Sewer Camera Inspection & Sewer Line Repair

Sewer Services in Des Moines and Urbandale, IA

 

72 Degrees provides sewer camera inspection, sewer line repair, and trenchless sewer replacement for residential properties across Urbandale, Ankeny, Des Moines, Johnston, Clive, Grimes, Waukee, West Des Moines, and all surrounding Polk County communities. We diagnose before we recommend. No sewer repair is proposed without camera confirmation of what the problem actually is.

 

Call (515) 965-7272 for sewer service or emergency sewer backup response. Available 24/7 with no overtime charges.

 

Sewer Camera Inspection in Des Moines and Urbandale

 

A sewer camera inspection uses a high-resolution camera mounted on a flexible fiber optic cable to transmit real-time video from inside your sewer line. A remote transmitter (sonde) embedded in the camera head allows us to pinpoint the exact underground location of the camera, trace the line's path, and mark problem areas for targeted repair.

 

We use camera inspection in four situations:

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• Recurring drain problems: when drain cleaning has been performed and the problem returns, camera inspection identifies whether the issue is structural rather than a recurring clog.

• Pre-purchase inspections: buyers of older homes in Urbandale neighborhoods like Walnut Creek Hills, Bent Creek Ridge, and Timberline, or in established Des Moines corridors, benefit from knowing the condition of the sewer lateral before closing.

• Sewage odors without an obvious source: odors can indicate a cracked or offset pipe venting sewer gas into the soil beneath the home.

• After a backup has been cleared: camera inspection after clearing a main line confirms the root cause and documents pipe condition for repair decisions.

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What the camera reveals

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• Root intrusion: tree roots enter at pipe joints and grow inward, eventually causing full blockages — common throughout Urbandale's mature oak and elm canopy

• Pipe offset or misalignment: joints that have separated due to soil movement or freeze-thaw settling, creating gaps where debris catches

• Collapsed sections: pipe material that has failed structurally, requiring repair or replacement

• Grease and scale buildup: accumulated deposits in kitchen drain laterals

• Cracks or fractures: particularly common in older clay pipe subject to Iowa freeze-thaw cycles

• Sags or low spots: sections where the pipe has settled, creating standing water that collects solids

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What to expect during an inspection

 

The technician accesses the line at the cleanout, if one exists. If no cleanout is present, we may remove a toilet to gain access. If the line is blocked and will not pass the camera, we clear it first. The full inspection of a standard residential sewer lateral takes 30 to 60 minutes. You receive a clear explanation of what the footage shows and a written report of findings. We do not recommend repairs based on guesswork, and you see exactly what we saw.

 

Sewer Line Repair and Replacement in Polk County

 

When camera inspection identifies a problem requiring repair, the approach depends on the type and location

of the failure. We assess each situation on its own terms and recommend the most practical method, not the most expensive one.

 

Trenchless Repair

 

Trenchless methods repair or replace sewer pipe with minimal surface disruption. The two most common approaches are pipe lining and pipe bursting.

 

Pipe lining (CIPP): a resin-saturated liner is pulled through the existing pipe and cured in place, creating a new pipe inside the old one. Effective for cracked or root-infiltrated lines where the host pipe is still structurally present.

 

Pipe bursting: a bursting head is pulled through the old pipe, fracturing it outward while simultaneously pulling a new pipe in behind it. Used when the existing pipe is too deteriorated to serve as a host for lining.

 

Trenchless methods are well suited to much of the Urbandale and Ankeny housing stock, where sewer laterals run beneath landscaped yards, driveways, or finished basements. We assess each situation with camera footage before recommending a method.

 

Traditional Excavation

 

Some situations require open excavation: collapsed sections that cannot pass lining or bursting equipment, lines that have shifted significantly, or connections at the main sewer that require direct access. Every excavation project in Iowa requires utility marking through Iowa One Call (811) before any digging begins. 72 Degrees coordinates this as part of every excavation project.

 

Sewer Cleaning

 

Sewer cleaning is performed before camera inspection when the line is partially or fully blocked, and as a standalone service for lines that require maintenance. We use cable cleaning and hydro jetting, selected based on the nature of the obstruction. Root intrusion that has grown into a mat inside the pipe requires mechanical cutting before hydro jetting can fully clear it. See our drain cleaning page for a full explanation of both methods.

 

When to Schedule a Sewer Inspection

 

You do not need an active backup to benefit from a sewer inspection. These situations are common indicators that a camera look is worthwhile:

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• Multiple slow drains throughout the house at the same time

• Gurgling sounds in one drain when another fixture is used

• Sewage odors in the yard or near the foundation

• A home built before 1980 that has never had the sewer lateral inspected

• Any home purchase, particularly properties with mature trees close to the foundation or sewer path

 

The City of Des Moines has flagged aging sewer infrastructure as an ongoing priority across older Polk County neighborhoods. Property owners connected to the city sewer system may also benefit from the Private Property Protection Program, which reimburses up to $1,500 for qualifying backwater valve installations. Ask us about eligibility when you schedule service.

 

Schedule Sewer Service in Des Moines and Urbandale

 

Call (515) 965-7272 to schedule a sewer camera inspection or sewer line repair. Emergency dispatch available 24/7 for active sewer backups, no overtime charges.

 

3074 104th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much does a sewer camera inspection cost in Des Moines?

 

Residential sewer camera inspections in the Des Moines metro typically run $150 to $350. 72 Degrees provides a price before the work begins. If you are buying a home, this is one of the most cost-effective inspections you can add to your due diligence process.

 

How long does a sewer camera inspection take?

 

Most residential inspections take 30 to 60 minutes. Lines that require clearing before the camera can pass, complex systems, or multiple access points may take longer.

 

My drain keeps backing up after cleaning. What does that mean?

 

Recurring backups after cleaning typically indicate a structural issue: root intrusion that has re-established, an offset joint that catches debris, or a section that has begun to collapse. Camera inspection identifies which problem is present so the repair can be targeted. See our drain cleaning page for related services.

 

What is trenchless sewer repair and is it available in Urbandale?

 

Trenchless sewer repair (pipe lining or pipe bursting) repairs or replaces the sewer line without excavating the yard or driveway. It is available throughout our Des Moines metro service area and is appropriate for many of the clay and cast iron laterals common in Urbandale and Ankeny neighborhoods. We assess each line with camera footage before recommending a method.

 

Do you handle sewer repairs in Johnston, Grimes, and West Des Moines?

 

Yes. Our service area covers the full Des Moines metro including Johnston, Grimes, West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Altoona, and all surrounding Polk County communities.

 

Should I get a sewer inspection before buying a home in Des Moines?

 

Yes, particularly for homes built before 1980. Older clay sewer laterals are prone to joint separation and root intrusion, and these problems are not visible without camera inspection. A sewer inspection adds minimal cost to a home purchase and can identify a significant repair need before closing.

 

What is Iowa One Call and do you handle that for sewer excavation projects?

 

Iowa One Call (811) is the state utility marking service. Iowa law requires contacting One Call before any excavation so underground utilities can be marked. 72 Degrees handles this coordination as part of every sewer excavation project we perform.

 

Does the City of Des Moines offer any assistance with sewer-related costs?

 

The City of Des Moines Private Property Protection Program reimburses property owners up to $1,500 for qualifying backwater valve installations that protect against sanitary sewer surcharges. Ask us about eligibility when you schedule sewer or sump pump service.