Is a sewer scope inspection worth it?
Usually, yes. A standard home inspection skips the buried sewer line. When to book a scope, what it can cost, and what to ask the seller for.
Updated · By 
Ben Sikes
Should you get a sewer inspection before buying a house?
Usually, yes. Your home inspector runs the drains inside the house but not the buried pipe that carries waste to the street or the septic tank. A sewer scope inspection puts a camera in that pipe before you own it. Book one inside your inspection window, and ask your home inspector first.
Key takeaways
- Ask for the video file as well as the written report.
- No cleanout can mean pulling a toilet, which costs more.
- Get a plumber's written quote for any defect before you send your request.
Why doesn't your home inspection check the sewer line?
Neither national inspector standard reaches it. Under the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) Standards of Practice, your inspector runs "all sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage" and checks the drain, waste and vent system. The same standard says they need not inspect underground utilities or septic systems.
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) standard is similar. It covers interior drain, waste and vent systems, leaves out septic and other sewage disposal systems, and says inspectors are not required to inspect "underground items."
InterNACHI says a sewer scope is not required by its standards, but "many home inspectors offer it as an additional or ancillary service." So your report can say the drains worked on the day. It can't tell you what the pipe under the yard looks like.
Book a scope if your report notes slow drains or a backup. Balkan Plumbing in Queens, New York says several slow drains point to "a more serious issue with your sewer line." It also flags large trees near the house and clay pipes in homes built before 1970.
What does the camera find, and how serious is it?
The scope looks at the lateral, the privately owned pipe from your foundation to the city main, a homeowners association (HOA) tap, or a septic tank. InterNACHI says scoping it "can reveal blockages, damage to the pipe system, and other problems." Balkan lists cracks, clogs, roots and leaks.
Some signs can't wait. InterNACHI says a damp depression in the lawn over the line, backflow into the home, or contaminants in the drinking water "must be addressed immediately." If sewage is backing up into the house, stop running water there, tell your agent, and get a licensed plumber out that day instead of waiting for a scope.
What does a sewer scope cost?
| Where | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Home inspectors who offer it | $100 to $250, depending on the area | InterNACHI |
| Portsmouth, New Hampshire area plumber, real estate scope | $250 to $500 | Kenco Plumbing & Drains |
| Queens, New York plumber's estimate | $250 to $1,200 | Balkan Plumbing |
Both plumbers are local companies. For your own price, ask your home inspector whether they scope, then get a quote from a plumber near you. If the house has no cleanout, the price can rise: Balkan says the plumber "might have to remove a toilet." A long or clogged line can add cost too. Kenco says heavy buildup "may require sewer line cleaning before inspection." Ask for the full price, cleaning included, before you book.
How long until you get the written report?
Plan on 30 minutes to 2 hours on site, which is Balkan's figure "for most homes." The written report and video take longer. AmeriSave, a mortgage lender, says most companies deliver both within 24 to 48 hours. TLC Home Inspection in the Austin, Texas area issues its report within 24 hours.
AmeriSave also notes you can book the scope for the same visit as your home inspection. When you book, ask for the video file and the report date in writing. Then check that date against your inspection deadline.
What can a sewer scope report let you ask the seller for?
A priced repair. InterNACHI says that if the scope finds defects, the inspector "should advise the homeowner to consult or hire a professional." That professional is a licensed plumber. Send them the video and ask for a written quote.
Kenco Plumbing & Drains in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area puts a full pipe replacement at $3,000 to $10,000 or more. Say the scope there finds a broken line that needs replacing. Your total outlay is the scope plus the repair: $250 + $3,000 = $3,250 at the low end and $500 + $10,000 = $10,500 or more at the high end. Your own plumber's quote, not this range, sets what you ask for.
With the quote in hand, you can ask the seller to fix the line, give a credit, or cut the price. If the seller agrees to repair it, ask for the plumber's invoice, the permit if the city required one, and a new scope video of the finished line before closing. Put the sewer line in the same request as the rest of your report. How to get repair estimates during the inspection period covers getting quotes in time.
What if the seller says no?
You have three choices: take the line as is, ask for less, or use your contract's inspection terms to walk away. What to ask for after a home inspection covers how big a request is normal. Your contract sets the exact dates and terms, so confirm them with your agent or attorney.
Is a sewer scope inspection invasive?
No digging is needed. The camera goes in through the cleanout, a capped access pipe inside or outside the house. InterNACHI tells inspectors to ask the occupants not to run sinks, showers, tubs, the washing machine, the dishwasher or toilets during the scope. Ask your agent to confirm the cleanout is reachable on the day.
Can a sewer scope check a septic system?
No. InterNACHI tells inspectors not to enter the backflow device, city tap, or septic tank. Both inspector standards also leave septic systems out. If the house is on septic, book a separate septic inspection and ask that company for a price.
How do I know what the rest of my list is worth?
Your plumber's quote covers only the sewer line. Kept prices every line of an inspection report and marks the ones that need a professional's quote, $79 per memo, usually under 4 hours.
If your window is closing and the sewer quote is only one line of your request, upload your inspection report to Kept for a number behind the rest.
Sources
- InterNACHI, Sewer Scope Inspections for Home Inspectors
- InterNACHI, Residential Standards of Practice
- ASHI, Standard of Practice
- Kenco Plumbing & Drains, Sewer Line Inspection Cost
- Balkan Plumbing, Sewer Scope Inspection Cost
- AmeriSave, What Is a Sewer Scope Inspection
- TLC Home Inspection, Sewer Scope Inspection
Cost figures are modeled from public wage and materials data unless a line says observed. Kept is accountable for the numbers on this page, and corrections go to support@usekept.com. How we price.