No homeowner wants to face a $4,000 bill to fix sewer line problems. Is sewer camera inspection worth it when buying a property? The answer is yes! This simple check costs between $250-$500 and can save you thousands in unexpected repairs.
A sewer scope inspection reveals vital information about your property’s waste management system that regular home inspections miss. The inspection helps you find root intrusion, blockages, and pipe damage before they become major headaches. Your home’s sewer lines play a key role in modern waste management by moving wastewater to treatment facilities or septic tanks. Skipping this inspection could leave you with hidden problems that might cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $25,000 or more to fix.
In this piece, you’ll find everything about sewer camera inspections. You’ll learn what they involve, why they matter for property purchases, which problems they can detect, and a detailed cost-benefit breakdown to help you decide what’s best for your home purchase.
What is a sewer camera inspection and how does it work?
A sewer camera inspection is a simple way to check what’s going on inside your property’s sewer lines. This modern approach gives you a clear look at your pipes without digging up yards or breaking walls.
How a sewer scope inspection is performed
Your technician starts by finding the right spot to access your sewer system. They usually work through a cleanout pipe, an existing access point, or sometimes need to remove a toilet. The next step involves putting a high-resolution camera mounted on a flexible rod into the sewer line.
The camera sends live video to a monitor while it moves through the pipes. A trained professional watches closely to spot any issues in your sewer system. They look for signs of trouble like cracks, blockages, root intrusions, or other damage.
Modern sewer cameras come with location transmitters. This helps your technician find the exact spot where problems exist on your property. You’ll get a detailed report of everything they find, and most companies include video footage of the inspection.
What equipment is used during the process
The main tool is a high-resolution video camera that sits on a flexible rod. This setup can direct through all the twists and turns in your pipes. These cameras have powerful LED lights that make the dark pipe interior clearly visible.
The setup needs monitors to view the footage live, recording devices to save everything, and locator equipment to find the exact spot and depth of any problems. Some of the newer systems use special software that can spot issues and predict future problems.
How long the inspection typically takes
You can expect a sewer camera inspection to take between 30 minutes to 2 hours. The time needed changes based on a few things:
- Property type and size: A home’s shorter sewer lines need about 30-60 minutes, while bigger commercial buildings might take all day.
- Complexity of the system: Longer lines with lots of bends need more careful work, so they take longer.
- Accessibility: Easy-to-reach cleanout points make things quick, but buried access points that need digging take more time.
The camera work itself usually takes just 5-10 minutes. Most of your time goes into getting ready and checking the results.
Why sewer inspections matter when buying a home
Most homebuyers rely on standard home inspections to spot potential problems when buying property. They don’t realize that a critical system hiding beneath the surface could cost them thousands.
Hidden issues not covered in standard home inspections
Standard home inspections don’t check sewer systems. Home inspectors can’t legally inspect sewer or septic systems due to safety regulations and licensing requirements. Serious problems with your sewer line might stay hidden until it’s too late. Homeowners often discover these issues months or years after purchase when they face expensive and disruptive plumbing emergencies.
How sewer problems affect property value
Sewer line issues can hurt your property’s value in several ways. Industry studies show that homes with unresolved plumbing problems lose 10% to 20% of their value. Some banks even label properties with badly damaged sewer lines as “unacceptable risks” until repairs are complete. Money aside, these problems create health risks through sewage backups, bad smells, and soil contamination.
Why older homes are at higher risk
Homes over 20 years old face higher risks of sewer problems. This risk increases for properties built between the 1950s and 1970s because their sewer lines often used degradable materials like pulp and tar. Many older homes still use their original clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg pipes—materials that break down over time. Sewer pipes typically last about 40 years, which means older homes likely have systems that need replacement.
A sewer scope inspection gives you leverage during price negotiations. You can ask sellers to fix problems or lower the price if issues show up. This small investment protects your health and financial future.
What problems can a sewer scope inspection uncover?
A professional sewer scope inspection can uncover hidden plumbing problems that might cost thousands after you buy a home. These specialized cameras spot several serious issues lurking in underground pipes. Problems often stay hidden until they cause major damage.
Tree root intrusion
Moisture naturally attracts tree roots, which makes sewer pipes their prime target. Roots find their way through tiny cracks in pipes and grow larger until they block or completely destroy the pipe. Root intrusion accounts for over 50% of all sewer blockages, making it the most frequent problem discovered during inspections.
Pipe cracks and corrosion
Pipes break down as they age due to soil movement and constant pressure. Clay and cast iron pipes face a higher risk of cracking and corrosion. Small cracks might not leak right away but they signal bigger problems ahead that will need fixing.
Blockages and buildup
Pipes get clogged when grease, oil, and debris collect inside them. Cooking grease hardens as it cools and mixes with other materials to create tough blockages. The pipe’s diameter shrinks gradually as scale builds up, which traps waste more easily.
Collapsed or bellied pipes
Water and waste collect in low spots created by sagging pipes. Poor installation, ground settling, or shifting soil often leads to these “bellied” sections. These pipes will break or collapse completely if left unfixed.
Rodent or pest entry points
Damaged sewer lines give pests an easy way into your home. Rats can squeeze through quarter-sized holes, while cockroaches and other pests use cracked pipes as pathways to enter your house.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost and is it worth it?
A sewer inspection cost is no match for what you might pay for repairs later. These simple tests are a great way to get information about a critical system before you commit to buying a property.
Typical price range in Los Angeles and San Bernardino
Sewer camera inspections in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties usually cost between $250 and $500. The price varies based on your property’s complexity and accessibility. You might pay around $275 as an add-on to a home inspection, while standalone inspections cost about $325 in Los Angeles County. Of course, some companies bundle their services with video recording, detailed reports, and minor repairs.
Cost comparison: inspection vs. repair
The numbers tell a clear story – you can spend a few hundred dollars now or risk thousands later. A typical sewer line repair costs about $4,000. Complex issues that need full line replacement can run between $10,000-$40,000. One homeowner skipped the inspection and ended up spending over $10,000 the next winter to fix sewer line blockages.
When to schedule a sewer inspection when buying a house
Your sewer inspection should happen during the contingency period before closing. This timing gives you the most options – you can negotiate repairs with the seller or adjust your offer if problems come up. You might even walk away from the deal if serious issues are found.
Is a sewer scope worth it for new homes?
The answer is yes, surprisingly. New homes usually have good sewer lines, but inspectors have found unexpected damage in new construction. Construction debris can end up in sewer lines. Heavy equipment might crush pipes, or connections could be faulty. The peace of mind makes the modest inspection cost worth it.
Conclusion
Sewer camera inspections are one of the best investments you can make when buying a home. This straightforward process costs between $250-$500 and can save you thousands in unexpected repairs later.
To name just one example, see what happens if you skip this vital inspection. You might find collapsed pipes, tree root intrusions, or severe blockages after buying the property. You could end up with repair bills from $4,000 to $40,000 – definitely not the kind of surprise any new homeowner wants.
Homes built before 2000 need extra attention, particularly those with original clay or cast iron pipes that have reached the end of their 40-year lifespan. New construction homes also need inspection because of possible construction debris or improper installations.
The right timing can make a big difference for your sewer inspection. Getting it done during the contingency period gives you more power to negotiate repairs with the seller or adjust your offer. This small investment protects your wallet and gives you peace of mind with one of life’s biggest purchases.
Standard home inspections in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties don’t get into what’s under your yard. A full sewer camera inspection is your best protection against hidden plumbing problems.
Let Western Rooter give you a free estimate on your pre-purchase sewer inspection today and take the guesswork out of your home-buying decision!
