Sewer Scope
What is a sewer lateral inspection?
A sewer lateral is the pipe connecting a home or business’ plumbing to the city’s sanitary sewer system. These pipes typically run underneath the house or business’ property before connecting with a larger pipe, called a sewer main, under the street or other nearby area.
Wastewater from the home or business combines with waste from neighboring properties and travels through the main to eventually reach a wastewater treatment facility. Because sewer laterals are owned by the property owner and some uncertainty exists surrounding who enforces maintenance, these pipes are oftentimes neglected, which can lead to serious complications.
Is a sewer scope worth it?
Should I Get A Sewer Scope Inspection? Absolutely. Getting a sewer scope inspection can help you avoid investing in a property that has serious issues with the sewer/septic system.
Here are a few things to look out for when performing a sewer scope inspection:
Pipe Break:
Sewer line breaks can occur because of corrosion (a problem for older homes with galvanized steel plumbing), shifting of the ground due to construction or natural disasters. Other common causes of a broken sewer line include rusted pipes, poor installation, environmental conditions, and punctures.
Belly:
Poor planning and/or bad installations are often the cause of sewer line bellies, as proper bedding compaction, good materials and correct slope are the most important factors needed to prevent the problem. However, natural occurrences like major tree roots, earthquakes, sun or heat, rain, and even cold weather fluctuations can lead to the shifts in the soil that eventually cause bellies.
Root Intrusion:
A cracked or deteriorated lateral or one filled with tree roots can allow groundwater to seep into the system, contributing to the possible sewer backup problems. Blockages due to Tree Roots: Shrubs and trees seeking moisture can make their way into sewer line cracks causing extensive damage.
A typical sewer camera inspection costs $200 for a residential sewer lateral inspection, and most video inspections are completed within one hour. The fee includes all set-up, inspection and clean-up time, and time for you to talk to our service technician and get direct answers to any concerns.