A sewer scope inspection is an important step in buying or renovating a property. The main purpose is to check the condition of the sewer line from the home to the city main. During a home inspection, the inspector runs water in the sinks, showers, and toilets to test normal drainage. However, this does not give insight on the condition of the actual sewer line. The only way to know for sure if your sewer system is in good condition is to run a camera. The national average cost of sewer line repair is $3,000-$8,000. Knowing the condition of the line will save you thousands and will help you avoid major headaches down the road.
The Sewer Scope Inspection Process
Your sewer inspection starts by flushing running water into your sewer system. This helps clear out debris and sediment build-up inside the pipes. Next, the camera is inserted in a cleanout and pushed down into the pipe, where it records images of the interior of the pipe. Depending on the location of the cleanout, the main trunk line of the home may be observed during the inspection. If there are any problems found during the inspection, your inspector will go over them with you on site and will also provide a report with video of the inspection.
Should I Get A Sewer Scope Inspection?
Here is a short list of some of the most common signs that something may be wrong with the sewer system, or that it’s at risk of being damaged.
- Water backing up inside the house or crawlspace – This could indicate damage or breakage to the sewer line, or a significant blockage.
- Large trees in the yard – One of the most common causes of sewer pipe damage is the growth of roots around the pipe. Roots can grow around and constrict the pipe, breaking it, or grow into small cracks in the pipe, clogging it or causing leaks.
- The age of the home – Homes built before 1984 may have cast iron or clay sewer pipes, which can be easily crushed, damaged or heavily corroded. These typically must be replaced, or at least inspected to ensure that they are in good condition. An inspection should also be done on new builds, to ensure proper installation and that the line is free of any construction debris.
- Shifting or movement of the ground around the home – If the soil around a house seems to have shifted, the pipe may have been affected. If it has moved, it could have broken or become bent and damaged, which may require a costly repair. Even if you don’t see any of these above issues, we would still recommend a sewer scope inspection. More minor issues with the sewer line may have few or no symptoms at all – but still cost thousands to repair in the future.
What Are The Common Sewer Scope Findings?
