Sewer Main Line Camera Inspection
A Sewer Camera Inspection is outside the scope of a general home inspection and is NOT included, with any standard inspections. Sewer inspection is offered as an additional service for a fee. Sewer inspections are offered in conjunction with a standard home inspection only. This service is not available separately.
We strive to provide world-class inspection and testing services within every type of budget. We have a team of Certified Inspectors and third-party contractors that are trained in all aspects of sewer inspections and testing to ensure that the home is safe for you and your family. Our inspectors are equipped with the latest technologies in the industry.
Visit our Services Page for a list of all inspection services we offer at SafePro Home Inspections.
What is a Sewer Inspection
Typically sewer lines are installed under the foundation of your house. There’s the concrete slab which is about 4 or 5 five inches thick and then about 2 feet or so of dirt above the pipe. To inspect the pipes and find possible problems, a special sewer video camera head connected to a flexible cable is inserted into the main sewer line cleanout, or in some cases, the vent stack and snaked through the pipes. Then the plumber watches on a monitor at ground level to see what’s going on in your pipes.
Sewer pipes work using the power of gravity. The pipes flow downhill so when something goes into the pipe—waste, debris, water—it flows or drains down through your piping system and ultimately ends up at your city’s waste treatment center or septic tank, depending on your particular situation. However, if something is causing your system to not work properly, in most cases we can use a sewer camera to determine what is causing it. Often in cases like these, we find stoppages, blockages, roots, mud, broken pipe, etc. With a sewer camera, we can also see fittings, tee’s, and other types of connection. We can also use it at the connections to run water. We’re able to see where the water flows to or from and/or comes from one line to another.
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Bellied, or sagging, sewer pipe
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Blockages, especially from improper items getting flushed or old sewer systems
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Breaks and cracks in pipes and joints
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Tree roots that naturally move toward sources of water
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Corrosion of metal pipes
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Misaligned pipes
Most homeowners assume the city is responsible for sewer lines near or past the public street, but that is seldom true. Property owners are responsible for upper and lower lateral lines that connect from their house to the city's sewer lines. The city is responsible for that connection and onto the city's sewer main and lines. Unfortunately, property owners tend to learn this information too late, after receiving a bill for thousands of dollars for repairs. Knowing what you are and are not responsible for can help you save money in the long run. The best way to determine which is to consult your local government or utility company.
Most city municipalities require property owners to maintain, repair, and handle their sewer line replacements. That includes both the upper and lower lateral lines. Because you are responsible for the maintenance of these drains/sewer lines, any collapses or damage caused by neglect or misuse are the homeowner's responsibility and are usually not covered by insurance – you'll have to pay for repairs yourself. Remember, only licensed sewer contractors can conduct residential sewer repairs or sewer cleaning.
Homeowner's Responsibility
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