Every Home Should Have a Sewer Scope Inspection

We believe that every home should have a sewer scope inspection. Although no Standard of Practice requires it, many home inspectors offer it as an additional or ancillary service. The information it yields can benefit homeowners and prospective home buyers.

What Is a Sewer Scope?

A sewer scope is 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 connects the property to the publicly owned main sewer line, HOA tap, or septic tank.

Sewer-scoping the line can reveal blockages, damage to the pipe system, and other problems. These problems are vital for homeowners and home buyers to be aware of. For example, suppose there is a damp depression in the lawn above the sewer line. If there is backflow into the home or contaminants have been discovered in the potable water supply, a sewer scope inspection can be critical to identifying and confirming these problems, which a plumbing contractor should address immediately.

Pre-Scope Procedures

Before performing the sewer scope inspection, we need to notify the current homeowner in writing of our intent to scope the sewer and the inspection protocol so that the property owner knows what to expect and that all plumbing cleanout caps can be made accessible prior to the inspection. This notification(Seller’s Notice) is typically made through the Buyer’s agent, as the inspector rarely, if ever, has any contact with the current homeowner.

A seller’s notice describes the practices and procedures of the sewer scope that will be performed (i.e., a request to access the cleanout, a notice that we will not pull toilets, etc.).

Once you arrive at the property, you should walk the grounds and locate the maintenance hole cover(s) to determine the direction of the lateral sewer line’s run. You should also determine the location of the scope access (interior or exterior) and the tools you’ll need. Before beginning the inspection, during your sewer scope inspection, you should advise the owners/occupants not to run the water (sinks, showers, tubs, washing machine, dishwasher, or toilets).

Summary-Every Home Should Have a Sewer Scope Inspection

Adding sewer scope inspections to your home inspection services contract can benefit the property owner and, especially, you, the prospective home buyer. A sewer scope can identify potential defects within the property’s pipelines, but we will not enter any backflow device, city tap, or septic tank. The inspector will advise you(as the Buyer) so that you can request the current homeowner hire a professional to evaluate/repair any discovered defects. We strongly believe that every home should have a Sewer Scope Inspection!