Find a home inspector you can trust with Creekside Home Inspection Services

Sewer Scope Inspections

The pipe that runs from a property's plumbing to the city sewer system or septic tank, often called a sewer lateral, is a critical component that must not be overlooked. Blockages or damage to the sewer lateral are not visible during a regular home inspection and might not present any evidence on the surface. Because the sewer lateral is an underground system, repairs to the piping are typically very expensive.

A sewer scope inspection involves sending a high-tech, flexible camera through the piping to visually inspect for any kind of blockage or damage, including root penetration or separation of the pipes. At Creekside, a state-of-the-art sewer camera with a line length of 130' is used to confirm the current condition of the sewer line. Clients receive a supplemental inspection report detailing the findings, along with a video file of the full inspection.

Due to the high cost of repair, it is important to understand the condition of the sewer lateral when considering the purchase of a new property. Creekside is ready to educate clients about any existing blockages, ongoing maintenance requirements, repair needs, or line replacement — confirming these details before they become the buyer's responsibility. For sellers, a proactive sewer scope inspection can help speed up the transaction and prevent any surprises if a problem is discovered during the buyer's inspection. A sewer scope inspection is recommended for all home inspections, including properties on a septic system.

A sewer scope inspection is also critical for assessing the situation if there are any indicators of a problem, such as a damp depression in the lawn above the sewer line, backflow into the property, or contamination of the water supply. However, there may be problems with the sewer lateral that are not yet affecting the performance of the system but will cause failure later on.