What is a Sewer Scope?

A sewer scope is something that is important to have done on your home – or future home – at least once in a while. 

It is important to have one done in order to make sure that everything is running smoothly inside of your home, but many people aren’t even sure of what a sewer scope is, and that is why they aren’t done as often as they should be! 

What is a Sewer Scope Inspection? 

Essentially, it is when an inspector takes a camera, and attaches it to the end of a drain snake or hose. 

The inspector then sticks this camera all the way down the sewer line of the home, and is able to record what the sewer pipes look like. This allows the inspector to tell if they are in good condition or not, without having to dig any pipes up or be invasive to the home. 

Why is a Sewer Scope Important? 

This inspection will allow the inspector to determine the quality of the pipes and sewer lines of the home. This is important because if the inspector notices a defect, this could mean that there are major issues with the home. 

If the scope shows that there are leaks or other defects, they could be very expensive hidden problems that the homeowner didn’t even know about. These could cost thousands of dollars depending on what the defect is and how old the pipes are. 

What are Common Defects Found with a Sewer Scope? 

There are a few things that inspectors look for when they are doing a sewer scope.

Debris

• If there is debris or other foreign objects that have gotten into the sewer line, this is not a good sign. 
• Debris can block up the pipes and keep waste from exiting your home and flowing into the water treatment plant. 

Tree Roots

• Tree roots are commonly found growing into pipes, especially if there are very large and old trees located nearby. 
• Pipes that have had tree roots penetrate and grow into them need to be fixed, because this can cause leaks, cracks, and burst pipes. 

Low, Bowed Areas

• Pipes can begin to sink lower into the ground where they join together, which causes an area of the piping to bow down instead of running parallel like the rest of it. 
• This can allow extra fluid and solid waste to sit at the bottom of this pool-like area in the pipe, and can disrupt the flow. 

Older homes and new build homes are the homes that need a sewer scope the most, but every home should have a sewer inspection every couple of years to make sure that everything is working properly!