A sewer inspection feeds a waterproof camera on a flexible cable through your cleanout and into the lateral. You see the pipe material, the joints, roots, cracks, bellies and blockages in real time. It replaces guesses with pictures, and it is the standard first step before any sewer repair.
Call (805) 249-7135 any hour to schedule one. The line is open 24/7, and same-day appointments are offered when available. If sewage is backing up now, tell the dispatcher so we send a plumber with cable and camera together.
When a camera inspection makes sense
- Before buying a house, especially an older one with mature trees.
- After a backup, to see why it happened.
- When drains clog again within a few months of cleaning.
- When a smell, wet patch or sunken lawn suggests a break.
- Before landscaping or a remodel that will load the line.
- After a sewer repair, to confirm the work.
A backup that is happening now belongs in sewer line cleaning first. The camera follows once flow is restored.
What the camera finds
| Finding | What it means | Likely next step |
|---|---|---|
| Roots at joints | Roots entering through small openings | Cut roots, then consider lining |
| Belly or sag | Low spot that holds water and waste | Monitor or repair depending on depth |
| Cracked or broken pipe | Structural failure | Spot repair or replacement |
| Offset joint | Pipe sections have separated | Repair at the joint |
| Grease buildup | Thick coating on the wall | Jetting and habit changes |
| Clean, intact pipe | Line is in good shape | Nothing needed |
Bellies are more common than most people realize and not always urgent. A shallow belly that drains may never cause trouble, while a deep one needs repair.
Buying or selling a home?
Call to book a camera inspection. Same-day appointments are offered when available.
What you receive after the inspection
You get video of the run, a plain-language summary of what was seen and a recommendation. If the line is clear, you get that in writing too, which helps when you are buying or selling. If there is damage, you see the footage and decide on the next step.
We can also locate the pipe from above ground with a locator when the camera has a transmitter, so you know how deep the line is and where it runs before any digging. Call 811 before any dig on your property.
Cleanouts, laterals and the Lompoc rules
The City of Lompoc states that lateral sewer clogs, cleanouts and maintenance are the property owner's responsibility. A cleanout is the capped pipe that gives access to the lateral, and it is where the camera goes in.
If your house has no cleanout, the camera goes in through a pulled toilet or a roof vent, which takes longer. Installing a cleanout makes every future inspection simpler. The city's wastewater division can help you identify where your lateral meets the main. In Vandenberg Village, sewer service comes from the Vandenberg Village Community Service District.
Buying a home in Lompoc or Santa Maria
A general home inspection rarely includes the sewer lateral. A separate camera inspection can show a root-packed or cracked pipe before you close. If it does, that information gives you leverage to negotiate repairs or credits.
The same advice applies in Santa Maria, Orcutt and Mission Hills. If the camera finds damage, sewer line repair explains the options.
What affects the price of an inspection
You get a clear price before work starts. Call (805) 249-7135 for yours.
Sewer Inspection questions, answered
The 24/7 line is open all hours. Emergency backups are dispatched with a camera and cable, and scheduled inspections can be booked for evenings or weekends.
It is a smart step for older homes, because standard inspections often skip the lateral.
No. It is a flexible cable pushed gently through a sound line.
Yes. You receive the video and a plain-language summary.
Yes, with a locator when the camera carries a transmitter. Call 811 before digging.
A blockage or collapse is stopping it. We clear the line or discuss repair.