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- What Are Netting Escrows & How Does It Work?: The Best Guide - January 2, 2024
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About Sewer Scope Inspection
As a homebuyer, you might need to go through multiple inspections before you decide to buy a new home.
While buying a new home homeowners generally inspect the roof, HVAC, plumbing, and roof.
However, one more important thing to consider for inspection is sewer inspection. In this post, we will understand what sewer scope inspection is in detail.
What Is A Sewer Scope Inspection?
A sewer inspection, also known as sewer scope inspection is very simple. In this, the certified inspector will use a specialized bore scope camera with long cables that are connected to a monitor to record and view videos of your drainage pipelines.
This specialized camera passes through the main drain of the house and the sewer pipe. Inspectors look for visible cracks, blockages, or damages and report structural damage or health hazards to your drainage system.
A sewer scope can take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes, but it depends on the size of your home’s sewer system and the problem.
The certified inspector will then report the results, usually after the inspection. However, the customer will have to wait for the final photo report and final results from the technician to decide what to do next.
Before buying your dream home, you should schedule a plumbing scope inspection and plan to have it inspected regularly as your home ages.
Why Should You Consider Getting Sewer Scope Inspection Done For Your Home?
There are many reasons why you might need a sewer scope conducted. Clogged or leaking drains can cause many health problems. Here are some of the health hazards that live in sewage systems.
Health Hazards
- Harmful gases
- Parasites
- Bacterial infection
- Viruses
- Molds
- Fungal infection
If your sewer system is clogged or leaking under your home, it can affect your and your family’s health.
Structural Harm
A damaged drain can cause structural damage to your home. For example, movement in the sewer pipes under your home can also cause your home to shift. A leaking drain can also be a sign of a home that is shifting or moving. Finally, if your sewer system is affected by tree roots, steps must be taken to prevent tree roots from affecting the foundation of your home.
Below you will find some common consequences of a damaged or worn-out sewer system. It can also be the reason why you need a sewer inspection for your home.
- Foundation problem
- Sinkholes
- Mold problems
- flooding in your house or lawn
When Should You Consider Conducting A Sewer Scope Inspection For Home Purchase?
Before you start looking to buy a new house, it’s good to know what to look for and what the signs are to conduct a sewer inspection before you make an offer.
Here is a short list of common signs that something is wrong or that the sewer system is in danger of being damaged.
- Standing water in your home or space – This can indicate damage to your sewer system or serious blockage.
- Large trees in the yard – One of the most common causes of damage to sewer lines is large tree roots growing around the pipe. Roots can grow around the pipe, narrowing and breaking it or causing small cracks in the pipe that can clog or leak.
- Home is more than 25 years old – Homes built before 1984 may have clay drain pipes that crack or crumble easily. They usually need to be replaced or at least checked to make sure they are working properly.
- If you notice the ground around the home shifting or moving – If the ground around the home appears to be moving, the drain pipes may be damaged. If it is shifted, it means that it has been broken, bent, or damaged and may need expensive repairs. To determine this, look at things like sidewalks and driveways. If the ground surface level with the driveway or sidewalk appears sunken or is piled up above the surface of the concrete, consider getting a sewer inspection done.
Even if you don’t see any of the problems listed above, it’s a good idea to have the sewer inspected for the property that you are planning to buy.
Minor plumbing problems may cause few or no symptoms but can cost thousands of dollars to fix in the future.
Conclusion
The sewer scope inspection will let you know if the property that you are staying in or planning to buy has any blockages or clogs, cracks, damages, type of material used for pipes, tree roots, separation of the pipeline, or any other issues with the drainage system.
Even if you don’t see any issues with the house, you should still consider getting a sewer scope inspection completed.
It is better to have a sewer that is well maintained rather than having an unrepaired one which may add substantial costs in the future.
