Camera Sewer Inspections: Spotting Root Intrusion Before It Floods Your Home

Shore‑area trees love leaking sewer pipes. Tiny roots slip through hairline cracks, swell with water, and trap wipes and grease until wastewater has nowhere to go but up—and into your basement. A 30‑minute camera scan from Budd’s reveals the problem long before you’re ankle‑deep in sewage.

Coastal Homes = Higher Risk

• Older piping: Many Cape May cottages still rely on 1950s clay or cast‑iron lines—easy targets for roots.
  
• High water table: Consistently damp soil encourages aggressive root growth toward even the smallest leak.
  
• Seasonal vacancies: Vacant rentals hide slow‑building clogs until a holiday crowd overloads the system.
  
  

Five Warning Signs You Need a Camera Scan

1. Toilets gurgle when the washer drains.
   
2. Multiple fixtures run slow, not just one sink.
   
3. Damp, musty odor in the basement after rain.
   
4. Bright‑green grass patches above the sewer path.
   
5. You’ve cleared roots before, and it’s been over 24 months.
   

Check any of these boxes? Time to schedule an inspection.

What Happens During a Budd’s Camera Inspection

1. Easy Access – We open your exterior clean‑out or create a small, temporary access point. No digging floors.
   
2. HD Video Feed – A self‑leveling, waterproof camera travels up to 100 ft, sending real‑time footage to a tablet you can watch with our tech.
   
3. Exact Location & Depth – A transmitter pinpoints where roots or cracks sit, so any repair is precise, not guesswork.
   
4. Instant Report – Before we leave, you will receive the video clip and a written summary with recommended next steps.
   

After‑Scan Solutions

• Hydro‑Jetting – High‑pressure water scours roots, grease, and sludge from line walls.
  
• Mechanical Root Cutting – A rotating blade clears stubborn roots the jet can’t push though.
  
• Bio‑Enzyme Maintenance – Monthly treatments keep regrowth in check—safe for septic tanks and city sewers.
  
• Spot Excavation & Pipe Replacement – If the camera shows a collapsed section, we expose only that area and replace it with modern PVC.
  

Ongoing Prevention Tips

• Book a camera scan every one to two years if large trees sit near your sewer path.
  
• Flush enzyme root inhibitor twice a year—spring and fall.
  
• Say “no” to so‑called flushable wipes; they tangle on even tiny root hairs.
  
• Plant new trees at least 20 feet from the sewer lateral.
  

Budd’s Plumbing Membership sends automatic reminders for routine scans and discounts jetting if roots return.

The Cost‑vs‑Chaos Reality

• Camera inspection: Affordable flat‑rate—ask Budd’s for current pricing.
  
• Emergency backup cleanup: $2,500 – $5,000+ plus possible rental refunds.
  
• Savings: Early root removal typically costs a fraction of a flooded‑basement restoration.
  
  

Why Budd’s Is the Shore’s Go‑To for Sewer Cameras

• HD self‑leveling cameras for crystal‑clear video.
  
• Same‑day digital report—ideal for absentee owners.
  
• Road‑ready hydro‑jetters sized for beach‑area pipes.
  
• 24/7 emergency service during peak vacation season.
  
  

Protect your home—before roots take it over. Call 609‑465‑3759 or book a Camera Sewer Inspection at buddsplumbing.com today.