At The Sewer Inspection Company, we make the sewer scope inspection process simple, efficient, and informative. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so you know what to expect before we arrive.
Call Now: 972-333-5448Know What’s Underground, Before You Buy.
Our Sewer Scope Inspection Process
A good inspection is not just pushing a camera down a pipe. It is a clear process that leaves you with real answers and a plan. To see the kind of footage this process produces, our Ultimate Guide to Sewer Inspection Videos shows real inspections from start to finish.
Step 1: Access Point Identification
We start by locating the best entry point for the camera, typically through a cleanout or an accessible drain. Choosing the right access point means we can see the most of your line with the least disruption, and it sets up a clean, complete inspection from the very first foot of pipe.
Step 2: Camera Inspection
A high-resolution camera is inserted into the sewer line, recording video as it travels through the system. You see the actual condition of the pipe, joint by joint, all the way to the city connection. Nothing is left to guesswork or to a quick glance.
Step 3: Real-Time Analysis
As the camera moves, our inspector monitors the footage to identify any issues, defects, or areas of concern, things like roots, bellies, offsets, cracks, or cast iron buildup. Watching in real time means we can pause, take a closer look, and confirm exactly what we are seeing instead of reviewing it later and hoping we caught everything.
Step 4: Detailed Report & Narrated Video
You will receive a clear report outlining:
- Findings and problem areas documented in plain language.
- A narrated YouTube video that walks you through exactly what the camera found, with the video link shared directly with you.
- Professional recommendations for what to do next.
Full transparency: We prepare a narrated video of your inspection and share the link with you, uploaded to our channel at youtube.com/@THESEWERINSPECTIONCOMPANY. That means you have a video you can watch on your own time and easily share with your agent, your family, or a plumber. And your written master plumber report reflects these exact video findings, so the report and the footage always tell the same story.
The report and narrated video are yours to keep, share with your agent, or hand to a plumber for an accurate repair bid.
Step 5: Expert Guidance
Finally, we walk you through the results and help you understand your options for repairs or maintenance. No pressure and no jargon, just a straight conversation about what we found and what it means for you. You leave the inspection knowing exactly where you stand.
Ready to Schedule Your Inspection?
Call or schedule online and we will walk you through the whole process, start to finish.
Schedule Online Call Now: 972-333-5448The real-time analysis step is the one customers tell me they appreciate most. I had a homeowner watching over my shoulder when the camera reached a root mass at a joint. Instead of just noting it, we backed up, looked at it from a couple angles, and I showed him exactly how the roots were getting in. By the time we finished he understood his line better than most plumbers would have explained it. That is what watching it live does.
Watch: Real Sewer Inspection Videos
This is the kind of footage our process captures, the same video you would get in your report. See the difference between a clean line and one with roots, bellies, offsets, and cast iron damage. For the full set with explanations, see our Ultimate Guide to Sewer Inspection Videos.
Sewer Inspection Video 1
Sewer Inspection Video 2
Sewer Inspection Video 3
Sewer Inspection Video 4
Sewer Inspection Video 5
Sewer Inspection Video 6
Why a Clear Process Matters
A defined process is not just about being organized. It protects you. Identifying the right access point means we see the whole line. Real-time analysis means problems are caught and confirmed, not missed. And a detailed report with documentation gives you something solid to act on, whether that means negotiating a repair, planning maintenance, or moving forward with confidence.
Early on, I learned how much the access-point step matters. A rushed inspection that starts at the wrong spot can miss half the line. On one job, switching to a different cleanout revealed a problem the first access point never would have shown. Ever since, taking a few extra minutes up front to find the right entry is a step we never skip.
The Equipment We Use
Our process runs on professional-grade gear:
- RIDGID SeeSnake camera and reel for clear, high-resolution video of the full line.
- RIDGID SeekTech SR-20 locator to mark the exact position of a defect at the surface.
- RIDGID SeekTech ST-305 line transmitter to trace the path and depth of the pipe.
Areas We Serve
The Sewer Inspection Company runs the same process wherever we scope. If you are in Plano, Frisco, or McKinney, we will walk you through every step.
Call Now: 972-333-5448Know What’s Underground, Before You Buy.
Sewer Scope Process FAQ
How long does the inspection take?
Usually 30 to 45 minutes from access to report, including recording the video and locating any problem we find.
Do I need to be home for it?
It helps if you can be there for the real-time analysis and walkthrough, but it is not required. Either way, you get the full report and documentation afterward.
What if you find a problem?
We document it, locate it, and explain your options for repair or maintenance. You decide what happens next, with no pressure from us. Call 972-333-5448 or schedule online.
Can I keep the video and report?
Yes. The documentation is yours to keep, review, and share with your agent or a repair company.
Local City References
For local permitting, inspection, and adopted-code details across our service area, these resources apply:
- City of Plano, Building Inspections Division, permitting and inspection requirements.
- City of Frisco, Building Inspections and adopted construction codes.
- City of McKinney, Building Inspections and residential permitting.
Tools and Equipment Used
The professional equipment behind every step of the process:
- RIDGID SeeSnake sewer inspection cameras and reels (high-resolution sewer line video).
- RIDGID SeekTech SR-20 locator (surface location of pipe defects).
- RIDGID SeekTech ST-305 line transmitter (pipe path and depth tracing).
Plumbing Code Reference Section (IPC & UPC)
The 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) are the current model editions for sanitary drainage, cleanouts, vents, traps, and building-sewer requirements. These ten references provide the code context behind a sewer scope inspection. For the full reference library, see the code section of our Ultimate Guide to Sewer Inspection Videos.
| # | Code Reference | Why It Matters for a Sewer Inspection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024 IPC, Full Code | General International Plumbing Code reference for residential plumbing. |
| 2 | 2024 IPC, Chapter 3 General Regulations | Testing, inspection, and protection requirements for plumbing systems. |
| 3 | 2024 IPC, Chapter 7 Sanitary Drainage | Core building-sewer, drainage, and cleanout provisions an inspection checks. |
| 4 | 2024 IPC, Chapter 10 Traps, Interceptors and Separators | Trap, sewer gas, and interceptor context tied to drainage performance. |
| 5 | 2024 IPC, Chapter 9 Vents | Venting that supports proper drainage flow and trap protection. |
| 6 | 2024 IPC, Chapter 11 Storm Drainage | Exterior drainage often confused with sewer issues during an inspection. |
| 7 | 2024 UPC, Full Code | Uniform Plumbing Code reference for sanitary drainage and plumbing standards. |
| 8 | 2024 UPC, Drainage Systems | Building-sewer sizing, slope, and drainage requirements. |
| 9 | 2024 UPC, Cleanouts | Cleanout placement and access, the entry point for a camera inspection. |
| 10 | 2024 UPC, Inspection and Testing | Inspection and testing provisions relevant to verifying a sewer line. |
Simple, Efficient, Informative.
Call The Sewer Inspection Company and see your sewer line the right way, step by step.
Schedule Online Call Now: 972-333-5448