When it comes to diagnosing plumbing problems in your home, a video drain inspection can help you save time, money, and effort. The average cost of a video drain inspection is $200.
A video drain inspection is an innovative solution to age-old plumbing problems like cracks, clogs, and troublesome tree roots. As part of this simple inspection, a small, high-resolution camera is used to see inside and inspect the condition of your home’s pipes. They can be useful for anything from finding a damaged pipe to locating the wedding ring you dropped down the drain—all while requiring less work than traditional methods.
A video drain inspection can also make your life easier by saving you time, money, and effort in finding and correcting a pesky plumbing problem—kind of like how Jerry
, the insurance comparison super app
, can save you time and money on your homeowner's insurance. We’ll be taking a closer look at the average costs of a video drain inspection, what you can expect from your inspection, plus when your home insurance policy
covers the costs of repairs—and how you can save money! How much does a video drain inspection cost?
The average cost of a video drain inspection is between $150 and $500, with the national average landing somewhere around the $200 benchmark. If you’re adding a video drain inspection into the larger process of a home inspection in preparation to sell, the price is typically between $100 and $250.
But the maximum cost of a video drain inspection could be as much as $900, so let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that affect the price.
Cleanout access
One factor that may influence the price you pay for a video drain inspection is whether or not your home has a cleanout access point.
Simply put, a cleanout access point is a direct line by which plumbers can access your home’s sewer line. Usually, your cleanout access comes in the form of an aboveground pipe located somewhere in your yard—but if you lack an access point, a plumber will have to make one.
In homes without cleanout access, plumbers typically enter the sewer line by removing a toilet (don’t worry, they put it back when they’re done!). Because the removal of the toilet creates an added burden and requires extra labor, you’re likely to pay a higher overall price for your inspection.
Below, we’ve included a brief chart of the average price range for a video drain inspection in a home with cleanout access vs. without cleanout access:
Homes vs. buildings
Nine hundred dollars may feel like a steep price for a simple inspection—but luckily, in most residential homes you’re unlikely to face a price that’s higher than $500 for the average video drain inspection.
However, in larger buildings with greater infrastructure and a more involved sewer system—such as an office or corporate building—you could face a higher average cost.
Do I need a video drain inspection cost?
Video drain inspections aren’t mandatory by any means—but they can be a helpful tool for identifying specific problems with your home’s sewer system. If you’re looking to list your house for sale but have noticed some troubling symptoms of sewer issues over the years, it may be worthwhile to have a video drain inspection done as part of the home inspection.
Signs you might need a video drain inspection include:
Frequent back-ups in toilets or pipes
Inconsistent water pressure from faucets or showerheads
Shallow or incomplete toilet water flush/refill
Unpleasant odors around the home, specifically in bathrooms or from drains
Leaks under the foundation
Depressions or “wet spots” in your yard above your main sewer line
Any and all of these symptoms could indicate a problem with your home’s sewer system—and a video drain inspection could help save you time, effort, and money in correcting the problem.
What’s included in a video drain inspection?
The basic premise of a video drain inspection is to pinpoint the exact issue in your home’s plumbing and pipes with the help of an HD camera. This camera—which is equipped with a light and fitted to a special tool—is snaked down the piping in search of the clog, crack, leak, or imperfection that is preventing the proper function of your home’s sewer system.
During the drain inspection, the camera will provide live footage as it is extended down the pipe that allows plumbers to clearly locate and identify the issue.
How, exactly, does this differ from non-camera inspections? For one, it means you won’t have to do any guesswork when it comes to correcting the issue. The use of a camera means plumbers can clearly see the issue and diagnose the problem without going through a process of trial and error.
Not only will repairs be easier to make, but you’re also likely to save money since you won’t get caught up in paying for repairs that don’t address the actual problem.
For another, it requires less labor (which also means you save money). No longer do plumbing professionals need to dig trenches in your yard and cut holes in your sewer line to access and identify the problem. They simply snake the camera down the drain, locate the problem, and prescribe the fix!
All in all, a video drain inspection will typically take 60 minutes or less to complete.
What’s not included in a video drain inspection?
The cost of a video drain inspection does not include the cost of repairs to your home’s plumbing—it simply makes repairs easier to spot. Other costs typically not covered in the price of a video drain inspection include:
Sewer line cleaning costs
What causes damage to home sewer systems?
There are a number of things that could cause damage to your home’s sewer system. Aside from the normal wear and tear that comes from old age and use, problems can arise from clogs or tree roots in the ground that interfere with your main sewer line.
A broken, cracked, or damaged pipe could also create issues for your home’s plumbing.
Do home inspections include a video drain inspection?
Generally speaking: no, most home inspections do not include a video drain inspection.
Home inspections are intended to provide a general overview of your home’s major systems and aesthetics—and while this includes a basic look at the plumbing fixtures in your home, it’s far from comprehensive.
The good news is, adding a video drain to your home inspection can usually be done for an extra price of just $100 to $250.
Hiring a video drain inspector
You’ll have to hire a plumber to perform a video drain inspection—but just because you can’t DIY the fix, doesn’t mean you don’t have options. Before you hire a plumber to do your video drain inspection, remember to:
Shop around. Getting detailed estimates from multiple plumbers or companies on the price of a video drain inspection can help you choose the best option for you (and save money). Some companies even perform video drain inspections for free as part of other services!
Choose a licensed plumber. It’s best to go for someone with prior video drain experience—you can check a company’s website, look up reviews, or call directly to obtain more information from a specific company.
Check company reviews. Speaking of reviews—checking them is a great idea! Reading reviews from past customers can give you a feel for what it’s like working with a specific company, and the type of service you can expect.
Ask thorough questions. If a plumber or plumbing company can’t give you direct answers over the phone, it’s unlikely they’ll deliver the service you want in your home.
Get a contract and warranty in writing. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, make sure to have a contract drawn up and a thorough understanding of the company’s warranty process before any actual work begins!
How to find the best homeowners insurance
Unless your plumbing issue is the result of a named peril listed on your policy, it’s unlikely your homeowner’s insurance will cover the costs of repairs. But if you’re facing a hefty home repair bill, it may just be the perfect time to re-evaluate your homeowners insurance
policy—and find a cheaper rate. Luckily, Jerry
can help. A licensed insurance broker, Jerry will generate competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute—and you can use it right from your phone. After answering a few questions in the easy-to-use app, Jerry will send you customized rates based on your demographics, home value, and location. As part of the process, Jerry gathers your information from your past insurer, so you’re not responsible for any long forms or phone calls. Basically, it’s all of the savings without any of the work!
“Jerry
had a super simple app that was easy to navigate. And their terrific customer service made everything even easier. Plus I saved $700 in a single year.” —Lucia M."
4.7
