Do I Need a Sewer Scope Inspection?

In the myriad details that have to be accomplished when purchasing a home, a sewer scope inspection is probably not high on your list of priorities. In fact, it may not even be on your list of priorities. But in North Texas, we’re here to tell you, that it’s definitely something you should think about, as one of the ways that you can look beneath the surface to learn about the property so you won’t be surprised by future major repairs.

Here are some examples:

Cast Iron Pipes

What you’re seeing in this image is an example of a common occurrence. This is a plumbing cleanout, and you normally find these outside your kitchen on or near the wall your sink faces. It’s a way to easily access the pipes when you have a clogged sink. You can see in the picture that the pipe going into the ground is cast iron, but the cap is PVC. That is likely because the original cap got too corroded to use. They don’t make cast iron replacements anymore, so they got a PVC replacement.

What happens, though, is that people see that cap and don’t realize that there are cast iron pipes under there. And if the cap was corroded and damaged, the pipe probably is too. A sewer scope test will let you know for sure, so you’ll know how soon you’ll be replacing those cast iron pipes.

Blockages

What you’re seeing here are grass and tree roots completely blocking the sewer pipe going from the house. That’s the camera view from inside the pipe. I assume it’s blue because of those blue toilet cleaner thingys. This is going to cause everything that tries to flow through there to back up to the house (or leak into the yard, depending on how severe the break is), so it will need to be cleared by a plumber, and the pipe will need to be repaired where the roots have broken through.

Damage to your sewer line can cause flooding or sinkholes in your yard and foundation damage, not to mention clogged or slow-running water in your house. You can be exposed to bacteria, mold, and/or harmful gases when the sewer is damaged as well.

Signs That You Need a Sewer Scope Inspection

• Your toilets, sinks, showers, or tubs are backing up
• Rodent infestation
• Large trees (their root systems can interfere with the lines)
• Your house was built more than 25 years ago
• Foundation movement (the same movement that shifts your foundation can crack pipes)

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If you’re concerned about your sewer pipes, you can have a sewer scope inspection by calling a plumber or a home inspector who does the test. And when purchasing a home, we definitely recommend putting this test on your list. The more you know about the property you’re purchasing, the more you can rest easy that you have planned for the future care of your home.