STL Sewer Camera · St. Louis metroCall: (314) 916-4983

Sewer Camera Inspection in St. Louis

A camera inspection shows what is actually wrong inside your sewer lateral, such as roots, a crack, a sag or a collapse, and where it is, before anyone digs.

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STL Sewer Camera is a referral service, not a plumbing company. We pass your request to an independent, licensed local sewer contractor, who quotes and does the work.

When to get a sewer camera inspection

  • Warning signs. MSD lists slow drains, water pooling around basement floor drains, sewage smells, wastewater leaking from a cleanout and wet ground in the yard as signs of a blocked or damaged lateral (MSD).
  • Repeat clogs. If the line has to be cabled again and again, a camera shows whether roots are getting in through a broken joint.
  • Before buying a home. See the pre-purchase sewer scope page.
  • To apply for a lateral program. Several programs need video before they approve anything (see below).

How video is used by St. Louis lateral programs

Who shoots the "official" video depends on where you live. Get this right so you don't pay for an inspection twice.

WhereWho does the camera inspection for the program
City of St. LouisYou hire a plumber licensed in the City, who sends a report and video to the Street Department (City SLRP).
Unincorporated St. Louis CountyYou hire a licensed plumber or drainlayer to clear and diagnose the line. A master plumber or drainlayer certifies the need for repair on the County form (County SLRP).
University CityYour application must include a video inspection and a sketch of the defect, and the cost of that inspection is yours (University City).
KirkwoodThe City's contracted company runs the program inspection after you apply and pay a $400 deposit (Kirkwood).
Webster GrovesHave the line cabled first, then apply. The City's diagnostic contractor does the inspection (Webster Groves).
FlorissantAfter a $300 deposit, the City's contracted plumber inspects and the City Engineer reviews the video (Florissant).

In Kirkwood, Webster Groves and Florissant the program inspection is arranged by the City. A private inspection still makes sense there for a home purchase, for a problem the program doesn't cover (such as pipe under the house) or for a second opinion.

What affects the price

Each contractor quotes its own price. Angi's St. Louis cost guide (updated March 2026) lists an average of about $388, with a typical range of $225 to $572 (Angi). The main factors:

  • How long the line is, and whether it has branches
  • The pipe material: clay, cast iron, Orangeburg or PVC
  • Access: an outside cleanout, or a pulled toilet or roof vent
  • Whether the line has to be cleared or jetted before the camera can pass
  • Whether you want a locate (depth and position marked on the ground), a recorded video and a written report

What you should get

  • The full video, from the cleanout to the connection at the MSD main, with distance markers
  • A plain-English summary of each defect and how far out it is
  • A locate mark for any defect that may need digging
  • Repair options, and whether your city's program may apply

Questions

Can I use one camera inspection for a City of St. Louis program application?

The City asks for a report and video from a plumber licensed in the City of St. Louis. If the contractor who inspects your line holds that license, the same inspection can support your application (City SLRP).

Does a camera inspection fix the problem?

No. It diagnoses the problem. Clearing the line (cabling or jetting) and repairs are separate jobs. Many contractors clear the line and then run the camera on the same visit.

Get a local sewer pro

Call (314) 916-4983 or send a request with your address, the problem and your timeline. It's free to ask and you don't have to hire.

Related pages

Sources

Program details were checked against these pages on October 28, 2026. Programs change, so confirm with your city or county before work starts. This site isn't affiliated with any government program or MSD.

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