PROFESSIONAL
SEWER SCOPE INSPECTIONS
If your potential new home was built before 1980 or has cast iron sewer lines, a sewer scope is strongly recommended as part of your inspection. Cast iron was considered durable for its time, but it has a limited lifespan of roughly 40–75 years, depending on soil conditions, usage, and maintenance.
WILL YOU HAVE A SEWER FAILURE?
The challenge with cast iron sewer lines is that they often fail from the inside out—meaning serious deterioration can be present even when the drains seem to be working normally.
A damaged or breached cast iron line can require extensive excavation and full replacement. If the pipe runs under the slab of a renovated home, repairs can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Identifying these issues during the inspection period gives you crucial leverage and clarity. On the other hand, if the pipe is in good condition, you gain peace of mind and open the door to future preservation options—such as CIPP pipe lining, a trenchless repair method that can extend the life of the line without digging.
A sewer scope is a small investment that can protect you from major surprises.
CAN I ADD A SEWER SCOPE TO MY BUYERS INSPECTION?
Certainly! Sewer Scopes can be added to every buyers inspection, and your inspector will complete the sewer scope once the primary inspection has been completed.
We will enter the sewer lines with our Specialist cameras either from an available clean out on the ground, or via the vent piping that is present on the roof.
Our reports include the full video within a report that details any damage or concern with the line. The report can then be forwarded to a plumbing contractor for repair quotation or further analysis.
WHAT KIND OF ISSUES WE FIND
There are many types of sewer line issues that we find. Each of these are critical to be aware of before you purchase the property as cost to repair can be considerable, and failure of a line extremely inconvenient.
PIPE BELLY
A pipe belly occurs when part of the sewer line drops lower than the proper grade, creating a pocket where wastewater and debris collect. Instead of flowing smoothly toward the main sewer, water pools in this sag.
CAST IRON - BREACH
A breach in a cast iron sewer line means the pipe has opened up, cracked, or deteriorated to the point where wastewater is escaping the pipe entirely. Instead of flowing through the sewer line as intended, water and solids can leak into the surrounding soil—or in some cases, under the slab or foundation of the home..
ROOT INTRUSION
Root intrusion occurs when tree or shrub roots enter the sewer line through small cracks, gaps, or aging joints in the pipe. Sewer lines naturally release moisture and nutrients into the surrounding soil, which attracts roots. Once roots find an opening, they grow inside the pipe and expand over time.
DISCONNECTED PIPES
A disconnected pipe means that two sections of the sewer line have separated and are no longer joined together. Instead of forming a continuous channel for wastewater, there is now a gap where sewage can leak out and soil or debris can wash in.