Why a Sewer Video Inspection Is Only the First Step

A sewer camera can show you the problem—but do you know exactly where that problem is?

Sewer video inspections are one of the best tools available for understanding the condition of your home’s sewer line. A camera inspection can identify tree-root intrusion, cracks, separated joints, deteriorated pipe, bellies, obstructions, broken sections and other defects that may require attention.

But there’s something many homeowners don’t realize:

Seeing a sewer defect on camera and knowing exactly where that defect is located are two different things.

At Cichy’s Water & Sewer, we receive sewer inspection videos from homeowners, buyers, sellers and real estate professionals every week. Often, the inspection report does a good job documenting what was seen inside the pipe.

The problem comes when someone asks us:

“How much will it cost to fix it?”

That’s when location—and depth—matter.

Your Sewer Report Says There’s a Problem at 52 Feet. Now What?

A typical sewer inspection might document findings like:

• 0′ – Camera entered sewer
• 30′ – Root intrusion
• 52′ – Cracked or separated pipe
• 75′ – Additional defect
• 92′ – City sewer connection

That information can be very helpful. It tells us approximately how far the camera traveled through the sewer line when a particular condition was observed.

But it doesn’t necessarily tell us where the 52-foot defect is physically located on the property.

Is it under the front yard?

Under the driveway?

Below a retaining wall?

Under a sidewalk or concrete patio?

Near the foundation?

In the boulevard?

Out in the street?

And just as importantly—how deep is it?

Those details can significantly affect the repair method, equipment needed, restoration involved and ultimately the cost of the repair.

52 Feet Into the Sewer Does NOT Mean 52 Feet Into Your Front Yard

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings we encounter with sewer inspection reports.

If the camera shows a defect at 52 feet, that means the camera has traveled approximately 52 feet through the sewer pipe from its starting point.

It does not automatically mean you can walk 52 feet straight out from the house and find the problem.

Sewer lines don’t always travel in a perfectly straight line. The camera may also have been inserted through a basement access, interior cleanout, exterior cleanout or another access point.

Footage on the camera tells us where we are inside the pipe. A trace and locate helps us determine where that point is from above ground.

That’s an important distinction—especially if excavation may be required.

That’s Where a Sewer Trace & Locate Comes In

When a sewer defect may require excavation, one of the next steps is often to trace and locate the sewer line and the area of concern.

Many professional sewer camera systems use a camera head or transmitter that sends a signal from underground. A technician uses locating equipment above ground to detect that signal.

This helps us determine the physical location of the sewer and obtain important depth information.

Instead of simply knowing:

“There’s a broken section of sewer at approximately 52 feet.”

We can provide much more useful information:

“The defect is located here in the front yard, approximately this deep.”

Now we have information that can actually be used when evaluating the repair.

That white or green mark you sometimes see painted on a customer’s lawn isn’t random. It can represent valuable information about where the sewer travels underground and where an area of concern has been located.

Why Location and Depth Matter When Pricing a Sewer Repair

Imagine calling a contractor and saying:

“My sewer inspection says I have a bad separation at 55 feet. How much will it cost to repair?”

A sewer contractor will likely need more information before providing an accurate excavation proposal.

Where is the 55-foot mark?

How deep is the sewer?

What’s above it?

A repair in an open front yard may be very different from a repair beneath a driveway, sidewalk, retaining wall, landscaping or roadway.

Depth matters, too. Excavating several feet below grade is very different from reaching a sewer located much deeper underground.

Without this information, there are significant unknowns that can affect the scope and price of the work.

We See This Situation Almost Every Week

Someone contacts Cichy’s with a sewer video and asks us to provide an estimate for the recommended repair.

We review the information and then ask:

“Where is this defect physically located, and how deep is it?”

Unfortunately, the answer is often:

“I don’t know.”

That’s understandable. Most homeowners aren’t sewer contractors, and they may have assumed the footage displayed on the video gave a contractor everything needed to price the repair.

Unfortunately, if the defect wasn’t traced and located during the original inspection, another appointment may be needed before an accurate excavation proposal can be prepared.

That can mean additional time—and potentially additional expense—to obtain information that could have been collected during the sewer evaluation.

What Can a Sewer Camera Actually Find?

A professional sewer inspection can reveal much more than a simple clog.

Depending on the sewer’s condition, a camera may identify:

Tree-root intrusion growing through joints, cracks or openings in the pipe.

Cracks and fractures developing in clay tile or other sewer materials.

Separated or offset joints where sections of pipe no longer align properly.

Broken or missing pipe where soil or surrounding earth may even be visible.

Deterioration or decay affecting the integrity of the existing sewer.

Standing water or bellies that may indicate an area of the sewer is holding water.

Obstructions and debris restricting the sewer.

Connections and transitions between different pipe materials or sewer sections.

A good sewer evaluation isn’t simply about finding one ugly screenshot.

The technician should evaluate the overall condition of the sewer line and what the camera is showing throughout the inspection.

For example, seeing some water in a pipe does not automatically mean there’s a significant belly. Likewise, a defect that looks small in one frame may deserve closer evaluation to understand its significance.

The camera gives us the visual information. Experience helps us interpret what we’re seeing.

A Good Sewer Evaluation Should Answer: “What Do I Do Next?”

Finding a defect is only part of the process.

If a sewer inspection identifies a problem, the homeowner’s next questions are usually:

Does this actually need to be repaired?

Where is it?

How deep is it?

What’s located above it?

Can it be repaired using CIPP lining or another trenchless method?

Will excavation be required?

What might the repair involve?

These are the questions that ultimately help determine the appropriate repair method and allow a contractor to develop a more accurate proposal.

At Cichy’s, our goal isn’t simply to hand you a video and tell you there’s a problem.

We want to give you useful information that helps you understand your sewer and make an informed decision about what comes next.

That’s Why Cichy’s Offers Two Sewer Video Options

Not everyone needs the same level of sewer documentation.

Sometimes you simply need an experienced sewer professional to evaluate what’s happening inside the pipe. Other times, you need detailed information that can be saved, shared or used when making decisions about a property or future repair.

That’s why Cichy’s Water & Sewer offers two sewer evaluation options.

$99 Sewer Diagnostic Evaluation

Our $99 Sewer Diagnostic Evaluation is designed for customers who primarily need a professional evaluation of their sewer line without extensive documentation.

It can be a great starting point when you’re experiencing a sewer concern and want an experienced professional to help determine what’s happening inside the pipe.

$250 Documented Sewer Evaluation

Need more information and documentation?

Our $250 Documented Sewer Evaluation is designed for situations where more complete documentation is important.

If we identify an area that may require repair, our goal is to gather the useful information needed to understand the problem and determine the next step—including location information when appropriate.

The difference isn’t simply putting a camera down the sewer. It’s how much information and documentation you need when the inspection is finished.

Before You Pay for a Sewer Scope, Ask What’s Included

Not all sewer inspections provide the same information.

Before scheduling one, ask what you’re actually going to receive when the inspection is complete.

Will you receive access to the video?

Will the findings be documented?

Will significant defects be identified?

If a defect may require excavation, will its physical location be traced?

Will useful depth information be obtained?

Will you have enough information to take the next step and request a repair estimate?

A lower-cost inspection may initially sound like the better deal. But if a significant problem is discovered and you later need another appointment to determine where the problem actually is, the original inspection may not have provided all the information you needed.

Getting a Second Opinion? Send More Than Just a Screenshot

If another company performed your sewer inspection and you’re contacting Cichy’s for a second opinion or repair estimate, send us as much information as possible.

The complete sewer video is generally more useful than one or two screenshots because it allows us to see the condition of the sewer leading up to and beyond the area of concern.

If a trace and locate was performed, also provide the documented location and depth information.

The more useful information we have, the better we can evaluate what may be involved and help you determine the appropriate next step.

Know What’s in Your Pipes—and Where It Is

A sewer video inspection shouldn’t leave you with more questions than answers.

If your sewer is in good condition, that’s valuable information.

If there’s a problem, you should understand what was found, where it’s located and what your options are moving forward.

At Cichy’s Water & Sewer, we’ve been working underground since 1989. We understand sewer systems from both sides of the camera—from identifying defects inside the pipe to determining what it will actually take to repair them underground.

See the problem. Locate it. Understand your options.

What’s in Your Pipes? Let’s Find Out.

Whether you need a $99 Sewer Diagnostic Evaluation or the additional documentation available with our $250 Documented Sewer Evaluation, Cichy’s can help you better understand what’s happening underground.

Ready to see what’s happening inside your sewer? Learn more about our [Sewer Video Inspection services] and what to expect during an evaluation.

Cichy’s Water & Sewer
Installation • Repairs • Maintenance
Trusted Since 1989
Minneapolis & the Twin Cities Area
612-722-2770

What’s in your pipes? Let’s find out.