Sewer scope inspections
Sewer scope inspections in North Georgia
The pipe that carries everything out of the house is buried where nobody can see it. I run a camera through it and give you the video and my written findings, so you know what’s down there before you buy.
Buying a home? Add a sewer scope when you schedule your inspection
Is it worth it?
Is a sewer scope worth it for this house?
Running the sinks for a few minutes during an inspection can’t tell you much about a pipe buried under the yard. A scope is worth considering when:
- the home is older, or nobody knows how old the line is or what it’s made of
- there are big trees near where the line runs
- the seller mentions backups, slow drains or past line repairs
- you’d simply like to know before your due-diligence deadline
A tree near the line doesn’t mean roots have gotten in; that’s exactly what the camera is for. And think about who owns the pipe. The private line from the house to the public sewer is usually the owner’s responsibility. In Gwinnett, for example, the county says the owner maintains it out to the edge of the right-of-way.
“I asked George to perform a sewer scope inspection and he quickly and efficiently found the source of the problem, which saved us lots of time and money on plumbing services.”
Hugh Thompson · Google review · Sewer scope Read the reviews on Google
What the camera sees
What a sewer scope shows you.
A sewer scope is a video inspection of the inside of the main sewer line that carries waste away from the house. The camera usually goes in through an outdoor cleanout and records what it sees along the line. Depending on access and what’s in the pipe, it can show:
- tree roots growing in at the joints
- cracks, breaks or crushed sections
- sags, or “bellies,” where water sits instead of flowing
- joints that have shifted or pulled apart
- blockages and buildup
When it can be identified, the type of pipe matters too. Older clay pipe can let roots in at the joints, and the fiber pipe known as Orangeburg, used from about the 1940s into the 1970s, tends to deform with age.
You get the video and my written findings, so you can see the line for yourself and share it with a plumber if you need to.
Limits & septic
What a sewer scope can’t tell you.
Access depends on the property, so when you reach out, tell me about any cleanouts you know of and any past work on the line. Blockages can also limit how far the camera can go.
A sewer scope isn’t a septic inspection. If the house uses a septic tank, the camera doesn’t evaluate the tank or the drain field. Arrange a septic evaluation with a septic professional separately, and ask the seller for pumping and repair records. In Georgia, septic permits come through the county’s environmental health office.
Not sure which the house has? Ask the seller. Public water doesn’t always mean public sewer.
Other tests worth knowing about: radon testing and mold testing.
Questions
Sewer scope questions.
The drains worked fine at the inspection. Do I still need a scope?
Maybe. Water can run fine for a few minutes even when roots, cracks or a sag are building toward a backup. The camera shows what’s actually inside the pipe.
Can I get just a sewer scope?
Yes. I do sewer scopes on their own or with a home inspection. For a scope on its own, text or call me to set it up; the online scheduler is for home inspections.
Do I get the video?
Yes. The video comes with my written findings, so you can share both with a plumber or your agent.
How much does a sewer scope cost?
It depends on the property. Text me the address and I’ll tell you, and you’ll know the price before you sign anything.
What happens if the camera finds a problem?
The findings describe what the camera saw and recommend the next step, usually a licensed plumber to pin down the cause and the fix.
What if the house doesn’t have a cleanout?
Tell me when you reach out, and I’ll let you know what’s possible for that property.
Where do you offer sewer scopes?
Anywhere I inspect, within about an hour and a half of Flowery Branch, from Gainesville and Lake Lanier to Gwinnett and metro Atlanta. Adding it to a home inspection? Here’s what inspection day looks like. Find your town →
Sources
- InterNACHI: Sewer Scope Inspection Standards of Practice
- APWA Minnesota Chapter: The rise and fall of Orangeburg pipe (1940s to the 1970s)
- City of Ann Arbor: Orangeburg sewer piping (how it flattens with age)
- Gwinnett County Water Resources: the sewer lateral
- Georgia Department of Public Health: onsite sewage (septic)
Next step
When do you need your sewer scope?
Buying a home? Add a sewer scope when you schedule your inspection
Eyes open, not fingers crossed. — George
What happens next
Tell me the property address and when you need the sewer scope.
I confirm access, the date, time and price with you.
I scope the sewer line and send you the video and my written findings.
You’ll know the price before you sign anything.