Why Sewer Scopes Are Essential During a Home Inspection

As we enter the peak real estate season, many prospective home buyers and investors are on the market to find their next home. While most will wisely schedule a home inspection, many home buyers are unfamiliar with a relatively new, yet essential inspection service that could save clients thousands of dollars in repairs. That service is a sewer scope inspection. Simply put, a sewer scope is a thorough video examination of the condition of the main sewer line that travels from the house property to the city sewer main line or a private septic tank. What are the reasons for scheduling a sewer scope inspection? Below are some key, essential reasons you should always schedule a sewer scope along with your home inspection when purchasing a home.

Reason #1: Sewer Line Repairs Are Expensive

During a home inspection, your inspector’s primary goal is to find any safety concerns, structural concerns, and costly maintenance items. When most people think about a costly home repair, many think about the roof or foundation. Very few people consider a sewer line repair a big-ticket expense. However, sewer line repairs or replacements can run anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the issue. That is a lot to leave up to chance when purchasing a new home. Most home inspectors do not have the tools or equipment to examine the main sewer pipe, neither are they required by any SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to do so.

Reason #2: Early Detection of Clogs & Debris

Imagine moving into your new home and on the first day, you have a toilet overflow? This can not only be a major inconvenience, but a biohazard! A sewer scope performed prior to closing on your home, whether new construction or regular home, can do much good in discovering blockages and debris along the main sewer line. Sewer pipe defects such as low areas, root intrusions, and offset pipes can contribute to the extent of blockages and debris accumulation.

Reason #3: Discover the Extent of Corrosion in Cast Iron Pipes

For those purchasing an older home, most will still have cast-iron pipes. These pipes have a tendency to corrode from the inside before corroding on the exterior of the pipe. This allows for sharp, jagged edges to form in the pipe, thus making it easy for items to catch and clog the pipe. Only a sewer scope can help determine the extent of the deterioration of the pipe. If the cast-iron pipe is found to be in very bad shape, you can potentially save thousands of dollars in replacement before purchasing the home.

Need a Sewer Scope Inspection in the Charlotte, NC Area?

These were just three big reasons that you should consider a sewer scope inspection when purchasing a new home. At Fireline Inspections, we offer this sewer scope service for $250. You can also take advantage of our “Fully Involved” inspection bundle! With that bundle, you will receive a home inspection, sewer scope, and other ancillary services while saving $200 on the overall price. If you need a sewer scope inspection in Charlotte, Huntersville, Mooresville, or surrounding areas, schedule your inspection online or give us a call today at (980)371-6577.