Licensed & Insured · CA LIC #982663
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Pacifica, San Francisco, Burlingame, CA · Serving the Bay
PACIFICA, CA • LIC #982663 • 24/7
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A camera inspection in San Francisco, CA shows you the inside of your sewer lateral before a small problem becomes a backup. Works Plumbing feeds a waterproof camera through the line, records what it sees, and marks the location of every defect on the surface.
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You get a plain-language summary and an upfront price for any repair the camera turns up, and a copy of the recording is available on request. There is no pressure to fix anything that day.
Book a sewer camera inspection in San Francisco
The camera head travels through the pipe on a flexible push rod. A counter on the reel tracks how far it has gone. A locator above ground picks up the camera’s signal so we can mark its position and depth.
On the screen, we look for:
Each finding is noted with its distance from the access point. That number turns a vague “somewhere out front” into a specific spot.
Beyond the five-year interval, these are the common reasons owners call us:
For older homes, such as the 1925 to 1950 tract houses of the Sunset District, an inspection gives you a baseline even when nothing seems wrong.
We enter the line through a cleanout. If there is no usable cleanout, we discuss other access points before starting.
If the line is blocked, the camera cannot pass. We clear enough of the blockage to inspect, and note what came out.
We push the camera the full length of the line and record the run. At each defect, we stop, note the distance, and mark the spot on the surface with the locator.
We walk you through the footage, explain each finding, and tell you what, if anything, needs attention.
Drain cleaning restores flow. A camera inspection shows why flow stopped.
When a line is cleared without a look inside, the cause stays hidden. If roots are entering through a cracked joint, the backup will return. An inspection after cleaning tells you whether you are dealing with buildup or damage.
That is why we often pair the two. We clear the line, then send the camera through to see what is left.
You do not need to do much before we arrive:
If you have records or footage from past cleanings, have them ready. Comparing old and new footage shows how the line has changed.
After the inspection, you get:
If the line is sound, we say so. A clean report is a good result.
Some findings only need cleaning and a follow-up inspection. Others need a repair.
| Finding | Usual next step |
|---|---|
| Light roots at one joint | Root clearing, then recheck at the next inspection |
| Grease buildup | Cleaning, then recheck |
| Cracked or offset sections | Repair of the affected section |
| Long run of damaged pipe | Full lateral replacement |
| Collapse or deep sag | Excavation at that point |
For damaged sections, see our sewer line repair in San Francisco. Where the pipe allows it, trenchless pipe repair in San Francisco can replace the line with less digging.
We inspect laterals across San Francisco, from the Outer Sunset and Parkside to Golden Gate Heights. Learn more about our sewer camera inspection services.
How often should I have my San Francisco sewer lateral inspected?
SFPUC recommends a proactive inspection at least once every five years. Inspect sooner if you have repeat backups or are buying a home.
Can the camera tell whether the problem is mine or the city’s?
Yes. The footage shows the distance to each defect. SFPUC treats the section from the building to the curb as the owner’s repair and usually handles the section from the curb to the main after a 311 report and inspection.
Should I get a sewer inspection before buying a home in San Francisco?
Yes. In San Francisco the whole lateral belongs to the property owner. An inspection before closing shows what you are taking on.
Can I get existing records for my side sewer?
San Francisco Public Works directs requests for existing side sewer records to SFPUC’s sewer inspections team. Old records and new footage together give the fullest picture.
Do heavy rains affect what the camera finds?
San Francisco’s combined system carries stormwater and sewage in the same pipes. If backups happen mainly during storms, we look closely for partial blockages and defects that reduce the lateral’s capacity.
Will you push me to repair something right away?
No. A copy of the recording is available on request. If repair is needed, you get an upfront price and time to decide.
Whether you are due for a five-year check, buying a home, or tired of repeat backups, Works Plumbing will show you what is inside your lateral.
Request a San Francisco camera inspection
From Pacifica bungalows to hillside homes, our licensed techs handle every plumbing job with upfront pricing and true 24/7 response. Book a free estimate any time, no obligation.
Every job comes with upfront pricing, licensed and background-checked technicians, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee . No surprises, no pressure, ever.
Snap a photo of the problem before you call, it helps us bring the right parts on the first visit.
See how we handle it:
Upfront pricing, licensed techs, and a real human on the phone 24/7 across the Peninsula.
A look at real Works jobs around the Peninsula.
In San Francisco, the condition of the sewer lateral is the owner’s concern from end to end. In its guidance on taking care of your sewer lateral, SFPUC states that the entire lateral belongs to the property owner and is the owner’s to maintain. The same guidance recommends a proactive lateral inspection at least once every five years.
Why five years? A lateral fails gradually. Roots find a hairline gap at a joint and grow. A slight offset catches debris. A small sag collects solids. Each of these narrows the pipe a little more each year, and the house shows nothing until flow finally stops.
A routine inspection catches that slow change while it is still small. It also creates a record. Footage from one inspection compared with the next shows whether a crack is growing or a root mass is returning.
There is a local reason the record matters. SFPUC splits the lateral at the curb. The owner repairs the upper section, from the building to the curb, and SFPUC usually repairs the lower section after a 311 report and its own inspection. The distance count on our footage shows which side of that line a defect sits on.
We at Works Plumbing record every inspection and mark the curb distance, and a copy of the recording is available on request to share. If the problem is on the city side, you have evidence to support the report.
We also serve these neighboring Peninsula towns.
We’ve earned our reputation one happy homeowner at a time.
“Thank you again for another job well done, and thank you for responding right away. I will continue to recommend Works Plumbing because they respond right away and get the job done efficiently.”
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