What is a Sewer Line Inspection?

If you are looking to purchase or have recently purchased a home, you may have heard about sewer line inspections. What is a sewer line inspection, and how do you know if you need one? Before you complete your home purchase, you’ll want to be sure the plumbing system is in good shape, and a typical home inspection doesn’t cover plumbing. A sewer line inspection can tell you about your potential new home’s plumbing system and identify any potentially costly problems before you sign the dotted line.

Getting a camera sewer line inspection done before you buy a home will allow you to evaluate your potential new home’s plumbing system and will identify any potential problems, including ones the seller might not even be aware of. Plumbing is not covered in a typical home inspection, so a camera sewer line inspection is a method to specifically check the home’s sewer line. In some jurisdictions, these inspections are required. Even if it’s not required where you live, a sewer line inspection is a wise move for a diligent homebuyer to take before completing a home purchase transaction. Camera sewer line inspections are especially critical for older homes (homes that were built more than 10 years ago). 

What is a camera sewer line inspection?

A camera sewer line inspection uses tiny waterproof cameras that are specially built for this function. Obtaining a camera sewer line inspection will give you a detailed visual inspection of the plumbing system and can spot potential problems early. Identifying any plumbing problems at this stage allows for them to be addressed before the title transfers.

To perform a sewer line camera inspection, a licensed plumber inserts a flexible rod equipped with a tiny high-definition video camera into a pipe. The rod travels through the pipeline as the camera transmits video footage of the pipe to a monitor so the plumber can closely inspect it for potential issues. The plumber can inspect an entire pipeline with detailed video footage for reference. 

What issues can a camera sewer line inspection reveal?

• Old pipes – Homes that are older than 50 years likely do not have PVC pipes. If cast iron was used, the pipes may suffer from corrosion. Water materials can also calcify the interior of pipes, disrupting the flow. Rusty pipes can also disintegrate or collapse, leading to the total failure of your piping system. Clay pipes are even more susceptible to old age. As the ground moves, the joints between the clay pipes weaken and allow roots to invade the pipe. This could lead to a blockage or collapse. 
• Thin-walled PVC pipes – Even if the plumbing system does have PVC pipes, they might be older and have become brittle. When PVC piping was created in the 1980s, it was thin-walled, and over time it was discovered that these pipes failed under pressure, resulting in a total plumbing pipe failure. If the house you are considering buying has thin-walled PVC pipes, you may need to replace the entire plumbing system sooner rather than later.
• Tree roots – Tree roots are naturally attracted to water as a source of nourishment and can work their way into small openings or compromised areas of the pipe. The roots then turn those smaller holes into bigger holes, which can cause leakage and potentially lead the pipes to rupture and cause total pipeline failure. Roots that have entered the pipe can also trap debris and cause a blockage; if this root problem is severe, you might need to replace the entire sewer line. Tree roots can grow substantially in 10 to 20 years, so this is a common problem with older homes. 

How can you get a sewer line inspection? 

If you are in need of a plumber to do a sewer line inspection, call Plumbers 911! Our referral network of licensed professional plumbing contractors are experts at camera sewer line inspections, and we can inspect the entire sewer line of any home to spot problems before they become expensive. If you want to do your due diligence, get a sewer line inspection so you know what you’re getting into before you transfer the funds to make your real estate purchase. Whether you are in Tracy, Fresno, Stockton, Modesto or any other city in the Central Valley, Plumbers911 can help you. Give Plumbers911 a call today!