Residential & Commercial
Sewer Inspections

A sewer scope is a visual inspection of the interior of a home's main sewer line, which is the pipe that carries wastewater away from the house to either a public sewer system or a private septic tank. This inspection is performed using a specialized waterproof video camera attached to a flexible rod, often called a sewer camera or plumbing camera.  

Here's a breakdown of what a sewer scope entails:

• The Process: A trained technician inserts the camera into the sewer line through an existing access point, such as a cleanout (a capped pipe usually located outside or in the basement), a vent stack on the roof, or by temporarily removing a toilet. The camera transmits a live video feed to a monitor, allowing the inspector to see the condition of the inside of the pipe in real-time. The inspection is often recorded for later review.  

• What Inspectors Look For: During a sewer scope inspection, the technician looks for various issues, including:

  • Blockages and Clogs: Obstructions caused by grease, debris, or foreign objects.  

  • Root Intrusion: Tree or shrub roots growing into the pipe through cracks or joints. This is a very common problem.  

  • Cracks, Breaks, and Collapses: Damage to the pipe material due to age, shifting soil, or external forces.

  • Offset Joints: Misalignment where sections of pipe connect, which can trap debris and cause backups.  

  • Bellies or Low Spots: Sagging sections of the pipe that can collect wastewater and lead to blockages.  

  • Corrosion and Deterioration: Especially common in older pipes made of materials like cast iron or clay.  

  • Leaks: Evidence of wastewater escaping the pipe.

  • Pipe Material and Condition: Identifying the type of pipe (e.g., PVC, clay, cast iron) and assessing its overall condition.

• For Home Buyers: It's a valuable tool during a home inspection, especially for older homes (over 20-25 years old) or homes with mature landscaping. It can reveal hidden, potentially expensive sewer line problems before you purchase the property, allowing you to negotiate repairs or adjust your offer.  

• For Homeowners: Regular sewer scopes can help identify potential issues early, allowing for preventative maintenance and avoiding costly emergency repairs and potential property damage from sewage backups.  

• For Identifying Problems: If you're experiencing slow drains, frequent clogs, or sewage backups, a sewer scope can pinpoint the exact location and cause of the problem.

YES! Often the biggest problems we encounter are the ones we don’t see and correct in the early onset stages. The time for a sewer inspection isn’t when you get bad smells or sewage backing up through your home’s drain. At any real estate transaction, you should get your main sewer line inspected by a reputable inspector. This helps identify problems BEFORE you or your family is impacted.

YES! Often while in a rush to build your property shortcuts are taken or human error strikes. This could lead to improper connections, backfill, grades, and support of your sewer line. Additionally, heavy equipment could drive over your line causing damage to occur like offsets and line breakage. While on a new construction site workers may decide your home’s drain is a easy way to ditch construction related material (YES, it really happens)

You will receive:

• A YouTube video link of your sewer inspection, followed by a detailed professional report highlighting key details about your sewer line. Our inspector is unbiased and will not push for any service or repair unless genuinely warranted. To maintain our impartiality, we do not endorse any plumbing companies or associated trades.

We are specialist not generalist. Too often we see Home Inspectors offering sewer scopes/inspections and frequently miss defects or identify key components improperly.

We’re a business that believes in honest work for honest pay. Your property will receive the same level of care as if it was my own family’s home! -Guaranteed-

I have been inspecting sewer lines since 2021 in several states to include: Alaska, California, and Nevada.

I have been formally trained and certified ahead and beyond industry standard. I am the founder of Sewer Scope Education and Training that mentors 1,200+ inspectors/members via Facebook page and local meet-ups. Our collective of experts ensure a healthy community of professionals who can share information to ensure accurate assessment of your sewer is performed even when “oddities” arise.