Sewer Scope Inspections

During a home inspection our inspectors run a lot of water at multiple fixtures to do what we call a hydro test of the plumbing system. Even with our thorough inspection we are still not able to see the interior of the sewer line. ( This is why the underground sewer lines are excluded from all professional home inspection standards and by all home inspection companies ) We also are not flushing toilet paper, doing laundry or washing food down the garbage disposal which can get caught on tree roots or deteriorated drain lines and cause a backup of the sewer line into your newly purchased home. To see these underground drain lines you need a sewer scope inspection.

If you’re intending to buy a home, a sewer scope inspection is highly recommended. Protect yourselves and or your clients with a visual inspection of the sewer line for only $195.00.

How are sewer scope inspections performed?

Sewer Scope Inspections are performed by using a special video camera to give a “colonoscopy” to your home. The camera scope is used to look into the main sewer line from the home to the city sewer or septic holding tank. The access point either at the interior of the home or the yard will be used to view the sewer main sewer line. You and the Inspector will get an up close and personal view of your sewer line, and you can see for yourself, live, on screen everything we’re looking at that allows the inspector to make a proper diagnosis. The sewer scope camera inspection ensures that you know for certain if your home has a clean bill of health, or needs some treatment or repairs made.

What can you expect to see?

Well, normally we see tree roots, offset pipes and bellies. Some better, some worse than others. Sometimes we see broken and collapsed lines and every now and then we’ll see a critter.

What if the home owner says they are not having any problems?

The thing to keep in mind is that you need a clear picture of what’s happening every time you flush, do the dishes, shower and do the laundry. Having a sewer scope exam is just like getting a checkup. This exam is the only way to get a thorough understanding of the condition of your sewer line presently and to know if there are any issues lurking.

When should I have a sewer inspection?

It is especially important when you’re considering buying a home. We have seen time and again the heart break and discouragement of a family that has only been in their newly purchased home for a short while before a sewer disaster strikes. Imagine standing in your new home’s basement, surrounded by moving boxes still not unpacked and your floor is covered in several inches of water and sewage. Or your newly remodeled family room with freshly laid carpet is now covered in muck. If only a sewer inspection had been done before buying, you could have known about this imminent threat and taken action. You wouldn’t buy a car without a peek under the hood and you shouldn’t buy a home without a thorough sewer inspection. There’s no other way of knowing for sure the true condition of the sewer line.