Sewer Camera Inspection
See Exactly What's Wrong — Before Any Repair Begins
Bison Plumbing feeds a Picote Solutions waterproof HD camera through your sewer line and shows you the footage live. Every repair we recommend is based on evidence you can see — not guesswork. Serving Warren, MI and Macomb & Oakland County since 1998.
A sewer camera inspection feeds a Picote Solutions HD waterproof camera through your sewer line to reveal cracks, root intrusion, bellied pipe, grease buildup, and collapses in real time — without any digging. Bison Plumbing uses this footage to confirm exactly what repair is needed before quoting a single dollar. Three inspection types are available: diagnostic (you have symptoms), pre-purchase (buying a home), and post-repair verification (confirming the fix was done correctly). Cost: $150–$400 standalone; often included with trenchless repair.
The most expensive sewer repair mistakes happen before a single wrench is turned. A plumber who recommends lining a pipe that's already collapsed has chosen the wrong method. A homebuyer who closes on a 1962 Birmingham colonial without a sewer inspection may be assuming a $20,000 liability that the seller knew nothing about. A homeowner who gets their main line snaked three times in a year without a camera look is treating symptoms, not causes.
Bison Plumbing uses Picote Solutions HD sewer camera equipment — not commodity cable-cams — on every diagnostic job. The difference shows in the footage quality and in the depth of what gets captured. You watch the inspection live. You see the root at the joint 42 feet from the cleanout. You see the belly where water pools. You see the liner void at 67 feet that would have gone undetected with a lower-resolution system. Then we write it up and hand you a report before we quote a repair.
That process — diagnose first, repair second — is the foundation of how Bison works. No blind snaking. No guesswork repair scopes. And no $15,000 repair recommendations that turn out to require a $400 drain cleaning.
What a Sewer Camera Inspection Reveals
The Picote Solutions HD camera captures everything inside your sewer line from the cleanout access point to the municipal connection. These are the five conditions it identifies — each of which drives a different repair decision:
Cracks & Fractures
Longitudinal and circumferential cracks from freeze-thaw stress, soil settlement, or age. Visible as bright lines in the pipe wall. Determines whether lining or bursting is required.
Root Intrusion
Tree roots entering at joint gaps. Captured as fibrous masses blocking flow — often at specific footage marks where joints exist. Root location determines whether cleaning, lining, or removal is needed first.
Bellied Pipe
Low spots where the pipe has sagged underground, causing water and debris to pool. Visible as standing water in the camera feed. Bellies cannot be fixed by lining — they require re-grade or replacement.
Grease & Scale Buildup
Organic buildup coating pipe walls, restricting flow diameter. Appears as a narrowing of the visible pipe. Determines whether hydro jetting is sufficient or structural repair is also needed.
Collapses
Full or partial pipe collapse blocking the camera path entirely. Indicates that lining is not viable — pipe bursting or excavation are the only solutions. Camera confirms this before any quote is given.
Offset Joints
Pipe sections that have shifted at connections, creating steps or gaps. Common in older clay pipe with soil movement. Offsets create root entry points and flow restrictions detectable by footage review.
Picote Solutions Equipment — What Separates Bison's Inspections
Not all sewer cameras are equal. Commodity cable-cams — the kind available at hardware stores and used by lower-cost competitors — deliver low-resolution footage that misses hairline cracks, misidentifies root type, and cannot reliably assess liner cure quality after CIPP installation.
Bison Plumbing operates Picote Solutions camera and cutting equipment — a professional-grade system that requires formal operator training and is used by municipal sewer departments and certified trenchless contractors. The resolution difference is visible: you see the texture of pipe walls, the fibrous structure of root intrusion, and the edge definition of cracks — in real time, on a monitor you're watching alongside the technician. Post-installation, the same camera system verifies ASTM F1743 compliance after every CIPP liner Bison installs.
Use Case 1: Diagnostic Camera Inspection
You have symptoms — slow drains, gurgling, odors, recurring backups — and need a definitive answer before you commit to a repair.
I Have Sewer Symptoms. What's Actually Wrong?
Slow drains, gurgling toilets, basement odors, and recurring backups are all symptoms — not diagnoses. The same symptom can come from a grease-coated cast-iron branch drain ($350 hydro jet), tree roots in the main sewer lateral ($4,000 lining), or a bellied pipe section ($12,000 replacement). The only way to know which is true is to put a camera in the pipe.
Bison's diagnostic camera inspection runs the Picote HD camera from your cleanout to the municipal connection, reviews every foot of footage live with you, and produces a written report before any repair scope is discussed. If the inspection reveals nothing structurally wrong — a simple blockage, not a broken pipe — you pay for the inspection and nothing else. If it reveals a problem, the repair scope is defined by what the camera shows, not by what a technician guesses from outside.
A single slow sink drain with no other symptoms is almost always a branch drain clog — a camera is typically unnecessary. But if multiple fixtures are slow simultaneously, if a clog returns within weeks of snaking, or if you're hearing gurgling from fixtures you aren't using, the main sewer line is almost certainly involved. At that point, a camera inspection is not optional — it's the only way to select the correct repair method.
Use Case 2: Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection
You're buying a home — often the largest financial transaction of your life — and nobody knows what condition the sewer line is in.
Is the Sewer Sound? Find Out Before You Close.
Standard home inspections do not include sewer line assessment. A home inspector walks through the house, tests the faucets, and moves on. What they don't see is the 60-foot clay lateral running from the foundation to the street — the one with three root intrusion points and an offset joint at the 40-foot mark that will cost $18,000 to repair.
In Birmingham, Troy, and Rochester Hills — where Bison sees consistent pre-purchase inspection demand — a $250–$350 camera inspection before closing is among the highest-ROI decisions a buyer can make. If the camera reveals a significant defect, buyers in these markets routinely negotiate the repair cost as a seller credit. A $250 inspection that surfaces a $17,500 seller concession is not unusual; Bison has documented multiple cases of exactly this outcome in Oakland County transactions.
For homes built before 1990 throughout Macomb and Oakland County — and especially pre-1970 homes with clay sewer laterals — a pre-purchase sewer inspection is non-optional due diligence, not an optional add-on. Learn more about pre-purchase sewer inspections and what the report covers.
Bison Plumbing works regularly with Oakland County real estate agents who include sewer camera inspection as part of their listing preparation and buyer due diligence recommendations. Reports are formatted for use in purchase agreements and closing negotiations. Call (586) 784-4281 to discuss pre-listing inspection scheduling for your clients.
Use Case 3: Post-Repair Verification Inspection
A CIPP liner has been installed. How do you know it's fully cured, properly seated, and meets the compliance standard it was quoted against?
Confirm the Repair Was Done Correctly
CIPP pipe lining — cured-in-place pipe — involves inserting a resin-saturated liner into a damaged sewer line and curing it in place to form a new pipe within the old one. When it works correctly, the liner fully adheres to the pipe interior, covers all joints and defect points, and cures to full structural hardness. When it doesn't — due to improper liner sizing, incomplete curing, or installation error — the result is voids, delamination, or uncovered joint gaps that leave the underlying pipe vulnerable.
Bison's post-repair verification inspection runs the Picote Solutions HD camera through the lined section immediately after cure to confirm liner seating, joint coverage, and pipe diameter restoration — the three parameters that determine whether a CIPP installation meets its specification. This inspection is performed per ASTM F1743 standard and the report documents compliance for warranty and municipal record purposes. For Bison trenchless repairs, this inspection is included in the project — not billed separately.
The Inspection Process — Step by Step
Here's exactly what happens during a Bison sewer camera inspection, from the time the technician arrives to the moment you receive your written report:
Locate & Access the Cleanout
The technician locates your sewer cleanout access point — typically a capped pipe near the foundation or in the basement. If no cleanout is present or accessible, the camera is fed via the roof vent stack. Cleanout installation can be performed during the same visit if needed.
Feed the Picote HD Camera
The Picote Solutions waterproof HD camera is fed into the pipe from the cleanout. The flexible cable allows the camera to navigate bends and direction changes in your sewer line while maintaining orientation for accurate footage review.
Record the Full Run — Cleanout to Municipal Connection
The entire sewer lateral is recorded from the cleanout access point to the municipal sewer connection point. Footage is time-stamped and distance-marked so every finding can be referenced to an exact location in the pipe.
Live Review With Homeowner
You watch the footage as it's being captured — or review it immediately after the run. The technician narrates what's being seen: where roots appear, what crack formation looks like, what a belly looks like in the camera feed. There is no interpretation step you're excluded from.
Written Report & Recommended Next Steps
After the inspection, Bison provides a written report documenting all findings with footage timestamp references, pipe condition assessment, and recommended repair method — or a confirmation that no structural repair is needed. The report is yours to keep and use however needed.
You don't need to prepare anything — just know where your cleanout is if you have one, and whether any plumbing work has been done recently. If you've had any recent sewer cleaning or snaking, let the technician know, as this can affect what the camera footage shows. You do not need to clear out basement areas or move furniture.
Cost Range — Standalone vs. Included with Repair
| Inspection Type | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Camera Inspection | $150–$400 | Depends on pipe length and cleanout accessibility. Includes live review and written report. |
| Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection | $200–$350 | Often negotiated as seller concession in Macomb & Oakland County real estate transactions. Report formatted for closing use. |
| Post-Repair Verification (Bison Repair) | Included | Included in all Bison trenchless repair projects. ASTM F1743 compliance documentation provided. |
| Post-Repair Verification (Third-Party) | $150–$300 | Independent verification after another contractor's CIPP installation. Same Picote HD camera, same ASTM F1743 report. |
| Diagnostic Included With Repair | Included | When a camera inspection leads directly to a Bison repair quote and the work proceeds, the inspection cost is applied toward the repair. |
At $200–$350, a pre-purchase sewer camera inspection in Birmingham or Troy is among the highest-ROI home inspection investments available to buyers in these markets. The inspection cost is frequently returned as a seller concession many times over when defects are found — Bison has documented cases where a $250 inspection surfaced a $17,500 credit negotiated at closing. GreenSky financing (Ref: 81085618) is available for repair work following an inspection.
What Happens After the Camera Run
The inspection itself is the beginning of a decision process, not an end point. Once the Picote camera footage is reviewed and documented, you'll have three possible outcomes — each with a clear path forward.
No structural defects found. Drainage symptoms are from blockage, not broken pipe. A hydro jetting service or professional snaking resolves the problem. No structural repair needed. You pay for the inspection — nothing more.
Defects present, trenchless repair viable. Camera footage confirms cracks, root damage, or joint offsets that can be addressed by CIPP pipe lining or pipe bursting. Bison provides a written repair scope and quote directly from what the camera showed.
Collapse or belly present. Camera footage confirms a section that cannot be lined or burst — requiring targeted excavation and replacement. The camera footage defines exactly which section, avoiding unnecessary digging.
Your Written Inspection Report Includes
Provided after every Bison camera inspection
- Footage timestamp references for each finding
- Distance-from-cleanout measurements for defect locations
- Defect classification (crack, root, belly, offset, collapse, grease)
- Pipe material identification (clay, cast iron, PVC)
- Overall condition assessment and urgency rating
- Recommended repair method with rationale
- ASTM F1743 compliance notation for post-repair verifications
- Bison technician name, license number, and inspection date
Choose the Inspection That Fits Your Situation
Each inspection type serves a different need — diagnostic, pre-purchase, or post-repair. All three use the same Picote HD camera and produce the same written report format.
Diagnostic Sewer Camera Inspection
You have symptoms — recurring backups, slow drains, gurgling, odors. The camera finds the root cause before any repair method is chosen or quoted.
Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection
Buying a home built before 1990 in Macomb or Oakland County? Know what's underground before you close. Report formatted for closing negotiations.
Post-Repair Verification Inspection
CIPP liner installed? Confirm full cure, joint coverage, and pipe diameter restoration per ASTM F1743. Included with all Bison trenchless repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions — Sewer Camera Inspection
A standalone camera inspection with Bison Plumbing runs $150–$400 depending on pipe length and access. Pre-purchase inspections are typically $200–$350. Post-repair verification is included in Bison's trenchless repair package. If a diagnostic inspection leads directly to a repair job, the inspection cost is applied toward the repair. GreenSky financing is available for repairs following an inspection.
Standard home inspections test surface-level plumbing function — faucets, drains, visible pipes. They do not assess the underground sewer lateral between your foundation and the municipal connection. A sewer camera inspection reveals what's inside that pipe: root intrusion, cracks, bellied sections, offset joints, grease buildup, and collapses — none of which are visible from inside the home.
Most residential sewer camera inspections take 45 to 90 minutes on-site. This includes locating and accessing the cleanout, running the Picote camera the full length of the lateral, reviewing footage with you live, and discussing findings. If no cleanout is present and camera access requires going through the roof vent, add 20–30 minutes. The written report is typically sent same day or within 24 hours.
For any home built before 1990 in Macomb or Oakland County, a sewer camera inspection is strongly recommended before closing. Pre-1980 homes — especially those in Warren, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, and Rochester Hills with original clay or cast-iron sewer laterals — carry real risk of undisclosed sewer defects. A $250 inspection that reveals a $15,000–$25,000 problem before closing protects your purchase. If defects are found, buyers routinely negotiate repair costs as seller credits. Learn more about our pre-purchase sewer inspection service.
In most Macomb and Oakland County transactions, the buyer commissions and pays for the pre-purchase sewer inspection as part of due diligence — similar to the home inspection. If the camera reveals significant defects, the inspection cost is frequently recovered many times over through seller credits negotiated at closing. Some buyers also ask sellers to cover the inspection cost as part of the initial purchase offer.
ASTM F1743 is the industry standard governing post-installation inspection of CIPP pipe liners installed by the pull-in-place method. It defines what a post-repair camera inspection must confirm: full liner cure, proper seating against the pipe interior, joint coverage, and pipe diameter restoration. Bison's post-repair verifications comply with this standard and provide documented confirmation that your CIPP liner meets its specification — not just a technician's verbal assurance.
A Picote HD camera inspection is the most reliable non-invasive diagnostic available, capturing cracks, roots, bellies, collapses, offset joints, and grease buildup in real time. Hairline cracks that haven't yet opened, issues in branch drain lines not in the inspection run, and sections beyond inaccessible blockages may require additional access points to inspect. Bison will flag any sections that need follow-up during the inspection — never assume complete inspection without noting limitations in the report.
For homes older than 30 years with clay or cast-iron sewer laterals, a preventive camera inspection every 3–5 years is a reasonable maintenance cadence. Homes that have experienced root intrusion in the past benefit from more frequent inspection — annually to biannually — to catch regrowth before roots cause structural damage. After significant tree removal on or adjacent to your property, a camera inspection confirms whether roots have already infiltrated the pipe.
See What's Inside Your Sewer Line
Bison Plumbing's Picote HD camera inspection gives you real footage, a written report, and a repair recommendation based on evidence — not guesswork. Serving Warren, MI and Macomb & Oakland County since 1998.
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