We sometimes link to products we recommend. If you buy through these links, Kimco may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only mention products we'd install in our own homes.
A sewer camera inspection lets a plumber see inside the drain or sewer line instead of guessing. If you have repeated clogs, sewer backups, slow drains throughout the house, or you are buying an older home, a camera inspection can be one of the most useful plumbing diagnostics you can pay for.
In Central Texas, sewer problems are often tied to older pipe materials, mature trees, shifting soil, grease buildup, bellies in the line, and previous repairs that were never done correctly. A camera does not fix the pipe by itself, but it can show what is actually happening.
How Much Does a Sewer Camera Inspection Cost?
A standalone sewer camera inspection is commonly around $389 in Kimco's current flat-rate pricing.
If the line also needs to be cleared, main line clearing commonly falls around $389-$477, depending on whether there is an accessible cleanout. A main line with a usable cleanout is usually more straightforward. A line without a cleanout can take more time and may require different access.
These are rounded planning numbers. The final price can change if access is poor, the line is badly blocked, there is no usable cleanout, the camera cannot pass the obstruction, or additional repair work is needed.
When a Camera Inspection Is Worth It
A sewer camera is worth considering when the same drain keeps backing up, multiple drains are slow at the same time, sewage is coming up through a tub or floor drain, or a main line clog comes back after being cleared.
It is also smart before major sewer repair. If someone is recommending excavation, pipe replacement, or a reroute, camera footage can help confirm where the problem is and whether the recommended repair matches the actual condition of the pipe.
Home buyers should also consider a sewer camera inspection on older homes, homes with large trees near the sewer line, homes with cast iron or clay pipe, and homes where drain history is unknown.
What a Sewer Camera Can Show
A camera inspection can identify roots, grease buildup, broken pipe, collapsed pipe, offsets, bellies, standing water, foreign objects, poor slope, and pipe material changes.
It can also show whether a clog is isolated to one branch line or if the main sewer line is involved. That matters because the right fix for a kitchen sink drain is very different from the right fix for a failing main line.
What a Camera Cannot Do
A camera cannot see through a completely blocked line. In some cases, the line has to be cleared before the camera can travel far enough to inspect the pipe.
A camera also does not measure every plumbing issue by itself. The plumber still has to interpret what the camera shows, where the line runs, how deep it is, whether the problem is under the slab or in the yard, and what repair options make sense.
Camera First or Drain Cleaning First?
If water is actively backing up, drain clearing may come first so the line can flow again. After that, a camera inspection can help explain why the backup happened.
If the problem is recurring but not actively overflowing, a camera inspection may be the better first step. It can prevent paying for repeated drain cleaning when the real problem is roots, a belly, or a damaged pipe.
Central Texas Sewer Problems We Look For
Around Central Texas, we pay attention to tree roots, older clay or cast iron lines, soil movement, long runs from rural homes, poor cleanout access, and previous repairs that changed pipe material or slope.
These local details matter because two homes can have the same symptom but need very different repairs. One may need a simple main line clear. Another may need a spot repair, root removal, cleanout installation, or a larger sewer line replacement.
When to Call
Call a plumber if multiple drains are backing up, sewage is coming into the home, a toilet gurgles when another fixture drains, a clog keeps returning, or you smell sewer gas near drains or cleanouts.
Kimco Plumbing & Air provides sewer camera inspections, drain clearing, and sewer repair options across Central Texas. Call (737) 260-7255 if you need a camera inspection or want to know whether a sewer repair quote is backed by real footage.
A note on this article
Articles on this site are for informational purposes only and reflect general industry practice as of publication. Always follow your equipment's manufacturer documentation for specific procedures. Work involving gas, refrigerant, or 240V electrical systems should be performed by a licensed professional. Pricing reflects typical Central Texas ranges and varies by job, brand, and access. If you're not sure whether something is safe to attempt yourself, call us at (737) 260-7255.