Sewer Scopes
A home inspection sewer scope uses a specialized, flexible camera inserted into the main sewer line to identify, record, and locate hidden, expensive issues between the house and the city tap. It detects cracks, root intrusion, blockages, pipe offsets, and sagging (bellies) to prevent costly, unexpected repairs.
Why It Matters
Standard home inspections usually only checks visible plumbing fixtures, not underground pipes. A sewer scope is crucial for older homes with mature trees or homes with a history of plumbing issues, as repairs can cost thousands.
Although performing a sewer scope inspection is not required by InterNACHI’s Home Inspection Standards of Practice, many home inspectors offer it as an additional or ancillary service. The information it yields can be very helpful to homeowners, as well as prospective home buyers. Home inspectors should familiarize themselves with the components, benefits, and practices of a sewer scope inspection when considering whether to offer this service.
Sewer-scoping the line can reveal blockages, damage to the pipe system, and other problems, which are vital for homeowners and home buyers to be aware of. For example, if there is a damp depression in the lawn above the sewer line, or if there is backflow into the home, or if contaminants have been discovered in the potable water supply, a sewer scope inspection can be critical to identifying and confirming these problems, which must be addressed immediately.
Key Functions and Findings
- Identifies Pipe Condition: Detects, damage, corrosion, or deterioration in materials like clay, cast iron, or concrete.
- Detects Blockages: Identifies severe grease buildup, debris, or tree roots that have broken through the pipes.
- Spots Structural Issues: Locates sagging pipes (bellies), separated pipes, or collapsed lines.
- Maps Sewer Lines: Determines the exact path and depth of the pipes.
What to Expect
- Process: The inspector runs water to check for flow, then pushes the camera through a cleanout or main drain.
- Results: You receive a video recording and a report detailing the health of the sewer line.
- Duration: Typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.