All about Sewer Scope Inspections

A Sewer Scope Inspection inspects the sewer line that is between the home and the city main line under the street. A special camera system that uses a waterproof camera on the end of a long flexible fiber optic cable is fed through the line from an accessible cleanout location to determine the pipe material type and locate any problems with the line. Our sewer scope inspection report will contain a video of the inside of the sewer line as well as still images showing any damage that was found. If any damage is found we can determine its location and depth by using a locator that is designed to find the camera head inside the line.

What can a Sewer Scope Inspection find?

When I’m inspecting a sewer lateral line I’m looking at the inside of the line for any serious issues like cracks, breaks, clogs, defective pipe connections that could cause leaks, and roots that have found their way inside the line. I find cracks and roots to be the two most common issues while inspecting sewer lines in Orange County and L.A. County. Both are repairable by a qualified plumber either by digging up the problem area and replacing the line or by using a trenchless repair method. Commonly, the older vitrified clay lines have the most issues since they are brittle and have had decades of use. Having a sewer scope inspection performed is equally important when buying a new home as it is when buying an older home. It’s not just the decades-old homes that can have significant sewer problems, Occasionally brand new homes have issues as well. Improper bedding, crushed lines from careless installation, and construction debris are all defects that could be found at a newly constructed home.

Your sewer system requires maintenance too.

Like the rest of the home, your drain and sewer system require regular periodic maintenance; typically, this would consist of either a hydro-jet cleaning, which is a high-pressure wash of the inside of the line, or cleaning using rotating cutting blades. The type of line material will determine which cleaning method the plumber will use so as not to cause any undue damage to the line. Having your sewer system cleaned yearly will reduce the chances of having a serious backup by removing any invading root balls or problematic scale build-up from the pipe walls.

The benefit of a sewer scope inspection for a prospective homeowner is almost unmeasurable. Generally, there will be one of two outcomes from a sewer inspection. Either you will discover some issues that will empower you to make the appropriate decisions on how to move forward with your transaction and possibly start planning for repairs or, you will receive the peace of mind in knowing that you won’t have to stress over the possibility of a sewer problem if the inspection doesn’t reveal any significant problems. Honestly, I feel you can’t afford not to know the condition of your sewer line, considering how important it is to the functionality of your home.