Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Video Camera Sewer Inspections in Northbrook, IL
Buying a 1960s ranch, chasing a slow drain or planning a basement remodel? A camera inspection shows you exactly what's inside the sewer line before you spend money on it. You watch live, and we mark every problem by distance. From our headquarters on Techny Road.
Common Reasons to Get a Sewer Camera Inspection
In Northbrook, most camera inspections we do aren't emergencies. Here's when homeowners book one:
Buying a Home in Northbrook
A general home inspection doesn't look inside the sewer line. A camera does. On a postwar home with clay pipe, it's the cheapest insurance you can buy before closing.
Before You Finish the Basement
A new basement bathroom or bar sink ties into lines that may be 50 or 60 years old. We check them before the drywall goes up.
Drains That Clog or Back Up More Than Once
Recurring backups, sewage odors, or unexplained water damage and mold are all signs it's worth having your line inspected. The camera shows what's going on instead of guessing.
Retrieving Valuables
Dropping a ring down the drain doesn't mean it's lost forever. Our camera can help you locate jewelry and other valuables inside the line.
What the Camera Finds in Northbrook Sewer Lines
Northbrook's housing splits into two eras, and the camera tells them apart quickly. About a third of homes date from 1940 to 1969, and another third from the 1970s and 1980s.
Root Intrusion in Postwar Clay
Clay lines from the 1950s and 1960s show roots at the joints more than anything else. Fine hair roots are an early warning. A solid mat is a backup waiting to happen.
Settling and Sags in Newer Lines
In homes from the 1970s and 1980s, we often find sections that settled after the soil was backfilled. Water sits in those low spots, called bellies, and solids collect there.
Storm Damage You Can't See
Heavy rain tests a sewer line hard. After big storms like the one in June 2013, cracked pipe and separated joints let groundwater in. The camera shows where.
Where Your Line Meets the Main
We follow the line all the way to the street connection, so you know the condition of every foot before you decide anything.
No Digging Required773-724-9272
How a Sewer Camera Inspection Works
No digging required. Here's exactly how we get eyes on your sewer line and what you walk away with.
1. Where We Start
We locate your main drain cleanout, whether it's inside or outside your home. That's where the camera goes in: no digging, no cutting into walls or floors.
2. What We Use
We send in a waterproof camera with strong LED lighting, built to travel through the pipe and send back a clear, real-time picture of what's inside.
3. What You See and Get
We watch the footage live with you and mark the exact location of anything we find: root intrusion, cracks, corrosion, blockages, pipe separation, or offset joints. We save the footage and give you a copy for your records.
Customer Stories
Sewer Camera Inspection Reviews
4.7 stars from 761 Google reviews for our Northbrook office.
★★★★★
"We had Scott and Payton come by and give us a camera review of our sewer and discuss the different remedies for making sure we didn't have any backups in the future. They were very thorough and knowledgeable and super nice guys."
★★★★★
"We had a good experience with Mike. He inspected our sewer line and showed us the camera footage and clearly explained the sewer relining repair we needed. Mike was knowledgeable and helpful. All in all a good experience."
★★★★★
"Julian and Christian were out at my house today very nice and respectful boys they flushed out my water heater and inspected my sewer with a very fancy camera very helpful boys and they let me tell them some of my jokes"
Got Questions?
Camera Inspection Questions From Northbrook Homeowners
Yes, especially for a home built before 1970. A standard home inspection doesn't cover the inside of the sewer line.
Yes, especially for a home built before 1970. A standard home inspection doesn't look inside the sewer line, and about a third of Northbrook homes were built between 1940 and 1969, often on clay pipe. A camera inspection shows the real condition before you close, when it's still part of the conversation.
Only if something's off, like slow drains, gurgling or a backup. Newer lines mostly fail from settling.
Only if something's off. Lines from the 1970s and 1980s hold up better against roots, but they can sag where the soil settled or crack at a fitting. If you notice slow drains, gurgling or a backup, a camera look tells you why.
Cost depends on the length of your line, access points, and what we find along the way.
The cost depends on factors like the length of your line, how many access points we need to check, and what we find along the way. Give us a call and we'll walk you through it.
No. We access your line through an existing cleanout, so no digging or cutting is required.
No. We access your line through an existing cleanout, so there's no digging or cutting into walls or floors. If a cleanout is hard to reach, we'll tell you rather than force our way in.
We show you the footage, explain your options and give you a flat price. You decide what's next.
We show you the footage, mark the exact location and explain your options in plain language. That could be sewer rodding, hydro jetting or a sewer repair. You get a flat price before any work, and nothing happens until you decide.
Annual Protection Plan
Join the No Drip Club for Year-Round Sewer Protection
Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.
- Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
- 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
- 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
- VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
What We Fix
Plumbing Services in Northbrook
Learn More
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Drain Cleaning
Slow or clogged kitchen, bathroom and basement drains, cleared and checked.
Faucets & Fixtures
Leaky faucets, worn-out shut-off valves and new kitchen and bathroom fixture installs.
Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups for heavy rain and spring snowmelt.
Gas Lines & Fireplaces
Gas line repair, leak detection and gas fireplace service.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Local Office, 24/7 Phone
Want to See What's in Your Sewer Line?
Our Northbrook office is at 1945 Techny Road, #11, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Glenview, Northfield, Deerfield, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Lincolnshire, Winnetka and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Northbrook Office
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