A sewer camera inspection in Sanford records the inside of the private pipe that carries waste from your house to TriRiver Water's sewer. With about 44% of Sanford homes built before 1980, it often turns up roots, cracked joints or a sagging section that explains repeat backups. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Sanford.
Who do I call if sewage backs up in Sanford?
Since July 1, 2024, TriRiver Water has been the water and wastewater provider for Sanford, taking over from the City of Sanford's own utility department. Wastewater goes to TriRiver's Big Buffalo plant, which discharges to the Deep River. If you think the blockage could be on the public side, TriRiver's customer service line is 919-775-8215. If the utility's side is clear, the problem is in your building sewer, and that's the part a plumber's camera inspects. We didn't find where TriRiver draws the line between its responsibility and the owner's, so ask when you call.
Is my older Sanford home's sewer line likely to be the problem?
It's worth checking. Sanford is the Lee County seat and a longtime railroad and industrial city, and its housing is older than the fast-growing Wake suburbs: the median home dates to 1985, and about 44% were built before 1980. Homes in the downtown and Rosemount-McIver Park historic districts can still have original building sewers. Clay tile was common for decades, and its frequent joints are where roots tend to get in. Cast iron lines can corrode from the inside and narrow. A camera shows which material you have and whether it's still in good shape, which a drain snake can't tell you.
What will the inspection actually show me?
A live picture of the inside of the pipe with a distance counter. The plumber enters through a cleanout, or through a toilet or vent if there isn't one, and clears the line first if it's full of water. As the camera moves, you'll see roots, cracks, offset joints, low spots that hold water, and buildup like grease or scale. Each finding gets a distance from the entry point, and a locator can mark it on the ground. Ask for a copy of the video; it helps when comparing repair quotes, and it shows a second plumber exactly what the first one saw.
A note on permits
If the camera finds damage that needs a permitted repair, the City of Sanford/Lee County Inspections Division serves Sanford, Broadway and Lee County. Applications go through its online CSS Portal, and the office can be reached at 919-718-4654.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Sanford
Sewage is coming up a drain. Who should I call first?
Where does my part of the sewer line end and the utility's begin?
What does an older sewer pipe look like on camera?
Can the plumber mark the trouble spot on the ground before anyone digs?
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