A look inside the pipe beats a guess
A drain cable tells you something is in the way. It cannot tell you whether that something is a wad of roots, a cracked joint or a pipe that has sagged. A small waterproof camera on a flexible rod can. If the pipe only needs clearing, our drain cleaning crews handle that too.
We feed it in through a cleanout, a pulled toilet or another access point and watch the picture live. You can watch with us. The goal is a plain answer to one question: is this pipe clean and sound, or does it need work?
Good reasons to put a camera in the line
Repeat clogs
When a line keeps backing up after cleaning, the cause is usually a defect the cable never showed.
A cable that stalled
If an earlier plumber hit something at a certain distance, the camera shows what it was.
Buying or selling a home
A video of the lateral shows condition before you commit, and it gives sellers something to work from.
Wet spots or sunken ground in the yard
A break can leak sewage into the soil. The camera helps tell a pipe problem from a drainage problem.
Before a big plumbing project
Checking the line first keeps surprises out of a remodel or a repair estimate.
How the inspection runs
- 1
Pick the access point
A cleanout is best. If there is none, we may work through a toilet, which takes more time.
- 2
Clear loose debris if needed
A camera cannot see through grease or standing waste, so we sometimes run a quick cleaning pass first.
- 3
Record the run
We guide the camera along the pipe, pausing at joints, bends and anything unusual, and note about how far in each finding sits.
- 4
Review it with you
We show you the footage, explain what each image means and what options exist, from doing nothing to a repair.
Want a clear answer before you spend on a repair?
Call (440) 468-0237 and describe what the line has been doing. We will tell you whether a camera visit makes sense and book a time, same day when we can.
What the camera can show you
| Finding on video | What it usually means | Typical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Fine hair-like roots at a joint | Roots are entering through a seam | Hydro jetting or a spot repair |
| Standing water in a low stretch | A sag or belly holds waste | Monitor, clean regularly or repair |
| Crack or broken section | The pipe has failed there | Sewer line repair |
| Heavy grease or scale on the wall | Buildup is narrowing the pipe | Cleaning, then habit changes |
| A clean pipe with no defects | The clog was local or temporary | Nothing more to do |
A camera shows what is inside the pipe it can reach. It does not predict future failures, and tight bends or a collapsed section can stop it from going farther.
Why age matters for Solon laterals
Census survey data from 2016 put the median home in Solon at 1981 vintage, and nearly half of the homes were built before 1980. A lateral that is decades old has had decades to collect roots, shift or crack.
That is not a measure of any one house, and your own line may be fine. The city says the property owner is responsible for the lateral from the house to the cleanout, so a video of that stretch is worth having before you decide on work.
What happens after the video
Not every finding calls for a repair. A line with light root fibers might only need cleaning every so often, while a broken section needs a real fix. We give you both options and what each means for your wallet and your house.
If a dig is needed, Ohio811 says anyone digging must notify it at least two working days before digging, and a contractor submits that notice for you if you hire one. The call is free. Ask us to confirm when that fits into the schedule so utilities are marked before the ground is opened.
A camera versus a cable
Cable only
- Clears a blockage
- Does not show the cause
- Quick and low cost
- Clog may return
Camera inspection
- Shows the pipe's condition
- Finds roots, cracks and sags
- Records evidence you can keep
- Helps decide cleaning versus repair
What affects the price of an inspection
We quote the price before the camera goes in.
Homeowners insurance usually covers sudden, accidental water damage but not wear, neglect or the failed part itself. An inspection that finds old cracks does not usually change that, so check your policy before you count on coverage.
Camera inspection questions from Solon owners
Many inspections fit inside a short visit when access is easy. A long run, a hidden cleanout or a heavily dirty pipe takes longer, and we tell you what to expect when you call.
It shows how far into the pipe a defect sits. With a locator, a technician can often mark that spot on the surface, but the depth and accuracy depend on the pipe and the soil.
It is a smart extra step on an older home. A video of the lateral shows condition that a standard home inspection may not reach, and it gives you real information for the negotiation.
A camera on a flexible rod is gentle on sound pipe. In a badly collapsed or brittle line it can get stuck, so we tell you if the pipe looks too risky to enter.
Ask us when you book. We can walk you through the footage on site, and we will tell you what we can provide afterward.
In Solon, the city says the property owner is responsible for the lateral from the house to the cleanout. A defect in the city main in the street is the city's, and we tell you which side of the line the video shows.
Sources and standards behind this page
Local facts and rules on this page come from these public sources. Check the current version before relying on a permit or code detail.