Sewer Inspection in New Jersey

FAQs About New Jersey Sewer Inspection

How important is a sewer inspection?

It’s the single most informative thing you can do for a sewer line, because it replaces guesswork with visual evidence. Every meaningful decision about a sewer — whether to clean, line, repair, or replace — depends on the pipe’s actual condition, and a camera inspection is the only way to see it without digging. It’s also inexpensive insurance: catching a deteriorating joint or early root intrusion during an inspection costs a fraction of dealing with the same problem after it becomes a collapse or a backup into the home.

What do they do during a sewer inspection?

A technician feeds a high-resolution waterproof camera into the sewer line through an existing cleanout or access point, then guides it through the full run while watching a live video feed. As the camera travels, the technician evaluates the pipe’s material and condition, notes any defects, and uses a locator to mark the position and depth of problem spots from above ground. You can typically watch the feed in real time, and the findings are reviewed with you afterward — including the footage behind any recommendation.

What do sewer inspectors look for?

Inspectors evaluate the pipe’s structural condition — cracks, offset or separated joints, corrosion, and deformation — along with bellies where the line has sagged and collects waste, root intrusion at the joints, and obstructions or buildup on the pipe walls. They also identify the pipe material itself, which matters in New Jersey because clay, cast iron, and Orangeburg lines each fail in characteristic ways. Together, this determines whether the line simply needs cleaning or has damage that calls for repair.

What are the common problems found during a sewer line inspection?

The most frequent findings are root intrusion at pipe joints, grease and scale buildup narrowing the channel, and bellies — sagging sections where waste and water pool. On older New Jersey lines, inspections also regularly reveal cracked or shifted clay tile, heavily corroded cast iron, and deformed Orangeburg pipe. Many inspections find some combination of these, which is exactly why the camera matters: each problem has a different right fix, from simple jetting to targeted repair or replacement.

How long does a sewer inspection take?

Most sewer scope inspections are completed within 30 to 90 minutes. Where a job lands in that range depends on the length of the line, how accessible the cleanout is, and what the camera finds — a clean run goes quickly, while documenting multiple defects or locating problem spots from above ground adds time. Even with a detailed review of the footage afterward, most homeowners should plan on the visit taking about an hour or two in total.

How do I prepare for a sewer line inspection?

Very little preparation is needed. The most helpful step is clearing access to your sewer cleanout — often in the basement, a utility area, or the yard — and to any drains the technician may need to reach; if you don’t know where your cleanout is, that’s fine, as the technician can locate it. Beyond that, jot down what prompted the inspection (recurring backups, slow drains, odors) and roughly when symptoms started, since that history helps direct the camera work. There’s no need to shut off water or avoid using your plumbing beforehand.

How often should you have your sewer line checked?

For newer PVC lines with no history of trouble, an inspection every three to five years is a reasonable maintenance rhythm. Older clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg lines — common throughout New Jersey — deserve a closer watch, every one to two years, since these materials deteriorate progressively and root intrusion recurs. Beyond the calendar, three moments always justify an inspection: before buying a home, after any sewage backup, and before any project that would pave or build over the line.

Is a sewer scope recommended during real estate transactions?

While not required, a sewer scope has become a routine part of due diligence on older New Jersey homes, and for good reason: the sewer lateral is one of the most expensive single components a buyer can inherit, and a standard home inspection never looks inside it. For buyers, the inspection turns an unknown into a documented condition — and negotiating leverage if problems are found. For sellers, scoping before listing avoids a surprise finding at the worst possible moment in the transaction.

Is a sewer scope inspection necessary before hydro jetting?

In many cases, yes. An inspection first confirms whether the blockage is buildup alone or whether structural damage is present — and that distinction matters, because high-pressure jetting directed at a cracked, deformed, or badly deteriorated pipe can make the damage worse. The camera also shows what the line is made of, which guides the appropriate pressure and technique. Jetting blind risks paying to clean a pipe that actually needed repair; scoping first ensures the right service gets performed.

Will the inspection damage landscaping?

No. Sewer scope inspections are completely non-invasive — the camera enters the line through existing cleanouts or access points, so nothing is dug up and no landscaping, driveway, or flooring is disturbed. That’s precisely the point of the technology: it shows the condition of the entire buried line without excavating any of it. If the inspection later leads to a repair, the camera and locator will have already marked the exact spot, keeping any necessary digging as small and targeted as possible.

What happens if major structural damage is found?

If defects are identified, the footage is reviewed with you so you can see exactly what the camera saw and where it sits on your property. From there, the options are explained — trenchless pipe lining, trenchless pipe replacement, or a localized repair — along with why one approach fits your line’s condition better than the others. Nothing is recommended sight unseen: the video evidence behind the recommendation is yours to review, which also makes it useful documentation for insurance or a real estate negotiation.

Can the inspection prevent full pipe replacement?

Often, yes. The camera frequently reveals that a problem assumed to be catastrophic is actually localized or serviceable — buildup that hydro jetting can clear, or damage confined to a section that trenchless lining or a spot repair can correct at a fraction of replacement cost. Just as importantly, inspection prevents the opposite mistake: repeatedly paying to clean a line that has genuinely failed. Either way, you’re deciding based on the pipe’s actual condition rather than assumptions.

How much does it cost to run a camera through a sewer line?

Right now, nothing — Arrow Sewer & Drain is currently offering a free sewer camera inspection, with a licensed technician walking you through exactly what the camera finds. The free inspection requires an accessible sewer cleanout, and you’ll need to mention the offer when scheduling, either by phone or through our estimate request form. A few limits apply: the offer can’t be combined with other coupons and isn’t redeemable for real estate transactions, which are quoted separately, and if you’d like a copy of the inspection video for your records, one can be provided for a set fee.