What Happens During a Sewer Scope Inspection?

When buying a home, most buyers understand the importance of a home inspection. But there are some areas of a home that a standard inspection cannot fully evaluate—including the lateral sewer line running from the house to the public sewer main or HOA tap.

That’s where a sewer scope inspection can provide valuable information.

A sewer scope is a video inspection of the lateral sewer line leading from the house at or near the foundation and connecting to the city or HOA tap. Because the lateral sewer line is privately owned by the property owner, problems with this portion of the sewer system may become the homeowner’s responsibility to repair.

And sewer line repairs can be expensive—making it helpful to know what is happening underground before you purchase a home.

What Is a Lateral Sewer Line?

The lateral sewer line is the privately owned pipeline that connects a home’s plumbing system to the publicly owned main sewer line or an HOA sewer tap.

Unlike the visible plumbing inside your home, the lateral sewer line is underground and generally cannot be visually inspected without specialized equipment.

A sewer scope allows an inspector to look inside the pipe using a specialized camera.

What Happens During a Sewer Scope Inspection?

During a sewer scope, a small, flexible camera is inserted into an accessible portion of the sewer line. The camera travels through the pipe toward the city sewer main or HOA tap.

As the camera moves through the line, the inspector can view the interior of the pipe in real time.

The inspection can help identify conditions that may not be visible from inside the home, including:

• Tree root intrusion

• Cracks in the pipe

• Holes or damaged sections

• Pipe separation

• Blockages

• Pooling or standing water

• Other damage or defects within the sewer line

  
  

The inspector documents what is observed and can explain the condition of the sewer line to the homeowner or home buyer.

Why Are Sewer Scopes Important?

A sewer line can appear to be working normally while still having a developing problem underground.

For example, water may currently be flowing through a pipe even though tree roots have begun growing into the line or a section of pipe is cracked or separating. Without looking inside the pipe, these problems may go unnoticed.

A sewer scope can provide an additional level of information about the condition of a home's sewer line and help buyers make a more informed decision about the property.

This can be especially valuable when purchasing an older home, where the sewer line may have aging materials or a history of repairs.

What Problems Can a Sewer Scope Reveal?

Tree Roots

Tree roots are one of the common problems found during sewer scope inspections. Roots can enter through joints, cracks, or other openings in the pipe and continue to grow inside the sewer line.

Over time, root intrusion can contribute to blockages and restrict the flow of wastewater.

Cracks

Cracked sewer pipes can allow soil and water to enter the line and may eventually lead to more significant damage. A camera inspection can help identify cracks that would otherwise remain hidden underground.

Pipe Separation

Sections of a sewer line can separate or become misaligned. This can interfere with proper wastewater flow and may allow surrounding soil to enter the pipe.

Holes or Damaged Pipe

A sewer scope may reveal holes, breaks, deterioration, or other damage within the pipe. The severity of the issue can vary depending on the location and extent of the damage.

Pooling or Standing Water

Ideally, wastewater should flow through the sewer line toward the main sewer system. Pooling or standing water within the line can indicate an issue with the pipe's slope or another condition that should be evaluated.

Blockages

A blockage can restrict or prevent wastewater from flowing properly through the sewer line. A scope can help identify the location and nature of an obstruction.

Does a Sewer Scope Replace a Home Inspection?

No. A sewer scope is a specialized inspection of the sewer line and is not a replacement for a comprehensive home inspection.

A home inspection evaluates many of the home's major systems and components, while a sewer scope focuses specifically on the condition of the lateral sewer line.

Think of it as another piece of the puzzle.

A home may look great above ground, but there are important components beneath the property that deserve attention, too.

Should You Get a Sewer Scope When Buying a Home?

For many home buyers, a sewer scope can be a worthwhile additional inspection.

The cost of identifying a potential sewer problem before purchasing a home can be relatively small compared with the potential cost and inconvenience of discovering a significant sewer line problem after closing.

Most importantly, a sewer scope gives you information about something you cannot see simply by walking through the home or running the faucets.

Buying a Home? Consider Looking Below the Surface.

Your home’s sewer line is an important part of the property, but because it is underground, problems can remain hidden until they become serious.

A sewer scope inspection provides a look inside the lateral sewer line and can reveal conditions such as tree roots, blockages, cracks, holes, pooling, pipe separation, and other concerns.

At En-Vision Property Inspections, we offer sewer scope inspections to help home buyers and homeowners better understand the condition of this important part of their property.

If you're buying a home, don't just look at what's above ground. Sometimes, what's happening below the surface matters, too.