Sewer Camera Inspection
Send a camera down the line to check its condition before a repair or home purchase.
Homeowner guide
Clay Soil and Sewer Line Problems in Commerce City, CO
The Colorado Geological Survey notes that expansive clay is common under Front Range communities and can disrupt pipelines and sewer lines. Slow drains, backups and wet spots can be early signs.
By the Mile High Express Plumbing team · published
What expansive clay does
Some clay soils swell when wet and shrink when dry. The Colorado Geological Survey describes expansive soils such as bentonite and montmorillonite as a common feature under Front Range communities. When the ground moves, buried pipes move with it.
The movement is slow but repeated. Joints can pull apart, a section can sag and a pipe can crack. It may take years before you notice a symptom.
Warning signs inside the house
Slow drains in several fixtures, gurgling toilets, a sewer smell and repeated clogs all point to a line problem. A backup in the lowest drain, usually a basement floor drain, is a stronger sign.
Cracks in drywall or a door that sticks can reflect foundation movement. They are not a plumbing problem on their own, but a plumber can check whether the pipes have moved too.
Warning signs outside
Look for a soggy patch in the lawn with no rain, a sunken strip over the line, or a sudden spike in the water bill. A wet area near the meter or the foundation can mean a failed water line.
Trees and shrubs with unusually lush growth over one line can suggest a leak that feeds them. Roots also enter sewer joints that have separated.
What a camera inspection shows
A sewer camera inspection sends a small camera through the line. It shows joints that have separated, sags where water pools, cracks, roots and scale. The plumber can mark the depth and location of problems on the surface.
Ask to see the recording. A clear video helps you decide between a spot repair and a longer replacement.
Clues that a line has shifted
Indoor and outdoor signs suggest different next steps.
| Clue | Where it appears | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Slow drains throughout the house | Indoors | Book a camera inspection |
| Gurgling basement floor drain | Indoors | Stop using water and call |
| A boggy lawn patch in dry weather | Outdoors | Run the meter test |
| A sunken strip along the line | Outdoors | Have the line inspected |
Repair and replacement options
If only one spot is cracked or sagging, a targeted sewer line repair may do. If defects run along the pipe, sewer line replacement may make more sense. Trenchless options reduce digging but suit only some pipes.
Ask what material the new pipe is and how it will be bedded. Good bedding helps the pipe tolerate ground movement.
Water lines and soil movement
Supply lines can also be stressed by shifting ground. A leak on the buried line may show as a wet patch or a pressure drop. A water line repair crew can locate and fix it.
Flexible connections where the line enters the house help absorb small movements.
Reduce the stress on your pipes
Keep the soil moisture around the foundation steady. Extreme wetting and drying cycles make clay move more. Direct downspouts away from the house, and avoid heavy irrigation near the foundation.
Do not pour grease down drains. The district advises that wipes and paper towels go in the trash, not the toilet. Less buildup means fewer clogs on a line that may already have a sag.
When to schedule an inspection
Schedule a camera inspection if you have had a backup, if you are buying an older home or if you see the signs above. A routine inspection costs far less than an emergency dig-up.
If you are planning a remodel or a new addition, ask about the condition of the sewer lateral first.
What to ask before buying an older home
If you are buying, ask for a sewer scope as part of the inspection. A camera run costs little next to a replacement, and the video shows pipe material, joints and any sags. Clay, cast iron and older plastic pipe all age differently.
Ask the seller whether the line has ever backed up, whether it was cleared and whether any work has been done. Keep the video and the report. They help you plan repairs and negotiate if the line is in poor shape.
Foundations, drainage and the lawn
Water that pools next to the foundation soaks the clay and makes it swell. Grade the soil so that it slopes away from the house, extend downspouts well away from the walls and avoid planting thirsty shrubs against the foundation.
Steady moisture is better than swings between soaked and parched soil. A gentle, regular watering schedule near the house helps the ground stay stable, and it is good for the pipes underneath.
What a repair costs you in time
A spot repair may take a day. A trenchless lining or pipe bursting job often takes a day or two, with less digging. A full open-cut replacement can take several days and involves the yard, the driveway or the slab.
Ask the plumber about restoring the surface, the permit, the inspection and how long the sewer will be out of service. Plan to use water elsewhere during the work.
Warning signs when you are not sure
If you are not sure that a symptom is serious, run a simple test. Fill a bathtub, then pull the stopper and watch the other drains. Gurgling or bubbling elsewhere points to a partial blockage down the line.
Keep a short log of symptoms and dates. It helps a plumber see a pattern and saves time on the visit.
Common questions
Clay soil and pipe questions
Soil movement can separate joints, crack pipe or cause sags. The effect builds over years.
Slow drains, repeated clogs and standing water in a camera inspection are the signs.
Policies vary. Many exclude wear and ground movement. Read yours and ask.
No. It depends on pipe condition, depth and the type of damage.
Services that help
Sewer Line Repair
Mend a cracked, root-filled or sagging sewer pipe with a spot fix or a longer section.
Sewer Line Replacement
Install a new sewer lateral from the house to the main when patching is not enough.
Keep reading
Basement sewer backup: what to do
Sewage in a basement drain or floor is a health hazard. Here is how to tell where the blockage is and what to do first.
Sewer smell in the house
A sewer smell usually has a simple source, like a dry trap, but it can signal a cracked line. Here is how to find it.
Toilet won't flush
A toilet that will not flush is usually a clog or a tank problem. Here is how to tell which and what to try first.
Sewer line acting up?
Phone in and describe the symptoms. We will line up a local contractor.