Sewer Scope Inspection

What Is A Sewer Scope Inspection?

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you have a lot to think about – from putting in offers, to hiring home inspectors, negotiating the sale of your old home – we get it. There’s a lot on your plate.

But that doesn’t mean you should overlook one of the most commonly-ignored – yet most important – parts of inspecting a home that you’re interested in purchasing. A sewer scope inspection.

Sewer scope inspections are typically not included in a standard home inspection, but are just as important. Why? Let’s discuss the basics about sewer scope inspections and why they’re important now.

Sewer Scope Inspection

The Sewer Scope Inspection Process

Having a sewer scope inspection performed usually only takes a few minutes – and the inspection is just what it sounds like. A trained, professional inspector will run a specialized, flexible borescope camera, which feeds images and video to a monitor. Then, this camera is run through your home’s drainpipe, to examine the sewer lines and other underground pipes for any flaws, imperfections, or serious problems.

The entire process usually takes no more than an hour, altogether. After this, your inspector will tell you about their findings, and issue a report that’s given both to you and the home seller, with information about the condition of the sewer line.

Sewer Scope Inspection Cost

The cost of a sewer scope inspection by Sola Fide Home Inspections is $100 when part of a home inspection or $150 if stand alone.  You will receive a recorded video of the sewer inspection as well as detailed account within the main report.

Doesn’t seem necessary? Consider this – the cost of repairing a broken sewer line costs around $250-$300 – per foot of repaired line. Repairing and replacing an entire sewer line or a line with major structural faults could easily run you thousands of dollars.

Should I Get A Sewer Scope Inspection?

Absolutely. As touched upon above, a sewer line is often one of the most costly things to repair in a home. Getting a sewer scope inspection can help you avoid investing in a home that has serious issues with the sewer/septic system.

Sewer Scope Inspection Results – What To Look For

Wondering what to look for during the inspection? You’ll typically watch the video feed throughout the process. You and your inspector will be looking for:

  • Serious clogs or blockages in the sewer line
  • Cracks, damage or imperfections in the line
  • The type of material used for the line (clay, concrete, plastic, metal, etc)
  • Roots growing through the line
  • Separation or failure of the line
  • Potential damage or issues with the septic tank (if present)

Your inspector will walk you through the entire process, and help you understand what you’re seeing. If no issues are detected, great! If there are some minor problems, you may be able to negotiate a better rate on the home, or at least plan for the repair in your home budget during the next few years. Finally, if there is a major issue, you likely will be able to walk away from the sale, require the homeowner to make the repair themselves, or get them to reduce the cost of the property accordingly.

Know Before You Make An Offer: Get A Sewer Scope Inspection!