Home inspections are done almost EVERY time someone buys a house, but there is one important component that many potential buyers overlook: the main sewer line.
A typical home inspection does NOT include checking the main sewer line because it is buried underground. The only way of knowing the condition of the main sewer piping is to have a sewer scope performed. We find issues in 1 out of 2 sewer lines when we do a sewer scope so the cost of the inspection is worth it (usually $200-300).
Imagine moving into your home and then finding out that there are issues with the sewer system. You will have to deal with messy backups and possibly have to find a place to stay while the sewer line is being repaired.
Speaking of sewer line repairs, they are NOT cheap. On average, repairs can cost $5,000. If the problem is in the street where your sewer line connects to the city sewer, repairs can easily reach up to $20,000 or more.
Sewer scope inspections are important because any problems with the main sewer line between the house and the street are the financial responsibility of the owner. If there are problems with the sewer line that routine sewer cleaning will not solve, the repairs are often expensive.
No age of home is immune to sewer problems. While it is unlikely, even new homes can have problems with the main sewer line (See video below). As you might imagine, the potential for problems increases with the age of the home. If you’re buying a century-old home, it’s smart to have a sewer scope done. There is no clear dividing line between homes that should and should not have a sewer scope performed. The decision will ultimately come down to the new home buyer’s tolerance for risk.
The compilation below shows some examples of what can be found during sewer scope inspections:
Sewer Scope Expert
We have partnered with Chris Hutchens, a sewer scope expert, to provide this service.
Chris has been doing sewer scope inspections for over 6 years and has been certified as a sewer scope tech through the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. He has performed over 500 sewer scopes in that time.
He is also a home inspector who has performed thousands of home inspections since 2013 and has earned his Certified Master Inspector designation from InterNACHI, the highest designation a home inspector can earn in the home inspection industry.
Chris has an eye for issues that can be found while scoping a sewer line and is very good at explaining what he finds. He is undoubtedly one of the most experienced sewer scope technicians in Utah. We are proud to have made this partnership to better serve our clients.
Every sewer scope includes a report of our findings, as well as a video link of the scope. Sewer scope inspections are scheduled through our office at the same time the home inspection is scheduled.
The video clip below shows a real sewer scope inspection on a sewer with several issues: