Do You Need a Sewer Inspection Before Buying a Home?
Buying a home involves more than evaluating the kitchen, bathrooms, roof, and overall condition of the property. Some of the most expensive problems can be hidden underground, including issues with the home’s sewer line.
That’s why some buyers choose to have a sewer inspection before buying a house.
A sewer inspection uses a specialized camera to look inside the home’s sewer line and identify problems that may not be visible during a standard home inspection. Cracks, tree root intrusion, blockages, collapsed sections, corrosion, and other issues can potentially result in significant costly repairs.
So, do you need a sewer inspection before buying a home?
A sewer inspection isn’t necessarily required for every home purchase, but it can provide valuable information about the condition of an underground sewer line—particularly when buying an older home, a property with mature trees, or a home that has experienced recurring drainage problems.
What Is a Sewer Inspection?
A sewer inspection is a plumbing inspection that uses a small camera attached to a flexible cable to examine the inside of a sewer line.
The plumber typically accesses the sewer line through a cleanout or another appropriate access point. The camera travels through the pipe while transmitting video to a monitor.
This allows the plumber to look for problems such as:
- Tree root intrusion
- Cracked or broken pipes
- Collapsed sections
- Pipe separation
- Corrosion
- Grease and other buildup
- Foreign objects
- Offset pipe joints
- Sagging or bellied pipes
- Improper connections
- Other visible blockages or damage
The inspection can also help identify the type and general condition of the sewer pipe.
Is a Sewer Inspection Included in a Home Inspection?
Not necessarily.
A standard home inspection generally evaluates the readily accessible components and systems of a property. However, an underground sewer line is not necessarily visible or fully evaluated during a standard inspection.
A dedicated sewer camera inspection is designed specifically to examine the interior of the sewer line.
This distinction is important because a home can appear to have functioning plumbing while still having a damaged or deteriorating sewer line underground.
For buyers, a sewer inspection can therefore provide additional information beyond the standard home inspection.
Why Get a Sewer Inspection Before Buying a House?
The primary reason is simple: you want to know what you’re buying.
Sewer line repairs can be expensive, and many sewer problems aren’t obvious during a walkthrough. A camera inspection can identify potential problems before you complete the purchase.
1. Sewer Problems Can Be Expensive
A sewer line problem isn’t necessarily a minor plumbing repair.
Depending on the location and severity of the problem, repairs can involve excavation, replacement of sections of pipe, trenchless repair, or complete sewer line replacement.
Knowing about a potential problem before closing gives you more information when evaluating the property and its potential maintenance costs.
2. Problems May Not Cause Immediate Symptoms
You can’t easily evaluate an underground sewer line by looking at the property.
The lawn may look perfectly healthy. The bathrooms may drain normally. There may be no obvious signs that anything is wrong.
But a sewer line can have a developing problem without causing an obvious backup.
For example, a pipe may have:
- Early-stage root intrusion
- A crack
- Internal corrosion
- A partial obstruction
- A separated joint
- A developing structural problem
The plumbing may continue functioning until the issue becomes more severe.
A camera inspection provides a view of the pipe itself, which means no hidden issues!
3. You May Be Able to Address Problems During the Purchase Process
If a sewer inspection identifies a significant issue before closing, you have information you didn’t have before the inspection.
Depending on the terms of your purchase agreement and local requirements, you may be able to discuss repairs or other arrangements with the seller.
The specific options available to you will depend on your contract and circumstances, so buyers should consult their real estate professional or appropriate legal advisor regarding their transaction.
When Is a Sewer Inspection Especially Important?
While any buyer may choose to have a sewer inspection, certain properties may warrant additional consideration.
Older Homes
Older homes may have aging sewer infrastructure, particularly if the original sewer line has never been replaced.
Older piping can experience deterioration, corrosion, cracking, root intrusion, and other problems over time.
The age of the house alone doesn’t mean the sewer line is defective. However, it can be a reason to find out the condition of the line.
Homes With Mature Trees
Large trees near the sewer line can increase the potential for root intrusion.
Tree roots can enter through small cracks or gaps in sewer pipes in search of water. Over time, the roots can grow inside the line and contribute to blockages.
A camera inspection can identify whether roots have entered the sewer line and where they’re located.
Homes With Recurring Drainage Problems
If the seller or current occupants have experienced:
- Frequent clogs
- Slow drains
- Sewer backups
- Gurgling drains
- Multiple fixtures backing up at once
Then it’s worth finding out whether there’s an underlying sewer-line issue.
A sewer inspection can help distinguish between an isolated drain problem and a larger issue affecting the home’s main sewer line.
Homes With Disclosed Plumbing Issues
If the property disclosure, inspection report, or seller indicates previous sewer or plumbing problems, a camera inspection may provide additional information about the current condition of the line.
How Long Does a Sewer Inspection Take?
The length of a sewer camera inspection can vary depending on the property, accessibility of the sewer line, length and condition of the pipe, and whether problems are encountered during the inspection.
A relatively straightforward inspection may be completed fairly quickly, while more complicated sewer systems can take longer.
The plumber should be able to provide a better estimate based on the property’s specific plumbing configuration.
How Much Does a Sewer Inspection Cost?
The cost of a sewer camera inspection varies by location, company, property, and the complexity of the inspection.
Some plumbing companies offer sewer camera inspections as a standalone service, while others may include them with certain drain or sewer services.
It’s important to ask exactly what is included in the inspection and whether the service includes video documentation, locating the problem, or a written report.
While there is a cost associated with the inspection, it may provide useful information before purchasing a property with an underground sewer line that could eventually require significant repairs.
What Happens If the Inspection Finds a Problem?
Finding a sewer problem doesn’t necessarily mean you should walk away from the house.
Instead, the inspection gives you information that can be considered alongside the rest of the property inspection and purchase.
The appropriate response depends on the type and severity of the problem.
For example, there is a substantial difference between:
- Minor buildup that can be cleaned
- Limited root intrusion that can be removed
- A cracked section of pipe
- Multiple severely deteriorated sections
- A collapsed sewer line
A plumber can explain what the camera revealed and what type of repair or maintenance may be appropriate.
If you’re still in the purchasing process, you can then discuss the findings with your real estate professional and determine what options are available under your purchase agreement.
Sewer Inspection vs. Sewer Line Replacement
One important distinction for homebuyers is that finding a problem doesn’t automatically mean the entire sewer line needs to be replaced.
The appropriate solution depends on the type, location, and severity of the problem.
Potential solutions can include:
- Drain cleaning
- Root removal
- Hydro jetting
- Spot repair
- Trenchless pipe repair
- Pipe lining
- Sectional replacement
- Full sewer line replacement
A professional should evaluate the inspection findings and explain which options may be appropriate for the specific condition of the pipe.
What Should You Ask Before Scheduling a Sewer Inspection?
If you’re considering a sewer camera inspection during the home-buying process, ask the plumbing company:
- What does the inspection include?
- Will the entire accessible sewer line be inspected?
- Will I receive video footage?
- Can you identify the location of problems?
- Can you identify the type of sewer pipe?
- Will you provide an explanation of anything you find?
- Is the inspection performed through an existing cleanout?
- Are there additional charges if the sewer line isn’t accessible?
- Can you recommend next steps if a problem is found?
Getting clear answers beforehand can help you understand what you’re paying for and what information you’ll receive.
When Should You Schedule the Inspection?
If you’re planning to have a sewer inspection before buying a house, it’s generally best to arrange it during the inspection or due-diligence period, when your purchase agreement allows for additional property inspections.
This gives you an opportunity to learn about the condition of the sewer line before the transaction is finalized.
Your real estate agent can help you understand the inspection deadlines and requirements in your specific transaction.
Is a Sewer Inspection Before Buying a House Worth It?
For many buyers, a sewer inspection can be a relatively straightforward way to get additional information about an otherwise hidden part of the property.
It’s particularly worth considering when purchasing an older home, a property with mature trees, or a house with a history of drainage or sewer problems.
The inspection won’t guarantee that the sewer line will never develop a problem. It also doesn’t replace a standard home inspection. What it can do is provide a direct look inside the sewer line and identify visible problems that could otherwise remain hidden.
Knowing what’s inside the pipe can help you better understand the property’s plumbing system, anticipate potential maintenance needs, and make decisions based on more complete information.