Sewer Camera Inspection in Cheltenham, PA
24/7 Emergency Line OpenA sewer camera inspection sends a waterproof camera head on a flexible rod through your lateral, so you can see cracks, roots, bellies and blockages instead of guessing. We schedule sewer camera inspections in Cheltenham, PA by phone, and same-day appointments are offered when available. It is the cheapest way to avoid paying for the wrong repair.
What the camera shows that cabling cannot
A cable machine tells you something is stuck. A camera tells you what. The head carries lights and a self-leveling lens, and a locator transmitter in the head lets us trace the pipe's route and depth from above ground.
- Cracks and offset joints: clay and cast iron show them clearly.
- Root intrusion: from fine hair to a solid mass at a joint.
- Bellies: low spots where water pools, visible as standing water in the video.
- Scale and grease: buildup that narrows the pipe.
- Material and diameter: helps match repair options to the pipe.
You see the video as it plays or afterward, and we keep a copy. That record is useful for an insurer, a landlord or the utility.
Who should schedule an inspection
| Situation | Why inspect |
|---|---|
| Buying an older house | Hidden lateral damage is expensive and not covered by a standard home inspection |
| Repeated backups | Cleaning treats the symptom, the camera finds the cause |
| Township lateral notice | The video documents whether the lateral is actually defective |
| Planning a basement or yard project | Know where the line runs and how deep before digging |
| Roots or soggy ground over the line | Confirms whether the pipe is leaking |
A standard home inspection does not usually include the underground sewer line. If you are buying in an older part of Cheltenham, Elkins Park or Wyncote, ask for a camera run before closing.
Want to see what is in the line?
Call to schedule a camera inspection. Same-day appointments when available.
How an inspection works step by step
- We locate the cleanout, or pull a toilet if none exists.
- The camera head goes in and travels toward the street while recording.
- We note the pipe material, length, depth and every defect with its distance from the entry point.
- The locator marks the surface above any problem so you can see where it sits.
- We review the video with you and explain what is urgent, what can wait and what needs no work.
If the line is badly clogged, we clear it first through sewer line cleaning, because the camera cannot see through a blockage.
What the video can lead to
Many inspections end with no repair. The pipe is clear, round and sound, and you have documentation to prove it. That is a good result.
When defects appear, the options are a spot fix, lining or replacement, and our sewer line repair page explains each. If the video shows only root hairs or grease on sound walls, hydro jetting is the next step.
Township and utility context
Cheltenham Township Code Chapter 238 section 238-14.2 lets the township inspect private laterals, including by video, with at least 15 days written notice mailed to the owner. The owner can choose to pay for their own compliant recording and deliver it within 60 days. A video from a private inspection may serve that purpose, but the Township Engineer decides whether it complies, so ask the township first.
Aqua Pennsylvania now operates the township's sewer system. If our camera shows a blockage or break in the public main past your property line, we record it so you can report it. For the Abington side of Elkins Park or Glenside, or for Jenkintown, a different municipality's rules apply, so call the relevant office.
What affects the cost of a sewer camera inspection
- AccessA cleanout makes the run quick. Pulling a toilet adds time.
- Line lengthA longer lateral takes longer to travel and record.
- Pre-cleaningA blocked line must be cleared before the camera can pass.
- LocatingSurface locating over a defect adds time but pays off before digging.
- ReportA written summary with timestamps takes time to prepare.
Inspection is a diagnostic cost, and most insurance does not cover it unless it is part of a claim. We give a clear price before work starts. Want your real number? Call (215) 714-6692.
Frequently asked questions
Most take under an hour once the camera is in, longer for long or blocked lines. We will tell you what to expect when you call.
Yes. We keep a copy and give you one. It is useful for insurers, buyers, landlords and the township.
It finds what is visible inside the pipe. It cannot see through a full blockage or beyond a collapse. If the pipe is blocked, we clear it first.
Possibly. Cheltenham's code lets owners provide their own compliant recording, but the Township Engineer decides whether it complies. Call the township at 215-887-1000 before you rely on it.
Yes. Call to schedule before closing. Ask the seller for cleanout access ahead of time.
Yes. A camera looks inside drain and sewer pipes. A leak detection visit tests pressurized water lines. We can do either, and sometimes both.
Schedule a sewer inspection in Cheltenham
Call (215) 714-6692 and ask for a camera run on your lateral.