Sewer Scope and Camera Inspection in Seattle
A sewer scope runs a waterproof camera through your side sewer and records what it finds, foot by foot: roots, cracks, offset joints, sags, exposed aggregate and pipe material changes. It’s the most useful single step before deciding on any sewer repair, and before buying an older home.
SPU recommends inspecting your side sewer at least every 8–10 years, and at least every 2–3 years if large trees or shrubs grow near it (SPU).
Based in Magnolia at 4027 W Bertona St, Seattle
Why scope a sewer before you buy
A side sewer can be fully owner-responsible and expensive to replace, and it can't be seen in a normal home inspection. SPU recommends a side sewer inspection before buying a property (SPU maintenance). In 98199, 49.8% of housing units were built before 1960 and the median year built is 1960 (Census ACS 2020–2024). Many lines here are decades old.
A pre-purchase scope tells you the pipe material, whether there are roots or structural defects, and roughly where any problem sits relative to the house and the street.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25034 & B25035.
What a camera can find
- Root intrusion: graded minor to severe; SPU suggests inspecting every 1–2 years with routine cleaning once roots obstruct 50% or more of the pipe.
- Cracks and fractures: moderate cracks call for inspection every 1–2 years and planning for repairs if they worsen.
- Offset joints and sags: where debris settles and backups start.
- Exposed aggregate in concrete pipe: common in Seattle. Severe cases with holes are considered structural failure.
- Grease and debris: a cleaning issue unless a defect is causing it.
- Transitions and repairs: where pipe material changes, past spot repairs, and the connection at the main.
Source: SPU: Side sewer defects and issues.
What your inspection report should include
- The video file (or a link to it), so another contractor or the City can review it. SPU suggests keeping it for any future claim.
- Where the camera went in (cleanout, roof vent or fixture) and how far it reached. Ideally it reaches the main.
- Each defect with its footage from the entry point, and the depth if a locator was used.
- Pipe materials observed.
- A plain-English recommendation for each finding: no action, monitor, clean, or repair.
Source: SPU: Side sewer repair methods.
Talk to us about sewer camera inspection
Call 206-593-3737, or send us a request online and we’ll get back to you.
Locating the line
Utility locate services (811) mark public utilities but not private lines such as your side sewer. SPU says owner-owned lines need a private locator. A camera with a sonde transmitter lets the line be traced and marked on the surface. Combine that with the City's side sewer card for your address (SPU permits).
Scoping after a clog
If your line just backed up, the order is: clear it, then camera it. SPU notes cameras generally can’t see what’s blocking a full line and are most useful after the blockage is cleared. Scoping after drain cleaning or jetting shows whether roots or a structural defect caused the clog.
Who can scope: SPU’s guidance says you can use any licensed plumber for a side sewer scope.
Sources: SPU: Side sewer repair methods; SPU: Taking Care of Your Sewer Pipe (PDF).
Booking an inspection
Call 206-593-3737. Have the address and, if you’re buying, the inspection deadline handy. Ask for a copy of the video and a written summary of what was found and where.
How a job works
- Call or send a request. Tell us what’s happening. If water or sewage is coming up, we’ll walk you through stopping it first.
- Find the cause. Clear the line or open the access, then look: a camera for sewers, a test for leaks and water heaters.
- Options in plain English. What we found, where it is, and the repair choices. You decide before work starts.
- Permit, work, inspection. Where Seattle requires a permit (SPU for side sewers, Public Health for plumbing), the work is permitted and inspected.
Sewer Camera Inspection: common questions
How often should I have my sewer line inspected in Seattle?
SPU recommends at least every 8–10 years, and at least every 2–3 years if large trees or shrubs grow near the side sewer. It also recommends an inspection before buying a home.
Do I need a permit for a sewer camera inspection?
No. SPU requires permits for side sewer repair, alteration and new connections. Inspecting, rootering and unclogging don’t need one.
Should I get a copy of the sewer video?
Yes. SPU recommends confirming that the contractor will give you a copy. It’s useful for second opinions and for any claim involving the City’s portion of the line.
Can the camera tell me who is responsible for a problem?
It can show where a defect is relative to the property line and the main. SPU suggests having the footage written down and the spot marked, which helps determine whether the problem is within the City’s area of responsibility.
Where we offer sewer camera inspection
- Magnolia: our home neighborhood (98199).
- Queen Anne: 26% of 98119 housing predates 1940, so a pre-purchase scope is worth it
- Interbay: scope before buying on the Magnolia or Queen Anne slopes
- Ballard: especially for 98117 homes, 60% built before 1960
- Fremont: 34.7% of 98103 housing units were built before 1940
Related services
- Sewer Repair: Broken, sagging, root-filled or backed-up sewer lines, diagnosed on camera before any digging.
- Drain Cleaning: Kitchen, bath, laundry and main-line clogs cleared, with a camera when the clog keeps coming back.
- Side Sewer Repair & Replacement: Repair or replace the private sewer pipe from your house to the City main, permitted through SPU.
- Hydro Jetting: High-pressure water cleaning for grease, sludge and roots, and to prepare a pipe for lining.
Get help with sewer camera inspection
Call 206-593-3737, or send us a request online and we’ll get back to you.