Tree Root Intrusion
Roots squeezing in through joints and cracks, the #1 reason main lines back up again and again.
★ 4.8 Stars · 8,500+ Google Reviews · Calls answered 24/7
Sewer Camera Inspection in Northern California
Earl's Plumbing runs a camera through your drain or sewer line so you can see exactly what's wrong — roots, cracks, or buildup — before you spend a dollar on the wrong repair.
Call or text (530) 343-0330 — a real person answers calls day or night.
Earl's Plumbing provides drain and sewer camera inspections throughout Northern California, from Shasta County to Placer County for homeowners and home buyers, family-owned since 1998.
There is no service call fee, every job starts with a free upfront quote, and the work is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Call or text (530) 343-0330 or schedule online — no obligation.
$0 service call fee
Free quote first
Same-day when available
Home buyer inspections
Financing (OAC)
CSLB #772565
Web-only offer
$25 OFF
Camera Inspection or Any Drain Service
Mention this page when you call or text, or add "$25 web offer" when you book online.
📞 Claim by Phone 📅 Claim OnlineOffer ends this month. One per household.
When You Need a Sewer Camera Inspection
If your drains keep acting up, something's causing it. The camera tells you what — so you fix it once.
The main line has backed up more than once
Several drains slow or gurgling at the same time
A sewer smell that won't go away
You're buying a home, especially an older one
Big trees near your sewer line or cleanout
Someone quoted a big repair and you want to see it first
Sound familiar? Let's take a look before anyone picks up a shovel.
What a Sewer Camera Can Find
A clog tells you the line is blocked. The camera tells you why — and whether it'll come back.
Cracked or Broken Pipe
Separations, breaks, and collapsed sections that cleaning alone won't fix.
Bellies & Sags
Low spots where water and waste sit instead of flowing out.
Offset Joints
Shifted pipe connections that catch paper and debris every time.
Grease & Scale Buildup
Coating that narrows the pipe — a sign hydro jetting may be the right fix.
Foreign Objects
Wipes, toys, and debris stuck where no snake can grab them.
Buying a Home? Get the Sewer Line Scoped Before You Close
Most home inspections don't look inside the sewer line. A broken or root-filled line can be one of the most expensive surprises a new owner gets — and once you close, it's yours.
- Older homes, mature trees, or rural properties
- See the line's condition before you sign
- Real findings you and your agent can use to negotiate
Camera Inspection vs. Drain Cleaning vs. Hydro Jetting
Three tools, three jobs. The camera is how we know which of the other two you actually need.
Sewer Camera Inspection
Shows you what's really in there
Diagnoses the problem — roots, breaks, sags, or buildup — so the fix is the right one the first time.
Drain Cleaning
Pokes a hole through the clog
Gets water flowing again fast. Drain cleaning is often done first so the camera can pass.
Hydro Jetting
Power-washes the whole pipe
Hydro jetting scours grease, sludge, and roots off the pipe walls when the camera shows heavy buildup.
Why Choose Earl's for Your Sewer Inspection
A camera is only as useful as the honest person reading the screen.
You watch with us
We show you the footage and explain what you're looking at in plain English. No "trust me."
No scare tactics
If your line looks fine, we'll say so. If it needs work, we'll show you why and give you options.
We pinpoint the spot
We can locate the problem from the surface, so any repair is smaller and digs less of your yard.
No service call fee
Free quote before any work. You decide, no pressure.
Same-day when available
Calls answered 24/7 by real people. Backups get priority.
100% satisfaction guarantee
Not happy with the job? We come back and make it right at no charge.
What Happens During a Sewer Camera Inspection
You approve the price first. Then you see everything we see.
You call, text, or book
Tell us what's going on, or text the address if it's a home you're buying. Mention the $25 offer.
We find access
A cleanout, roof vent, or pulled toilet. If the line's fully blocked, we'll quote clearing it first.
Camera goes in, you watch
The camera travels the line on a live screen. We point out roots, cracks, sags, and buildup as we go.
Plain-English results & options
We explain what we found and what it means, locate any problem spots, and give you clear options with free quotes.
Sewer Problems We Find Often in Northern California
Mature trees, older pipe, rural properties, and clay soil keep our cameras busy.
Most common
Roots in Older Sewer Lines
The camera shows exactly where roots are getting in, so you can choose between routine cleaning and a permanent repair.
Low disruption
In Through the Cleanout
We use the best existing access point. No digging just to look.
Home buyers
Pre-Purchase Inspections
A sewer line can look fine from the yard and be a mess underground. Know before you close.
See It Before You Pay to Fix It
I'll be straight with you: the most expensive sewer repair is the one you didn't need. Folks call us after someone's told them their whole line has to be dug up, and half the time a camera shows a root ball and a pipe that's otherwise just fine.
The other half? It really is broken. Either way, you deserve to see it with your own eyes before you write a check. That's why our techs turn the screen around and walk you through it. (You'd be amazed what's living in some of these pipes. You'd also be amazed how much a baby wipe can do.)
— Clinton EarlOwner, Earl's Plumbing · Your Friend in the Business
28
Years serving Northern CA
8,500+
Google reviews
$0
Service call fee
24/7
Calls answered
Chico 4.8 ★ · 5,039 reviews
Redding 4.8 ★ · 2,527 reviews
Yuba City 4.8 ★ · 1,002 reviews
Call or Text Your Nearest Earl's Office
Three local offices covering eight Northern California counties. Every line takes calls and texts.
Redding
Redding · Anderson · Cottonwood · Shasta Lake · Palo Cedro · Red Bluff · Corning
(530) 244-3275
Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection Online
Book in about a minute, right here on the page. Mention "$25 web offer" in your notes and we'll apply it.
1Pick your service
2Choose a time that works
3Get a confirmation — done
Rather talk to a person? Call or text (530) 343-0330 — we answer 24/7.
Sewage backing up? Don't wait for the scheduler — call (530) 343-0330 and we'll prioritize you.
Sewer Camera Inspection Questions, Answered
Straight answers for homeowners, home buyers, and property managers.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
Earl's Plumbing gives a free, upfront quote before any camera inspection begins. Price depends on access to the line, its length, and whether it needs to be cleared before the camera can pass, so you approve the price before work starts. There is no service call fee, and online customers get $25 off. Call or text (530) 343-0330.
What can a sewer camera inspection find?
A sewer camera inspection shows tree roots, cracked or broken pipe, offset joints, bellies where water sits, grease and scale buildup, and objects stuck in the line. A small waterproof camera travels through the pipe on a cable, so the technician sees the problem directly instead of guessing, and nothing has to be dug up to look.
When should I get a drain or sewer camera inspection?
A camera inspection makes sense when the main line has backed up more than once, several drains are slow at the same time, toilets gurgle, a sewer smell will not go away, or you are buying a home. It is also the smart step before paying for any major sewer repair, so you know exactly what is being fixed.
Does a sewer camera inspection clear the clog?
A sewer camera inspection does not clear a clog; it is a diagnostic tool that shows what is inside the line. If the pipe is fully blocked, Earl's Plumbing clears it with a drain cleaning first so the camera can travel through. Then you see what caused the clog and whether it is likely to come back.
Should I get a sewer inspection before buying a home?
A sewer camera inspection before closing is one of the smartest checks a home buyer can make, especially for older homes, properties with mature trees, or homes with a history of drain trouble. Standard home inspections usually do not look inside the sewer line. Finding a cracked or root-filled pipe before closing gives you room to negotiate.
Can Earl's Plumbing locate where the sewer problem is?
Earl's Plumbing can usually pinpoint where a sewer problem sits underground by pairing the camera with line locating equipment. The camera head sends a signal the technician tracks from the surface, which shows roughly where and how deep the problem is. That means less digging, a smaller repair area, and clearer repair options.
Does Earl's Plumbing charge a service call fee for sewer camera inspection quotes?
Earl's Plumbing charges no service call fee, ever. I've never liked that practice — you shouldn't have to pay just to find out what something costs. A technician comes out, looks at your situation, explains your options, and gives you a free quote. If you say no, you owe nothing. We've been family-owned in Northern California since 1998.
Can Earl's Plumbing come out today, and can I text instead of calling?
Earl's Plumbing offers same-day service when a technician is available, and calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every office line also takes texts: Chico (530) 343-0330, Redding (530) 244-3275, or Yuba City (530) 674-0330. Text your address and a short description, and the office will get you on the schedule.