Michigan · Detroit

Detroit Sewer Camera Inspection: See Inside Your Pipe Before You Dig

A Detroit sewer camera inspection sends a high-resolution video crawler through your lateral to show exactly what's wrong — separated clay-tile joints, root intrusion, cracks, bellies, or corrosion in pre-1950 cast iron — without guessing or digging. In a city where many laterals are 80 to 120 years old, the camera is the single most important diagnostic step: it turns a mystery clog into a documented problem with a known location and the right fix. This guide explains when you need an inspection, what it finds, what it costs, and how to find qualified Detroit contractors.

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Find Qualified Detroit Sewer Camera Inspection Contractors

Connect with pre-screened specialists who run a high-resolution camera through your lateral, locate the exact defect, and hand you recorded footage — so you know what's wrong before paying for any repair. Compare services, verify credentials, and read reviews from local homeowners.

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This guide explains how sewer camera inspection technology works, what it reveals in Detroit's aging laterals, and connects homeowners and buyers with vetted Detroit sewer inspection contractors.

When You Need a Detroit Sewer Camera Inspection

An inspection pays for itself any time the alternative is guessing. In Detroit, four situations make one essential.

Before Buying an Older Detroit Home

Detroit's housing stock skews old, and a standard home inspection rarely includes the buried sewer lateral. A pre-purchase camera inspection of a Boston-Edison, Indian Village, or Corktown home can reveal a failing 100-year-old clay-tile line before you own the problem — often worth thousands in negotiating leverage.

Recurring or Unexplained Clogs

If a drain backs up repeatedly after cleaning, the camera finds why — usually root intrusion at a separated joint or a structural defect that snagging debris. It converts a recurring drain cleaning bill into a one-time diagnosis.

Before Any Trenchless Repair

No reputable contractor lines or bursts a Detroit lateral without first cameraing it. The footage confirms whether the pipe can host a CIPP liner or needs pipe bursting, and measures length and diameter so materials fit.

After a Repair, for Verification

A post-repair camera pass confirms the liner cured smooth and full-bore, or the new pipe sits at proper slope — documentation worth keeping for warranty and resale.

How a Detroit Sewer Camera Inspection Works

The whole process is non-invasive and usually takes under an hour. The standard Detroit workflow:

1. Access the Line

The technician enters through an existing cleanout, roof vent, or pulled toilet — no digging required to inspect the lateral end to end.

2. Feed the Camera Crawler

A flexible rod with a high-resolution, self-leveling camera head is pushed through the pipe, lighting and filming the full interior in real time.

3. Locate the Defect

A radio sonde in the camera head lets the tech pinpoint the exact depth and location from the surface using a locator, often supported by 3D pipe mapping software.

4. Record & Report

Footage is recorded and reviewed with the homeowner, with the defect, its location, and recommended repair documented — using the same locating technology Detroit crews rely on for permitting.

For the engineering behind it, see our pipe assessment methods guide.

What the Camera Finds in Detroit Pipe

Detroit's clay soil, freeze-thaw cycles, and century-old materials produce a predictable set of defects. A camera identifies which one you have:

Separated & Offset Joints

Clay movement pulls clay-tile joints apart. The camera shows the gap so an offset joint can be lined or repaired.

Root Intrusion

Roots feeding through joints are visible on camera, confirming whether cleaning or sealing is needed.

Cracks & Fractures

Freeze-thaw cracks in cast iron and clay tile show up clearly before they become breaks.

Bellies & Sags

Standing water on camera reveals a belly from soil settlement that cleaning can't fix.

Corrosion & Scale

Tuberculation inside aging cast iron signals corrosion narrowing the bore.

Collapse

A fully collapsed section is unmistakable, ruling lining out and pointing to bursting or excavation.

Joint failures are the most common Detroit finding — see joint separation repair for the fix.

Cost of Sewer Camera Inspection in Detroit

Typical Detroit Pricing

Standard Camera Inspection $250 – $500
Inspection with Locating / Mapping $350 – $650
Pre-Purchase Inspection (with report) $300 – $600
Inspection + Drain Cleaning Combo $400 – $900
Recorded Footage / Written Report Often included

For a full breakdown, see our complete trenchless cost guide.

Detroit-Specific Cost Factors

Price depends on line length, accessibility, and whether locating or a written report is included. Many Detroit contractors credit the inspection fee toward a repair if one is needed, and bundle it with drain cleaning. When the footage reveals damage, our guide on when to replace versus repair helps you decide the next step.

Detroit Neighborhoods We Serve

Historic Core

Corktown, Woodbridge, Midtown, Brush Park, Lafayette Park

East Side

Indian Village, West Village, Jefferson-Chalmers, East English Village

Northwest

Rosedale Park, Grandmont, Sherwood Forest, University District

Boston-Edison Area

Boston-Edison, Arden Park, Atkinson Avenue, Virginia Park

Palmer Woods Area

Palmer Woods, Green Acres, Bagley, Russell Woods

Southwest

Mexicantown, Springwells, Hubbard Farms, Delray

What to Look for in Detroit Inspection Contractors

A useful inspection produces evidence you can act on. Verify the following before hiring:

Detroit Sewer Camera Inspection Contractor Checklist

Michigan State Plumbing License — required for sewer work in Michigan
High-Resolution Self-Leveling Camera — clear footage, not a low-grade push cam
Sonde Locating Capability — pinpoints defect depth and location from the surface
Recorded Footage Provided — you keep the video and a written summary
Cast Iron & Clay-Tile Familiarity — can read Detroit's aging pipe accurately
Unbiased Reporting — diagnoses the line honestly rather than upselling unneeded work
Insurance & Bonding — adequate coverage for the project scope

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Other Trenchless Services in Detroit

A camera inspection is the diagnostic step that points to the right repair. Common next services:

Trenchless Services in Other Michigan Cities

TrenchlessNet serves homeowners across Michigan's major metro areas — from Metro Detroit to West Michigan:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Detroit sewer camera inspection take?

Most residential inspections take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on line length and access. You'll typically review the footage with the technician on the spot and receive a copy along with a summary of any findings.

Should I get one before buying an older Detroit home?

Yes. Standard home inspections rarely include the buried lateral, and Detroit's older housing stock often has 80- to 120-year-old clay tile or cast iron. A pre-purchase camera inspection can uncover a failing line worth thousands in repairs before you close.

Do I need to clean the drain before the camera goes in?

Sometimes. If the line is blocked by grease or roots, the camera can't see past it, so light cleaning may come first. Many Detroit contractors offer a combined clean-and-camera so the inspection captures a clear, debris-free view.

Can the camera tell me exactly where the problem is?

Yes. A sonde in the camera head transmits a signal that a surface locator tracks, marking the defect's exact depth and position — so any repair targets the right spot without exploratory digging.

Is the inspection fee credited toward repair?

Often. Many Detroit contractors apply the inspection cost toward a repair if the footage shows work is needed. Ask before booking, and confirm you keep the recorded video regardless of whether you proceed.