See exactly what's inside your pipes — before you close on a home, before a backup gets worse, or before any repair work begins. Same-day availability throughout Pierce County.
A sewer camera inspection (also called a sewer scope) uses a waterproof video camera fed through your drain or sewer line. The camera transmits live footage to a monitor so you can see exactly what's inside your pipes — no guessing, no digging.
It's the only way to know for certain whether a sewer problem is a simple clog, root intrusion, a cracked pipe, or something that needs immediate repair. In Tacoma and Pierce County, where much of the housing stock dates to the 1940s–1980s, aging clay tile and Orangeburg sewer lines make this inspection especially valuable. D Street Drains is a locally owned Pierce County company — not a franchise — which means you get a straight answer on what we find, not a scripted upsell.
A camera inspection gives you clear answers before making a costly decision — or before a small problem becomes a major backup.
The most common reason. Your real estate agent may not mention it, but a sewer scope is standard due diligence — particularly for homes built before 1985 in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and University Place. See our dedicated home buyer sewer scope page →
Mature trees — especially Big Leaf Maple and willow — follow moisture into hairline cracks in older clay pipe. A camera shows exactly how far roots have penetrated and whether jetting or repair is needed.
If drains keep backing up after cleaning, a camera inspection identifies why — grease buildup, a belly in the line, partial collapse, or root mass that a snake can't fully clear.
Sewer odor in your home can indicate a cracked pipe, failed joint, or venting problem. A camera locates the source so you know exactly what needs to be fixed.
Orangeburg pipe (a compressed tar-paper material used 1940s–1970s) and clay tile both degrade over time. If your home was built in this era and you've never scoped the line, now is the time.
Planning a remodel, adding a bathroom, or putting in a new appliance? A camera inspection confirms your existing sewer line can handle the additional load before you build.
A sewer camera can identify problems that no surface inspection can detect. Common findings in Tacoma-area sewer lines include:
Some findings mean the line just needs a good cleaning. Others indicate repair or replacement is needed. Either way, you know exactly what you're dealing with — and you have documentation.
Most homeowners have never watched a sewer scope before — here's exactly what to expect from start to finish.
We locate your sewer cleanout — typically at ground level near the foundation, inside the basement, or in the crawlspace. Most Tacoma-area homes built before 1980 have a cleanout somewhere; if yours doesn't have an accessible one, we can often insert the camera through a toilet or floor drain instead.
A flexible, waterproof camera head is threaded through the cleanout and advanced along your sewer line toward the city main. Live footage transmits to a monitor in real time — no digging, no guessing, no tearing up your yard.
We narrate what the camera shows as it moves through the pipe — pointing out root intrusion, pipe belly, cracks, joint separation, or deteriorating Orangeburg sections. You see exactly what we see. If something warrants a closer look, we stop and explain it on the spot.
We summarize findings verbally on-site and can provide a camera recording on request. If a problem is found, we'll tell you whether it calls for hydro jetting, a repair estimate, or a watch-and-wait approach. No upselling — just a straight answer about your pipe.
D Street Drains charges a flat rate of $299 + tax for a standard residential sewer camera inspection throughout Pierce County. No dispatch fee. No extra charge for same-day scheduling.
Nationally, sewer scope inspections run $125 to $500 depending on the provider and market. In the Tacoma and Pierce County area, most professional drain companies price residential scopes between $250 and $450. Our flat rate sits at the transparent end of that range — and includes a verbal findings summary on-site.
Additional sewer lines on the same property are quoted separately. Commercial inspections — including properties in Des Moines, Federal Way, and the King County service area — are priced individually based on pipe length and access requirements. Call (206) 948-0851 for a same-day quote.
Same-day availability throughout Pierce County. Call now or schedule online — we'll confirm your appointment fast.
Yes — especially for homes built before 1985. Standard home inspections don't cover the sewer line. A scope before closing is the only way to know the condition of the pipe you're inheriting. Sewer replacement in Pierce County can run $8,000–$20,000 — a sewer inspection starting at $299 is cheap insurance. D Street Drains offers same-day sewer scopes throughout Pierce County.
Most residential inspections take 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. We walk you through findings on-site and can speak with your real estate agent or contractor by phone if needed.
Tree root intrusion, cracked or broken pipe, pipe belly (sags), joint separation, Orangeburg or clay tile deterioration, grease and scale buildup, and full or partial blockages. Some findings mean cleaning is enough — others mean repair is needed. Either way, you'll know.
Yes. We can provide footage of the camera inspection. This is useful for real estate negotiations, insurance claims, and getting contractor quotes. Ask about recording when you schedule.
D Street charges $299 + tax for a standard residential sewer scope in Pierce County — flat rate, no dispatch fee. Same-day scheduling is included at no extra charge. Additional sewer lines on the same property are quoted separately. Camera recording is available on request.
D Street Drains serves Tacoma, Lakewood, University Place, Fircrest, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, Des Moines, and surrounding Pierce and King County communities. Call (206) 948-0851 to confirm availability in your area.
Found something in the camera? D Street Drains can often address it same-day.
High-pressure water scours pipe walls clean. The best follow-up to a scope that reveals root intrusion, grease, or scale.
Active backup that can't wait? We answer calls 7 days a week — holidays included.
Buying a home? See our dedicated guide to pre-purchase sewer scopes in Tacoma and Pierce County — $299 flat rate, same-day.
Same-day availability · Pierce & King County · Locally owned & operated
Call (206) 948-0851