How Does a Sewer Scope Inspection Work?

A sewer scope inspection is not necessarily part of a home inspection, but that doesn’t make it any less critical. It tends to be more of an ancillary service that can help detect any anomalies within your plumbing, storm, and sewer systems. 

Sewer scoping is beneficial to ensure that your overall plumbing and sewage structure are not causing any damage and any issues are identified early on. Managing a leak or pipe breakage can be stressful (and, let’s face it, a bit gross), and the best way to avoid something like that is to carry out periodic sewer scope inspections.

What is a sewer scope inspection?

In broad terms, it’s a way to check on your plumbing and sewer systems, either adding it on as part of a home inspection or if there’s a specific issue such as a leak or tree roots causing damage to pipes. 

Sewer scope inspections are particularly useful if you have an old home, as the plumbing and sewerage in older homes tend to be more problematic. Using a few different techniques, we can do sewer scope inspections quickly and efficiently, so you won’t have to face any delays along the way.

How does a sewer scope inspection work?

A sewer scope inspection is done through a special type of camera, called a sewer scope. This type of camera comes with lights and is attached to a 200’ long cable. Thanks to the cable’s flexibility, we can drop the sewer scope into the pipe or the sewer to check for damage and issues and follow the camera as it moves through the pipe or sewer.

As the camera journeys through pipes, one of our skilled technicians will monitor and watch throughout to identify issues and come up with a plan of action. The sewer scope inspection only takes about 20-30 minutes, so it’s a relatively quick process. Cost-wise, it can range between $150-200. 

Generally, we’d recommend undertaking an inspection like this 1-2 times a year if you are a homeowner. If you are looking to sell, you should add a sewer scope inspection to the home inspection process.

Why do I need a sewer scope inspection?

There are a few reasons why you might need a sewer scope inspection:

• Assess any damage caused by breakage or leaks, such as tree root damage, so that you can undertake appropriate repairs.

• Like we mentioned earlier, if it’s an old home (i.e., older than 20 years), we would recommend a sewer scope inspection. It helps catch issues early on, so it gives you a chance to avoid costly repairs down the line.

• Identify minor pipe replacements rather than major ones. Again, the proactive nature of this service means that you can assess pipes and structures and make minor replacements as needed.

• Identify and remove any blockage, damage, and ensure that stormwater and wastewater are being collected and dispensed appropriately. 

These are just a few of the ways a sewer scope inspection can benefit you. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, we would recommend undertaking this process early on so that you are not caught by surprise down the line. 

When it comes to this process, the benefits outweigh the risks by far, so don’t delay or skip over this service. Leaks and breakages can come up at the most unexpected times, but a sewer scope inspection can reduce the possibilities of that occurring, making it an excellent investment. 

At Trident Inspection Group, our sewer scope inspection services are available alongside a home inspection or separately. Please get in touch to book a free consultation to learn more about our sewer scope inspection experience.