(And Why I Use Them Every Week on the Job)

You’ve probably heard the term before:

“Let’s take a look with a sewer camera.”

But what does that actually mean?

Do we send a little robot down your pipes?
Is it like a video game?
Do we see rats?

I’ve been using sewer inspection cameras for years here in Sacramento, and I can tell you:
It’s one of the most important tools in plumbing today — and most people don’t realize just how much it can do.

Let me walk you through what a sewer camera is, how it works, and why it can save you hundreds (sometimes thousands) in guessing and digging.

So What Is a Sewer Camera?

Imagine a small, waterproof video camera attached to the end of a long, flexible cable — usually 100 feet or more.

That cable feeds into your drain or sewer line.
The camera sends a live video feed to a monitor above ground — so I can literally see inside your pipes in real time.

It has built-in LED lights, sometimes a self-leveling lens, and often a locator beacon so I can pinpoint exactly where it is underground.

What Can It Show?

A lot more than you’d think:

• Cracks or collapsed pipe walls
• Tree roots growing into the line
• Grease buildup or foreign objects
• Offsets — where pipes have shifted out of place
• Bellies — sagging sections where water collects
• Corrosion or scaling

And the best part?

You can watch it with me.
I explain what we’re seeing in real time, and I’ll even record the footage if you want to keep it.

What It Can’t Do

It’s not magic.

Sewer cameras can’t:

• See through solid blockages (only up to the point of obstruction)
• Show leaks unless there’s visible damage
• Go around sharp turns or through multiple vertical stacks (it has its limits)

But for the main sewer line? It’s incredibly effective.

Why I Use It All the Time

In the old days, if a sewer line had issues, we’d dig it up or snake it blind.
Now? I start almost every diagnostic with a camera.

Here’s why:

• No guesswork
• No unnecessary digging
• Shows the real cause — not just symptoms
• Helps justify repairs (you can see the issue yourself)
• Confirms if the fix actually worked

A Real Example

We had a homeowner with constant backups in their laundry line.
Another company wanted to tear up the yard and replace 20 feet of pipe.

I ran a camera — found that the issue was a massive root ball right near the cleanout, not under the yard.

One root cut and hydro-jet later? Fixed.
No trench. No replacement. No $4,000 bill.

What I Tell Customers

“A sewer camera doesn’t just help me fix the problem.
It proves what’s wrong — so you’re not guessing, and I’m not guessing.”

Whether you’ve got backups, slow drains, or you’re buying a house — camera inspection should be step one.

What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing

We use high-resolution, professional-grade sewer cameras — the same kind used on commercial jobs.

Every inspection includes:

• Real-time video feed (you can watch)
• Depth and location detection
• Honest assessment of what we see
• Clear advice — no upsell, just facts

Think something’s going on underground? Call Golden Valley Plumbing — we’ll show you what’s really happening, live.

Final Word

Sewer cameras changed plumbing.

No more digging just to “check.”
No more replacing pipe that wasn’t even the problem.

If your drains are slow, backing up, or making weird gurgling noises — don’t guess.
Let’s look inside and know for sure.