Sewer Camera Inspections

Sewer camera inspection in Lee & Collier County

Most sewer problems are invisible until they get expensive. A camera turns a guess into a picture, so you know what's wrong, where it is and what it will take to fix, before you spend money on the wrong repair.

• Pre-purchase inspections: a look at the sewer line before you buy, since a standard home inspection can't see underground pipe.
• Repeat clog diagnosis: finding out why a drain keeps backing up.
• Break and collapse location: finding the exact spot where a line is damaged, so digging stays small.
• Root intrusion checks: seeing how far roots have grown into the line.
• After-repair verification: confirming a repair or replacement was done correctly.
• Commercial lines: restaurants, offices and multi-unit buildings. See commercial plumbing.

We're a Florida state-certified plumbing contractor (license CFC1429748), based in North Fort Myers, and a second-generation family business.

When a sewer camera inspection makes sense

You don't need a camera every time a sink drains slowly. These are the situations where it pays off.

• You're buying a homeUnderground sewer problems are common in older homes, and they won't show up in a standard inspection.
• The same drain clogs againIf clearing the clog only works for a few weeks, something is causing it.
• Several drains are slowMay point to a problem in the main line.
• Sewer smell with no clear sourceA crack or open joint can release odor.
• Soggy or sunken lawnPossible leak or collapse over the line.
• Older home, original pipesCast iron and clay lines age, and the age of the home is a good reason to look.
• Before a big renovationA sewer line that fails mid-remodel is a very expensive surprise.
• After a repairConfirms the new section is sloped and joined properly.

Sewer camera inspection for home buyers

A home inspector checks what they can see and reach. The sewer line runs underground, often for dozens of feet, so it is usually left out. If the line is cracked, collapsed or full of roots, you learn about it after you own the house.

A camera inspection before closing gives you information when it is most useful: while you can still negotiate a repair, ask for a credit or walk away. We give you the footage and a plain-language summary of what we saw, including the condition of the pipe material, any roots or breaks and our opinion on whether a repair is likely to be needed.

This matters in Southwest Florida in particular, where older neighborhoods in Fort Myers and North Fort Myers have cast iron and clay lines that are decades old, and where tree roots reach lines in every community. Schedule it as soon as your inspection period begins, since timing is tight. Call us at (239) 324-6776 and tell us the closing date.

How a sewer camera inspection works

1. We find the access point. Most lines have a cleanout, a capped pipe outside the house. If there isn't one, we can often go in through a toilet or a vent.
2. We run the camera. A waterproof camera on a flexible cable travels the length of the line while a screen shows the live image.
3. We locate what we see. A locator on the surface marks the position and depth of any problem so you know exactly where it sits.
4. We explain what we found. You watch along, and we describe each finding in plain language.
5. You get options and an upfront price. If nothing is wrong, you'll hear that. If a repair is needed, we outline the options with an upfront price and no pressure.

Most inspections take well under a half day, and nothing needs to be dug up. If the line is full of grease or roots, we may need to clear it first so the camera can pass, and we explain that before we begin.

What a sewer camera can find

• Roots: fine hair-like roots or a thick mass, and where they entered.
• Cracks and breaks: a crack, a broken section or a pipe that has crushed.
• Offset joints: where two sections have shifted apart and no longer line up.
• Belly or sag: a low spot where water and waste sit instead of flowing, which causes repeat clogs.
• Scale and corrosion: flaking cast iron that narrows the pipe.
• Grease and buildup: coating that restricts flow.
• Foreign objects: items lodged in the line.
• Collapsed pipe: the line is blocked and needs repair.

Each finding has a different fix. Roots on a sound pipe can be cleared. A cracked section needs a repair. A belly may need re-grading. Our sewer line repair page explains each option.

Repeat clogs: stop paying to clear the same drain

Clearing a drain removes what's blocking it today. It doesn't change why it blocked. If you have called a plumber for the same drain more than once, the cause is almost always something a camera will show.

We've seen roots that grew back within months because the joint was never repaired, a sag that held waste in the same spot every time and grease coating that narrowed a line year after year. In each case, the camera replaces repeated clearing with one decision. Our drain cleaning page covers the clogs a camera isn't needed for.

Why choose Sunshine Plumbing for a camera inspection

• You see what we see. We show you the live footage so the diagnosis is not just our word.
• The person inspecting also repairs. We can explain what a fix looks like because we do the fixing.
• No pressure. We don't recommend replacement when a cleaning will do.
• Upfront price and a 1-year guarantee on our parts and service.
• Local knowledge. We know the pipe materials and soil conditions in Lee and Collier County neighborhoods.

Owner Mike has led this business since 2016, and it is a second-generation family business. Customers describe him as honest and capable, and our 5.0 rating across 46 Google reviews reflects that.

Sewer camera inspection costs and what you get

We don't publish a flat price, because lines differ. A short, accessible line is a simpler visit than a long line with no cleanout or one that needs clearing first. What we do promise is simple: a free estimate, an upfront price before we start and no surprises after.

• Live footage you watch with us, and a copy to keep when you ask.
• A plain-language summary of the pipe material, condition and any problems we saw.
• Location marking for any damage, so you know where it sits and how deep.
• Repair options with an upfront price if something needs fixing, and a clear statement if nothing does.
• No obligation. You decide what happens next, with no pressure and no hard sell.

If you are also dealing with a clog right now, tell us when you call. Often the same visit can clear the line and inspect it, which saves you a second trip.

Sewer camera inspections near you

We inspect sewer and drain lines in every city in Lee and Collier County, including:

Sewer camera inspection FAQ

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