Michigan · Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Sewer Camera Inspection: Scope Before You Buy or Repair

An Ann Arbor sewer camera inspection sends a high-resolution camera through your lateral to show exactly what's underground before anyone buys, signs, or digs. In a tight housing market around the University of Michigan, a pre-purchase scope has become a standard step — many of these homes sit on century-old clay tile whose condition a normal inspection never sees. It matters even more in the historic districts: because the Historic District Commission limits excavation, the camera's findings define the scope of any permitted trenchless repair. This guide explains push versus crawler cameras, what the footage reveals, how it guides a no-dig fix, and what it costs.

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This guide explains how a sewer camera inspection works, why it's a smart step for Ann Arbor buyers and owners, and connects you with vetted Ann Arbor contractors who scope, document, and diagnose before any repair.

Why Ann Arbor Buyers and Owners Scope the Sewer

A camera inspection turns a hidden, expensive unknown into a documented fact — and in Ann Arbor, that matters for buyers and historic-home owners alike.

The Pre-Purchase Sewer Scope

A standard home inspection stops at the foundation and never looks inside the buried lateral. In the competitive UM-adjacent market — where parents and investors buy older homes as student rentals — a sewer scope before closing has become routine, because the private lateral becomes the buyer's responsibility at closing. Scoping first lets buyers negotiate or budget with eyes open, informed by a proper pipe assessment.

Century-Old Clay Tile You Can't See

Homes in the historic neighborhoods often run on pre-1940s clay tile whose condition is invisible from above. A camera reveals whether the line is sound, root-choked, or cracked — the difference between a minor cleaning and a major repair.

Findings Drive the Historic-District Repair

Because the Historic District Commission limits excavation, you have to know exactly what's wrong and where before planning a permitted, no-dig repair. The camera is that planning tool — it lets a contractor design a trenchless fix precisely instead of digging to find the problem.

Push Cameras vs. Crawler Cameras

The equipment is matched to the line. Ann Arbor contractors use two main camera types plus precise locating.

Push Cameras

A push camera feeds a flexible rod with a camera head through the lateral, ideal for residential 3 to 6-inch lines. It's the standard tool for a home sewer scope, navigating the bends in old clay tile and cast iron as well as newer PVC, and reaching the city connection on a typical lot.

Crawler Cameras

For larger-diameter or longer mains, a motorized crawler camera drives through the pipe on wheels with a pan-and-tilt head for detailed municipal and commercial inspection — reaching well beyond a push rod.

Locators and Sondes

A sonde in the camera head transmits a signal a technician traces from the surface, marking the exact depth and position of a defect. Paired with pipe mapping software and GPS tracking, this pinpoints where any access pit should go — essential for keeping disruption minimal in a protected historic yard.

What a Camera Inspection Reveals

A scope documents the line's true condition. Common Ann Arbor findings include:

Cracked Clay Tile

Pre-1940s vitrified clay cracked by ground movement and freeze-thaw — the most common historic-district finding.

Root Intrusion

Tree Town canopy roots entering clay-tile joints, the leading cause of backups in older homes.

Separated Joints

Clay-tile sections pulled apart at the joints, letting in roots and soil.

Cast Iron Corrosion

Mid-century cast iron corroding and scaling internally, narrowing the bore.

Bellies & Sags

Settlement in silt loam drops a section into a belly that holds standing water.

Sound PVC

In newer Pittsfield and Scio-edge homes, confirmation the line is sound — valuable documentation in itself.

The Diagnostic Role Before Repair

No reputable Ann Arbor contractor recommends a repair method without seeing inside the pipe first, and in this city the footage does double duty. It decides the path: cracks, separated joints, and roots in sound clay point to CIPP lining; a fully collapsed line points to pipe bursting; and roots or grease alone may need drain cleaning first. In a historic district, that same recording is what lets a contractor plan a precise, minimally invasive repair the Historic District Commission will approve — and it documents pre-existing condition for a real estate negotiation. Our guide on when to replace versus repair explains how findings map to methods.

Cost of Sewer Camera Inspection in Ann Arbor

Typical Ann Arbor Pricing

Standard Camera Inspection $250 – $550
Pre-Purchase Sewer Scope $200 – $450
Inspection with Locating / Sonde $350 – $650
Inspection Bundled with Cleaning $400 – $900

For a full breakdown, see our complete cost guide.

Ann Arbor-Specific Cost Factors

Price depends on line length and access, whether locating is included, and whether the line must be cleaned before the camera can pass. For a historic-district home, a scope is among the cheapest insurance a buyer can get against a five-figure clay-tile repair — and the recorded video is worth confirming is included.

Ann Arbor Areas We Serve

Old West Side

Historic district, pre-1940s clay tile

Burns Park

Older homes near UM, heavy root intrusion

Old Fourth Ward

Historic district near downtown and campus

Central Campus Area

Student rentals scoped at purchase

Kerrytown & Water Hill

Older near-downtown neighborhoods

Pittsfield & Scio Edge

Newer PVC subdivisions

What to Look for in an Ann Arbor Inspection Provider

A good inspection gives you clear footage and an honest read of it. Before hiring, verify the following:

Camera Inspection Provider Checklist

Michigan State Plumbing License — required for sewer work in Michigan
Recorded Video & Written Report — a copy of the footage and findings you keep
Locating Capability — sonde and surface locator to pinpoint defects, not just view them
Historic-Home Familiarity — recognizes clay tile and plans repairs that respect HDC limits
Unbiased Diagnosis — explains findings without pressuring an unnecessary repair
Insurance & Local References — coverage and a track record in Ann Arbor

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Other Trenchless Services in Ann Arbor

A camera inspection is the first step toward the right fix. Common related Ann Arbor services:

Trenchless Services in Other Michigan Cities

TrenchlessNet serves homeowners across Michigan's major metro areas — from Washtenaw County to Metro Detroit and beyond:

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a sewer scope before buying an Ann Arbor home?

Yes, especially for an older or historic-district home. A standard inspection doesn't look inside the lateral, and that line becomes your responsibility at closing. Pre-1940s clay tile can hide roots, cracks, and separated joints, so a scope is inexpensive insurance in a competitive market.

Why does a camera matter so much in a historic district?

Because the Historic District Commission limits excavation, you need to know exactly what's wrong and where before planning a permitted repair. The camera lets a contractor design a precise, minimally invasive trenchless fix instead of digging to locate the problem.

What's the difference between a push and crawler camera?

A push camera feeds a flexible rod through residential lines and is standard for home scopes. A crawler camera drives through larger or longer pipes on wheels with a pan-and-tilt head, used for commercial and mainline inspections.

Can the inspection tell what material my pipe is?

Yes. An experienced technician recognizes clay tile, cast iron, and PVC on camera, along with the condition of each and the exact location of any defect — exactly the information needed to plan a repair or negotiate a sale.

Do I get a copy of the video?

You should. A reputable provider gives you the recorded footage and a written summary — important documentation for a repair decision or a real estate negotiation. Confirm it's included before booking.