What Does a Sewer Camera Inspection Tell You?
A sewer camera inspection shows the exact condition of the pipe running from the house to the street. Standard home inspections do not cover this. That means the sewer line could be cracked, full of roots, or close to collapsing, and you would not know until the first backup.
According to HomeAdvisor’s 2025 sewer inspection data, the average sewer camera inspection costs between $100 and $300, while a sewer line replacement runs $5,000 to $15,000 or more. At The Sewer Kings, we run CCTV drain surveys for homebuyers across South Jersey every week.
What Problems Does a Sewer Camera Catch?
The camera catches cracks, fractures, root intrusion, pipe offsets, bellies where water pools, grease buildup, and full or partial collapse. It also reveals the pipe material. Older homes may have clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg pipes nearing the end of their lifespan.
We recently ran a sewer scope for a homebuyer in South Jersey. The inspection revealed root intrusion and a sewer belly that would have cost thousands to repair after closing. The buyer used the camera report to negotiate the sale price down.
When Should Homebuyers and Homeowners Get a Sewer Inspection?
Any home older than 20 years should get a sewer camera inspection before purchase. Homes with large trees near the sewer line are higher risk for root intrusion. Properties that have been vacant for an extended period may have settled or cracked pipes.
According to Angi’s 2026 sewer inspection guide, the national average for a full sewer camera inspection falls between $271 and $1,730, with most residential lateral inspections in the $100 to $450 range.
Current homeowners benefit from camera inspections too. If you have recurring backups, slow drains, or notice wet spots in your yard, a camera inspection finds the cause fast. Anthony Papaneri, co-owner of The Sewer Kings, puts it simply: “Getting the diagnosis right before starting work is what keeps the repair from becoming a recurring problem.”
Why Are Sewer Inspections Especially Important in New Jersey?
New Jersey has a wide mix of pipe materials depending on when and where the home was built. Homes from the 1950s and 1960s across South Jersey often have Orangeburg pipes made from compressed tar paper. These pipes have a lifespan of about 50 years and many are failing now.
South Jersey soil conditions make sewer lines more vulnerable to root intrusion. Sandy loam retains moisture near pipes, which attracts roots from oaks, maples, and willows. Properties in Evesham, Voorhees, Cherry Hill, and Haddonfield commonly have mature trees growing within reach of the sewer lateral.
Several municipalities in New Jersey now require sewer lateral inspections as part of the home sale process. Even where it is not required by law, mortgage lenders and real estate attorneys increasingly recommend it.
How Do You Use Sewer Inspection Results?
If the camera shows a clean, structurally sound pipe, you buy with confidence. If it reveals problems, you have three options: ask the seller to repair before closing, negotiate a price reduction, or walk away.
A recorded video and written report from a licensed company carries weight with real estate attorneys and sellers. Many buyers in South Jersey have saved $5,000 to $15,000 on their home purchase by using a sewer scope report during negotiations.
For more on what problems look like and what they cost to fix, read our guides on how to tell if your sewer line needs replacing and how to find where your sewer line runs. If cost is a concern, check whether every home has a sewer line to understand your system type.