A sewer camera inspection in Wilson records the inside of the pipe from your house to the City of Wilson's sewer and shows what's causing a backup, whether roots, a cracked or sagging section, or a blockage. With about 46% of Wilson homes built before 1980, the condition of the pipe often matters as much as the clog. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Wilson.
Wilson's wastewater is collected and treated by the City of Wilson Water Resources department at the Hominy Creek Water Reclamation Facility on Old Stantonsburg Road, and the city also runs a reuse-water program. Wilson was once known as the world's greatest tobacco market, and its older neighborhoods, including the Old Wilson, West Nash Street and East Wilson historic districts, date back to the early 1900s. Newer subdivisions are mostly in the northwest. The median home was built in 1983, and about 46% predate 1980, so both old clay and cast iron lines and newer plastic ones are common here.
What to do now
- Stop running water if sewage is backing up. No flushing, laundry or long showers until the line is checked.
- Think about the public side. If a neighbor is having the same problem, the city's main may be involved, and the city is the one to contact.
- Find the cleanout, usually a capped pipe near the foundation or in the yard, and clear a path to it.
- Note the pattern: which drains backed up, in what order, and whether it's happened before.
- Ask about the video. When you book, ask whether the plumber will save the recording and mark any problem spot on the ground.
Symptoms and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| All drains slow at once | Blockage or damage in the building sewer |
| Toilet gurgles when the washer drains | Partial blockage downstream of both |
| Lowest shower fills with dirty water | Main line blocked past that fixture |
| Clog returns within weeks | Roots, a sag or a crack catching debris |
| Wet or sunken spot in the yard | Possible break in the line |
In older parts of Wilson, roots at clay joints and corroded cast iron are the most common findings. In newer homes, a settled low spot or a joint knocked out of line is more typical.
What affects the cost
- Whether there's an accessible cleanout or the plumber has to go through a toilet or vent
- Clearing the line before filming
- The length of the run to the city main
- Surface locating and a saved recording
If the camera shows a repair is needed, permits inside city jurisdiction come from the City of Wilson Development Services Inspections Department at the Permit Desk in City Hall, 112 Goldsboro St E, 252-399-2220. Water and sewer tap applications are handled at the same desk.
Sewer Camera Inspection questions in Wilson
What does an older sewer pipe look like on camera?
Will the camera show whether tree roots are in the pipe?
Who handles the permit if the camera finds damage that needs fixing?
Why does my main line keep clogging after it's been cleared?
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