Sewer Scope Inspection; Complete Guide
Resources — Tatiana Vitas
When you are purchasing a home, there are a couple boxes to check off during a home inspection. A sewer scope inspection does not necessarily come included and is not mandatory, yet certain characteristics of your future home may recommend you purchase a sewer scope inspection.
What is a sewer scope inspection? In short, it’s when a technician runs a camera through your sewers to check for damage and leaks.
The Process
An inspector will use a specially designed camera on a long cable to view the inside of your drains. Depending on the access available and the company, a technician might start on your roof and enter a vent stack on the opposite side of where your sewer ends in order to access the sewer. This gives the inspector the best chance to find damage since the inspector can view the sewer from start to finish.
Vent Stack
Some technicians and companies might only view the sewer from the sewer clean-out to the street. The sewer clean-out is typically located right outside the home. While this is a less holistic view of the drainage pipes, it can suffice to see the general condition of the pipes. Other technicians might remove a toilet to access the sewers, however, this is not as common. The inspection generally takes about 30 minutes and the entire inspection is normally recorded on the camera and the findings are listed in a written report.
How Much Does It Cost?
A sewer scope inspection can cost $150 (if coupled with a home inspection) or over $400 if the inspection is completed on its own.
Sewer Scope Inspection Results
Pay attention for the following below. Any of these items might need repairs or replacement. However, each case is different so be sure to listen to your inspector.
Clogs or blockages
Cracks, damage or imperfections in the line
The type of material used for the line (clay, concrete, plastic, orangeburg, cast iron, etc)
Roots growing through the line
Separation or failure of the line
Bellies in the drain
Why You Need A Sewer Scope Inspection —
Health Risks:
Health effects can occur if your sewer were to back up or leak under your home.
Bacteria Infections
Fungal Infections
Parasites
Viruses
Harmful Gases
Mold
Structural Damage:
If your sewer is leaking under your home, the home could shift. In addition, settling drainage pipes can be a sign of home settling and shifting as well. Lastly, if your sewage system was affected by tree roots, you should take action so the tree roots do not affect your foundation.
Signs You Need A Sewer Scope —
Water Back Ups – This could indicate damage or breakage to the sewer line, or a significant clog.
Large Trees & Roots – 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.
Older Homes (Pre-1970) – Older homes are more likely to have sewers that are degraded and damaged.
Structural Movement – 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.
Lush Patches Of Grass – This is a common sign of a septic or sewer leak. Given its contents, sewer water is actually a powerful fertilizer that can help encourage plant growth. If you see a suspiciously healthy-looking area of the yard, especially if the rest of the lawn seems to be less lush or green, you should be suspicious.
Rodents or Pests – Pests and rodents can live in sewer systems
What If You Are Buying A Home? —
We recommend getting a sewer scope inspection whenever you are purchasing a home, but especially when the home was built before 1970. This is because homes older than 1970 may have Orangeburg or cast iron drain lines. These drain lines are too old to be used today and usually need replacement. They can suffer from root damage, rust, and degradation, and ultimately cause backups or sewer smells in the home.
So Is A Sewer Scope Inspection Worth It? —
The short answer is, yes. For perspective, the average cost to replace your sewer drains is $3,000 to $30,000! This can be due to location, size, and type of replacement. For example, if your drains under the home are in poor condition, you might have to rip up the flooring to access the drains. On the other hand, there is technology available that allows plumbers to basically pump a liner into your old drains. However, data on their reliability is not yet available.
Most sewer scope companies also recommend these inspections on new construction homes. This is because the sewers were just installed and not tested. It’s not uncommon for new construction drain lines to be cracked or improperly installed.
Overall, the cost of having to possibly replace your sewer drains far outweighs the cost of the sewer scope inspection.