A sewer camera inspection in Smithfield shows whether repeat backups come from a clog, roots or a pipe that's wearing out. About 65% of Smithfield homes were built before 1980, so many building sewers here are old clay or cast iron, and the camera shows their real condition. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Smithfield.
Who handles sewer in Smithfield?
The Town of Smithfield operates its own sewer collection system, with Johnston County interceptors running through town. Treatment happens at Johnston County's Central Johnston County Regional Wastewater Facility, south of Smithfield, which is permitted for 9.5 MGD discharge to the Neuse River. The town's collection lines are its responsibility. The building sewer from your house to the town's connection is the homeowner's, and that's where a plumber's camera goes.
How likely is an old line in my Smithfield house?
Fairly likely. Smithfield is the historic Johnston County seat, and its median home dates to 1973. Building sewers from the 1970s and earlier are commonly clay tile or cast iron. Clay has a joint every few feet, and roots find their way into those joints, especially near the large trees of older neighborhoods around downtown. Cast iron corrodes from the inside, which roughens the walls, narrows the pipe and eventually cracks it. Some older lines have also been patched over the years with plastic, and the camera shows where one material meets another, which can be a weak point. Signs that an old line needs a look include several drains slowing at once, a toilet that gurgles when the washer drains, water rising in the lowest shower, and clogs that return within months.
What will I learn from the inspection?
The plumber enters through a cleanout, or a toilet or vent if needed, and clears the line first if it's holding water. The camera then shows the pipe in real time with a distance counter. You'll see what's wrong and where: roots at a certain distance, a crack, an offset joint, a belly, or buildup. That tells you whether cleaning will hold or a section needs repair, and a locator can mark the spot on the ground. What drives the cost is access, any clearing needed, how long the line is, and whether you want the footage saved.
Permit note
Johnston County Building Inspections is contracted to manage building permit inspections for the Town of Smithfield, and the town's Planning department issues the zoning permit first. The county office is at 309 E. Market St in Smithfield.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Smithfield
What does an older sewer pipe look like on camera?
Why does my main line keep clogging after it's been cleared?
Should I have the sewer line scoped before I buy a house here?
Who handles the permit if the camera finds damage that needs fixing?
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