–$25,000 emergencies.