Sewer Camera Inspection in Springfield, VA

What happens when you call

You are connected with an independent plumber who works in the Springfield area, including North Springfield, West Springfield and Newington Forest. Describe which drains are slow, whether the basement floor drain has backed up and roughly when the house was built. The plumber opens a cleanout, clears the line if needed, and runs a camera to the County connection while recording. A locator above ground pinpoints any defect so it can be marked.

If sewage comes up with no fixtures running, call Fairfax County's 24-hour line at 703-323-1211 so the County can rule out its main.

Cost factors

• Whether there is a usable cleanout, or the camera enters through a toilet
• Root cutting or jetting needed before filming
• The length of the lateral and the number of bends
• Surface locating and a recorded copy of the inspection
• Additions, patios or driveways built over the line that limit access

Local conditions in Springfield

Springfield grew from about 1,000 residents in 1950 to more than 25,000 by 1970, so much of the housing dates from the post-war and 1960s-70s boom; the median home was built in 1974. It is a densely built suburban hub around the Springfield Interchange, with Metro and VRE service at Franconia-Springfield and commercial areas along Old Keene Mill and Backlick roads.

For houses of that era, the camera often shows clay tile laterals with roots at the joints, cast iron under the slab with internal scale, and offset joints where soil moved over decades. Some homes have had partial replacements, and the joint between old and new pipe is a common weak point. Fairfax County maintains the main, but the lateral and its connection to the main are the owner's. Repairs that replace pipe need a permit from Fairfax County Land Development Services, filed online through PLUS.

Before the plumber arrives

• Find the cleanout outside or in the basement
• Stop using the washer and dishwasher
• Keep track of which fixtures back up and how often
• Clear stored items from around the floor drain
• Have records of any earlier cleaning or repair handy, including any older inspection video