Full Camera Run
We push the camera from the cleanout to the city main, recording the entire line. You see every joint, fitting, and transition, not just the spot where the blockage sits.
Licensed
Licensed & Bonded
Fully Insured
Insured & Bonded
24/7 Emergency
Same-Day Response
Warranty Backed
7+ Years Trusted in San Jose
What Our Sewer Camera Inspection Includes
Every inspection includes the camera run, the locator mark, and your video file. If the line is blocked, we quote any needed jetting or snaking before we start it, so the price you hear is the price you pay.
Defect Location Marking
The sonde locator pinpoints each defect on the surface and we mark it with paint. You get depth and distance, so any repair crew digs one hole instead of exploratory trenches.
Video File and Report
You receive the recorded footage and a written summary noting pipe material, defect type, and footage references. We email it the same day, ready for insurance, real estate, or your own records.
Flat Repair Quote
If the camera finds damage, we price the fix before we leave. That could be a spot repair, CIPP liner, or full replacement. You decide with the footage in front of you, no pressure.
Cleanout Check
We inspect your cleanout cover and fitting while we are there. A broken or missing cleanout lets roots and debris in, so we flag it and can install a new one if needed.
What Sewer Camera Inspection San Jose CA Really Involves
Sewer Camera Inspection San Jose CA is a diagnostic service that pushes a waterproof camera through your sewer line to record the inside of the pipe from the cleanout to the city main. We use a RIDGID or Spartan Tool reel with a locator, so we can mark the exact depth and distance of any defect on the surface. You get video of every joint, fitting, and transition, plus a written report with footage references.
San Jose homes built before 1980 often still have clay pipe or cast iron pipe, and both fail in predictable ways. Tree root intrusion is the number one call we get from Willow Glen and Rose Garden, where mature ficus and sycamore roots hunt moisture through hairline cracks. Grease buildup and offset pipe joints show up in older Downtown San Jose commercial kitchens. A sewer video inspection San Jose CA catches all of it before the line collapses.
How Our Sewer Camera Inspection Works
Five steps from phone call to footage in your hand. Most residential inspections wrap in under two hours.
01
Schedule
Call or book online — a real human picks up and confirms a 2-hour arrival window.
02
Diagnose
Licensed tech inspects on-site, then walks you through the cause and your options.
03
Fix
The job is completed to code and done right the first time — no shortcuts, no surprises.
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Guarantee
Every job backed by a written workmanship warranty — and we stand behind it.
Tools and Methods We Use
Tools & Equipment
RIDGID SeeSnake Camera
Self-leveling camera reel that records the pipe interior with a footage counter. It is our primary inspection tool for lines from 2 to 12 inches.
Spartan Tool Camera and Locator
Backup camera system with a sonde transmitter, used to pinpoint defects on the surface and confirm depth before any excavation.
Hydro Jetter
4,000 PSI water jetter that clears grease buildup and root masses so the camera can travel and the footage shows pipe condition.
Drain Snake
Mechanical auger used to open a blocked line before inspection when standing water prevents the camera from moving forward.
Pipe Locator
Electronic locator that traces the camera head underground and marks the defect location with paint on the surface.
Inserta Tee
Cleanout and lateral connection fitting used when we install a new access point so future camera inspections are quick.
Methods & Standards
NASSCO PACP Assessment
We code defects using the NASSCO PACP standard, which gives your report a consistent rating any contractor or municipality can read. It separates structural defects from maintenance items, so you know what is urgent and what can wait.
Pre-Jetting Inspection Prep
If the line is blocked, we hydro jet or snake first, then camera. This keeps the footage clean and prevents the camera from pushing through a grease mat that hides a crack underneath. It adds 15 to 30 minutes but saves a second visit.
Surface Marking and Depth Log
Every defect gets a paint mark and a depth reading. If repair is needed, the excavation crew knows exactly where to dig, which reduces the trench length and the restoration cost.
Post-Repair Verification
After any repair, we run the camera again to confirm the fix. You see the new pipe or liner on screen before we backfill or close the cleanout. That is your proof the job is done right.
When to Book a Camera Inspection
01
You are buying a home built before 1980 in Rose Garden or Alum Rock.
What we do: We inspect the full lateral for clay pipe cracks, root intrusion, and offset pipe joints. The report goes to your realtor and the seller the same day.
→ You know the true condition of the sewer before closing, so you can negotiate repairs or walk away with facts.
02
Your restaurant in Downtown San Jose has slow floor drains and a grease smell.
What we do: We camera the grease line after hours, document FOG buildup, and hydro jet the line. If the pipe is damaged, we quote CIPP liner.
→ You pass your next health inspection and avoid a sewage backup during service hours.
03
You had two backups in six months and the last plumber only snaked the line.
What we do: We run the camera to find the actual defect, mark it on the surface, and give you a flat repair quote. No more repeat snake visits.
→ The root cause gets fixed, and you stop paying for the same temporary clearing over and over.
04
A sewer smell lingers in your yard after heavy winter rain.
What we do: We inspect for cracked pipe and offset joints that let groundwater and sewage mix. The locator marks the leak so we can repair the exact section.
→ The smell is gone, the leak is fixed, and the soil around the line stops getting contaminated.
How Sewer Camera Inspection Runs in San Jose
San Jose sits on a mix of old and new infrastructure. Neighborhoods like Alum Rock and Rose Garden still have clay pipe laterals from the 1920s through the 1950s, and those lines crack, offset, and invite roots. Willow Glen and Cambrian Park have mature trees whose roots travel 20 to 40 feet to find moisture at a joint. Downtown San Jose commercial buildings deal with grease buildup and undersized lines from decades of kitchen use. Our winter rains raise the water table, which exposes bellied pipe and cracked sections that stay dry in summer. We keep cameras, hydro jetters, and locators on every truck, so we handle most inspections in one visit. If you need sewer video inspection San Jose CA 24/7, we run emergency calls after hours and on weekends. We pull permits through Santa Clara County when repair is needed and follow California plumbing code and UPC requirements on every job.
Neighborhoods We Serve
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Willow Glen
Mature ficus and sycamore roots are the top cause of root intrusion we find here. Most lines are original clay pipe from the 1940s and 1950s.
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Almaden Valley
Larger lots mean longer lateral runs, often 80 to 120 feet. Camera inspections here take longer and sometimes need a second cleanout for access.
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Downtown San Jose
Commercial grease lines and older cast iron pipe are common. We inspect after hours so restaurants do not lose service time.
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Evergreen
Mostly 1980s and 1990s PVC pipe, so defects are usually at fittings and cleanouts rather than along the pipe wall.
Local Conditions We Plan For
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Winter rains raise the water table
Groundwater enters cracked pipe and offsets, which can make a dry-weather line look fine in summer but back up in January. We inspect year-round and note groundwater intrusion in the report.
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Expansive clay soil
San Jose clay expands and contracts with moisture, shifting pipe and causing offset pipe joints. Camera inspections catch these shifts before the pipe separates completely.
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Mature tree canopy over laterals
Roots seek the moisture at pipe joints. We mark root intrusion locations so you can decide between hydro jetting maintenance and a permanent CIPP liner.
Root-Infested Clay Line in Willow Glen
Sewer Problems We Find Before They Worsen
Most sewer failures start small and give you warning signs. A camera inspection near me San Jose CA call is usually triggered by one of these five problems.
Problem
Repeat backups in the same drain
Snaking clears the symptom but leaves the cause, so the backup returns in weeks. Each visit costs money and the pipe keeps degrading.
Our Fix
We run a camera to see what the snake keeps hitting. Usually it is root infiltration at a joint or a bellied pipe holding debris. Once we see it, we recommend hydro jetting for roots or a spot repair for the belly.
Problem
Sewage smell in the yard or basement
That smell means a crack or offset pipe joint is leaking raw sewage into the soil. It can contaminate groundwater and undermine your foundation over time.
Our Fix
The camera finds the exact leak point and the locator marks it. We then quote a spot repair or CIPP liner depending on how much pipe is affected. Most leaks we find are fixed in a single day.
Problem
Slow drains throughout the house
When every drain is slow, the blockage is in the main line, not a branch. Ignoring it leads to a full sewage backup inside the home.
Our Fix
We camera the main from the cleanout and check for grease buildup, root intrusion, and pipe corrosion. If the line is clear but slow, we hydro jet it. If the pipe is damaged, we quote the repair.
Problem
Buying or selling a home
A failed sewer line can cost $8,000 to $25,000 to replace, and most standard home inspections do not cover it. Buyers get stuck with the bill after closing.
Our Fix
Our pre-sale camera inspection gives both sides a recorded report. If defects exist, the seller can repair before closing or negotiate. We provide the footage file the same day so escrow does not stall.
Why San Jose Homeowners Book Camera Inspections
A camera inspection is the cheapest way to avoid a five-figure excavation. Here is what you get when we run the camera.
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Stop Guessing, Start Fixing
We find the actual cause of your backup, whether that is root infiltration at 32 feet or a bellied pipe under the driveway. No more paying for repeated drain snake visits that clear the symptom and ignore the cause. One inspection gives you the full picture.
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Exact Depth and Location
Our locator marks the defect on the surface to within a few inches, so if we do need to dig, we dig one hole, not five. That saves you concrete, landscaping, and thousands in restoration. You see the mark before we ever break ground.
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Proof for Insurance and Real Estate
A recorded sewer video inspection near me San Jose request often comes from a buyer, seller, or adjuster who needs documentation. We hand you the footage file and a NASSCO PACP-style report you can forward directly. It settles disputes fast.
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Right Repair, First Time
If the line is sound, we tell you and you save the money. If it needs CIPP liner or a spot repair, the footage tells us which one and how much material. You approve the scope with your own eyes on the screen.
Licensed, Certified, and Local
Licensed & Certified
- NASSCO PACP Certification — issued by NASSCO
- California Contractor License — issued by California Contractors State License Board
- OSHA Safety Compliance — issued by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- EPA Compliance — issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Verified Reviews
Google ★★★★★4.9
They ran a camera on our line in Berryessa and found roots at 30 feet. Showed us the video, marked the spot, and quoted a liner. No pressure, no upselling. The liner was done in one day and we have not had a backup since.
Yelp ★★★★★4.8
Called at 11 p.m. with sewage backing into the garage. They had a tech here in under two hours, camera found a collapsed section, and they had it patched by morning. Fair emergency rate and they cleaned up the mess.
BBB ★★★★★4.9
We used them for a pre-sale inspection in Cambrian Park. The report was detailed, the video file came the same day, and the buyer's agent accepted it without question. Professional from start to finish.
Seven Years Running Cameras in San Jose
Sewer Line San Jose Pros has been inspecting and repairing sewer lines since 2019. Our technicians hold NASSCO PACP certification for pipeline assessment, and we keep current on California plumbing code and UPC requirements. We have run cameras through thousands of San Jose lines, from 1920s clay laterals in Alum Rock to 1990s PVC in Evergreen. That pattern recognition matters. We know what a failing joint looks like at 40 feet and what a normal root hair looks like at 12.
- NASSCO PACP certified for pipeline condition assessment and defect coding
- Licensed California plumbing contractor with Santa Clara County permits handled in-house
- RIDGID and Spartan Tool camera systems with sonde locators on every truck
- 7 years inspecting San Jose clay, cast iron, PVC, and HDPE sewer lines
- OSHA-compliant confined space and trench safety on every excavation job
What San Jose Customers Say
Real experiences from customers who chose our Sewer Camera Inspection services.
“We had two backups in six months and another company just kept snaking the line. Sewer Line San Jose Pros ran a camera and found roots at 38 feet plus a cracked section. They showed me the footage on their monitor right there in the yard. We did the CIPP liner and have not had a backup since.”
M
Maria G.
Homeowner, Willow Glen
“I manage six commercial buildings and needed NASSCO-style reports for the owners. Their tech inspected all six lines in one day and emailed the video files that evening. Clean work, fair price, and they marked the two problem spots so my excavation crew knew exactly where to dig.”
D
Dave R.
Property Manager, Downtown San Jose
“Our realtor told us to get a sewer video inspection before closing. They found an offset pipe joint and some root intrusion that the seller agreed to fix. The report was clear enough that there was no argument. Probably saved us $9,000 in surprise repairs after move-in.”
P
Priya S.
Homebuyer, Almaden Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers to the questions we hear most often from local homeowners and property managers.
How much does Sewer Camera Inspection cost in San Jose CA?
Most residential camera inspections in San Jose run $180 to $450 in 2026, depending on line length and whether we need to clear the line first. Commercial and long-run inspections can reach $650. That fee covers the camera run, the locator mark, and your video file. If we find a defect and you book the repair with us, we credit the inspection toward the job.
What does a sewer video inspection show in San Jose?
It shows the inside of your pipe from the cleanout to the city main: cracks, tree root intrusion, grease buildup, offset pipe joints, bellied sections, and collapsed sewer line segments. We also see pipe material, so you know whether you have clay pipe, cast iron pipe, or PVC. The locator marks the depth so any defect is pinpointed on the surface.
How often should I get Sewer Camera Inspection in San Jose?
Every two to three years is right for most San Jose homes, and every year if you have mature trees over the line or a history of root infiltration. Older clay pipe in Willow Glen and Rose Garden benefits most. If you are buying a home, get one before you close. If you have had two backups in 12 months, get one now.
Can Sewer Camera Inspection find tree roots in San Jose CA?
Yes. Root intrusion is the most common defect we find in San Jose, especially in clay pipe installed before 1980. The camera shows root hairs entering at joints and larger root masses that have cracked the pipe. We mark the location, then recommend hydro jetting for minor roots or CIPP liner and spot repair for structural damage.
Related Services
Sewer Line Replacement
When the camera shows a line that is too far gone for spot repair, we replace the full run with PVC pipe or HDPE pipe. We pull permits through Santa Clara County and restore the surface when we are done.
View Sewer Line ReplacementTrenchless Sewer Repair
If your camera inspection shows isolated damage under a driveway or mature landscaping, trenchless sewer repair lets us fix it with minimal digging. We use pipe bursting or CIPP liner depending on the defect and pipe material.
View Trenchless Sewer RepairCIPP Pipe Lining
CIPP liner is a resin-saturated tube we invert into your existing pipe and cure in place. It seals cracks, bridges offset pipe joints, and stops root infiltration without excavation. Best for lines that are cracked but still structurally round.
View CIPP Pipe LiningPipe Bursting
Pipe bursting pulls a new HDPE pipe through the old one while breaking the old pipe outward. It is the go-to when the camera shows a collapsed sewer line or heavy root infiltration and you want to keep your concrete and landscaping intact.
View Pipe BurstingHydro Jetting
A hydro jetter blasts grease buildup and root masses out of the line with 4,000 PSI water. We often jet first so the camera can travel, then inspect to confirm the line is clean and see what the roots were hiding.
View Hydro JettingDrain Cleaning
For sink, tub, and floor drains, we use a drain snake or pressure washer to clear the clog. If the same drain backs up twice, we run a camera to check whether the branch line has a defect.
View Drain CleaningGet Your Sewer Line Inspected
Call (669) 232-8571 or send us a message and we will schedule a camera inspection at your property. We answer the phone 24/7 for emergencies and book standard appointments Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Most San Jose inspections get scheduled within 24 hours of your call.
Sewer Line San Jose Pros
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Phone
(669) 232-8571 -
Address
2076 Stone Ave, San Jose, CA 95125
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Hours
Mon–Fri: 7AM – 7PM
Sat: 8AM – 4PM
Sun: Emergency Only
24/7 Emergency Available