Did you know sewer scoping is not required by the American Society of Home Inspectors Standards of Practice? Yet, it’s one of the most common “issues” buyers face after moving into a home. Because we can’t run enough water down your plumbing systems during a home inspection, a sewer scope is especially helpful. There are questions you can ask yourself to determine if you should get a scope. Has this home been vacant? Is the home older than 20 years old? Is it in a neighborhood with lot of trees? Have the lines ever been cleaned out before? Has the previous homeowner ever had sewer issues?
What is a Sewer Scope?
It’s a video inspection of the lateral sewer line leading from the house at/near the foundation and connecting to the city or HOA tap or septic tank. A lateral sewer line is the privately-owned pipeline connecting the property to the publicly-owned main sewer line, HOA tap, or septic tank.
Sewer-scoping a line can reveal blockages. It can reveal damage to the pipe system, and other problems at your home inspection. Do you know what the previous homeowner has been putting down their toilets? Nope – a sewer scope can help! Sewer scopes provide vital information 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 maybe 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. Scoping can save you, the homebuyer, thousands of dollars down the road.
Who does our scopes?
We have a partnership with a third party sewer company who is able to do the sewer scope the day of the inspection. You’ll typically know the findings the same day, and also receive a video of the scope 24-48 hours later. You’ll know immediately of any blockage that would necessitate cleaning out of the sewer line which then can be discussed with your agent and added to the addendum for discussion with the seller.
When you schedule a home inspection, simply ask for a sewer scope. For an additional $220 you’ll get the convenience of a scope happening during your inspection. You’ll also have the peace of mind of knowing what shape your main sewer line is in.