How to tell if you need a sewer camera inspection

You need a sewer camera inspection if your drains back up more than once, multiple fixtures gurgle at the same time, or you smell sewage in the basement. Those three symptoms point to a problem in the main line, not a single clog. A camera inspection is the only way to see exactly what is blocking or breaking your pipe before you spend money on the wrong fix. This guide walks through the warning signs we see across Troy, what the inspection costs in 2026, and when it makes sense to call us instead of reaching for another bottle of drain cleaner.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Actually Is

A sewer camera inspection is a diagnostic service that feeds a waterproof camera through your main sewer line to record the inside of the pipe from the house to the city connection. The camera sits on the end of a flexible reel, and we push it 30 to 100 feet depending on your lot. You watch the monitor with us. We mark the depth of any defect on the ground with a paint dot so you know exactly where the problem sits.

That last part matters. A camera inspection is not just a video. It is a map of your line. When we find a crack at 42 feet, we know the repair crew needs to dig at 42 feet, not 20. That saves you hundreds in exploratory digging.

If you have never had one done, think of it as an MRI for your drain. A plumber snaking a line is like a doctor prescribing painkillers without an X-ray. It might help for a week. It does not tell you why the pain keeps coming back.

7 Signs You Need a Sewer Camera Inspection in Troy, Michigan

These are the sewer camera inspection signs in Troy, Michigan that we see most often. If two or more apply to your home, schedule the inspection before the next backup.

1. You have had the same drain snaked twice in 12 months

One clog is normal. Two clogs in the same line within a year means something is catching debris over and over. That could be a bellied pipe, a root intrusion, or a rough patch of cast iron. Snaking clears the blockage but leaves the cause in place. A camera shows you the cause.

2. Multiple drains are slow at the same time

When the kitchen sink, the laundry drain, and the basement floor drain all slow down together, the problem is downstream of all of them. That is your main line. A single fixture backing up is usually a local clog. Three fixtures backing up is a main line event.

3. You hear gurgling in the toilet when the washer drains

That gurgle is air being pulled through the toilet trap because water cannot move fast enough through the main line. It is one of the earliest signs of a partial blockage. Most homeowners ignore it for months. Then the backup happens on a Sunday.

4. Sewage smell in the basement or crawlspace

If you smell sewer gas near the floor drain or cleanout, the line is not sealed properly or is partially blocked. Methane and hydrogen sulfide are not just unpleasant. They are a sign the system is venting into your home instead of out the roof stack.

5. Your home was built before 1980 and has never had a camera inspection

Troy has a lot of housing stock from the 1950s through the 1970s. Those homes often have original cast iron or clay tile sewer lines. Cast iron rusts from the inside out. Clay tile cracks at the joints. Both fail slowly, and both give you warning signs a camera can catch years before a collapse.

6. You are buying a house in Troy

A sewer scope inspection in Troy, Michigan is the single most overlooked part of a home purchase. A standard home inspection does not scope the sewer line. We have scoped homes where the buyer was about to close on a property with a collapsed clay line under the driveway. That is a $6,000 to $12,000 surprise. The scope costs a fraction of that.

7. You have a large tree within 20 feet of the sewer line

Maples, willows, and silver maples send roots toward moisture. Your sewer line is a moisture source. Roots enter at the joints, hairline cracks, and any spot where the pipe has shifted. By the time you notice a backup, the root mass can be the size of a basketball.

How Much Does a Sewer Camera Inspection Cost in Troy MI?

Typical 2026 pricing for a sewer camera inspection in Troy MI runs $250 to $450 for a residential line. The range depends on access, line length, and whether we need to clear a blockage first to get the camera through. If we find a clog during the inspection, we can often clear it in the same visit.

Compare that to the cost of guessing wrong. Replacing a main sewer line in Troy runs $4,500 to $15,000 depending on depth, length, and whether the driveway or landscaping has to come out. A camera inspection is the cheapest insurance you can buy against that bill.

Some companies waive the inspection fee if you book the repair with them. We do not play that game. We charge for the inspection, show you the footage, and give you a written report. What you do with it is your call.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Finds That Other Tools Miss

A camera sees what a snake cannot. Here is what we find on a regular basis in Troy:

• Root intrusion - roots entering at joints, often 10 to 30 feet from the house.
• Bellied pipe - a section of pipe that has sunk and holds water, catching debris.
• Offset joints - clay tile sections that have shifted, creating a lip that snags waste.
• Cracks and fractures - from ground movement or age, letting soil and roots in.
• Scale buildup - mineral crust on cast iron that narrows the pipe to half its original diameter.
• Collapsed sections - the pipe has failed completely and no amount of snaking will help.
• Illegal connections - sump pumps or downspouts tied into the sanitary line, which is a common cause of backups during heavy rain.

Each of these has a different fix. A root intrusion might need hydro jetting. A belly might need a spot repair. A collapsed line needs replacement. Without the camera, you are guessing.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make With Sewer Line Problems

The biggest mistake is treating a main line problem like a sink clog. Chemical drain cleaners eat through organic blockages but do nothing for roots, bellies, or breaks. Worse, they sit in the pipe and corrode older cast iron.

The second mistake is hiring the cheapest snake job and hoping. If a company snakes your line without offering a camera, you will see them again. And again. The third mistake is ignoring the warning signs until the line collapses. A partial blockage gives you weeks or months of slow drains. A collapse gives you a flooded basement and a $10,000 repair.

One more: assuming your home warranty covers the sewer line. Most do not cover main line repairs or replacement. Read the fine print before you rely on it.

When to Call a Professional

Call us when you have two or more of the signs above, when you are buying a home in Troy, or when your drains back up after you have already snaked them once. We handle Sewer Camera Inspection Troy MI for homeowners across the city, and we can usually get to you within 24 hours. If the line is blocked, we clear it first so the camera can see the whole run. Then we show you the footage and explain your options in plain language.

We also work in the neighboring communities. If you are just outside Troy, we serve Drain Cleaning in Clawson MI and the surrounding areas with the same equipment and the same approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need a sewer camera inspection in Troy MI?

You need one if you have had two backups in a year, multiple slow drains, gurgling toilets, or sewage smells in the basement. If your home was built before 1980 and has never been scoped, schedule one. The inspection costs $250 to $450 and can save you thousands.

What are the signs of sewer line damage in Troy, Michigan?

Signs include repeated backups, slow drains throughout the house, gurgling sounds, sewage odors, and wet spots in the yard over the sewer line. In older Troy neighborhoods with clay tile or cast iron lines, root intrusion and joint offsets are the most common damage we find.

How much does a sewer camera inspection cost in Troy MI?

In 2026, a residential sewer camera inspection in Troy typically costs $250 to $450. The price depends on line length, access, and whether we need to clear a blockage first. We give you a written report and show you the footage before we leave.

Can a sewer camera inspection find blockages in Troy MI?

Yes. A camera shows the exact location and cause of a blockage, whether it is roots, grease, scale, or a collapsed pipe. We mark the depth on the ground so any repair crew knows exactly where to dig. Snaking clears a blockage; the camera tells you why it happened.

How often should I get a sewer scope inspection in Troy MI?

Every 2 to 3 years if your home has an older clay or cast iron line, or if you have large trees near the sewer. If you are buying a home, get one before you close. If you have never had one, start now.

Get Help With Drain Cleaning in Troy

If any of these signs sound familiar, do not wait for the next backup. We can scope your line, show you exactly what is going on, and fix it right the first time. Call Troy Drain Pros at (248) 691-5596 to schedule your sewer camera inspection in Troy.