Sewer Scope Inspection
Sewer lines are buried underground and typically out of sight—until something goes wrong. A routine flush doesn’t reveal the true condition of your home’s main drain line, and hidden issues can lead to costly backups or repairs.
At Highview Home Inspections, we use a high-resolution sewer camera to inspect the interior of the main sewer line from the cleanout to the connection at the utility system. This allows us to identify current problems, potential concerns, or confirm that the line is clear and functioning properly.
Your report will include a color video link and clear descriptions of any findings, such as blockages, root intrusion, cracks, breaks, or collapsed sections.
A sewer scope is the only reliable way to detect underground defects—running water and flushing toilets alone cannot reveal partial clogs or hidden damage.
Because we do not perform any repairs, our sewer scope evaluations are completely unbiased. Our only goal is to provide accurate information so you can make confident decisions.
Won’t clogged drains show up during a standard home inspection?
During a home inspection, we run clear water through sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets to verify drainage. However, we cannot flush toilet paper, waste, or other materials that mimic real household use.
A drain may appear to function normally with clean water yet still become clogged once toilet paper or debris encounters:
Root intrusion
Rust buildup inside cast iron pipes
Cracks or separations
Blockages that only restrict heavier materials
A standard inspection cannot replicate the daily usage of an active household, and it cannot visually confirm the internal condition of the sewer line. A camera inspection is the only reliable way to detect hidden damage, partial blockages, or structural issues inside the pipe.
Do I really need a sewer scope inspection?
A sewer line is one of the most expensive systems in a home and also one of the least visible. A sewer scope is the only reliable way to know whats happening underground before you buy.
Severe root intrusion blocking the sewer line
Blockages you’ll never see without a sewer scope
How Do I Know If I Need a Sewer Scope?
At Highview Home Inspections, we recommend a sewer scope for every home, regardless of age. Sewer lines are buried systems and can develop significant defects that are not visible during a standard home inspection. These issues may exist in both new and older construction, often without any obvious warning signs.
Newer homes are not immune to sewer line problems.
Even modern materials and recent installations can experience defects such as improperly bonded or misaligned joints, low areas in the line where water and waste collect, construction debris left behind during installation, grease buildup from previous occupants, or early signs of soil movement affecting pipe alignment. A newer home does not guarantee a clean or defect-free sewer line, as problems can begin developing within the first few years of use.
Older homes typically carry a higher level of risk.
Properties built before the 1980s commonly utilize cast iron or clay sewer piping, both of which are known to deteriorate over time. Cast iron pipes often corrode from the inside out, leading to rust and scale buildup that reduces flow capacity. Cracking may occur, allowing water loss, soil intrusion, or root penetration, and long-term deterioration can significantly restrict the effective pipe diameter.
Clay sewer lines, which are constructed in short, jointed sections, are especially vulnerable to root intrusion, joint separation, and misalignment caused by shifting soil. Gaps between sections can trap debris and restrict flow. These conditions typically worsen over time and may be present even when drains appear to be functioning normally.
A sewer scope provides critical insight into one of the most expensive systems in a home.
Sewer repairs can range from a few hundred dollars for clearing a blockage to tens of thousands of dollars for full line replacement. A sewer scope inspection allows you to understand the true condition of the sewer line, identify potential risks before finalizing a purchase, and gain valuable leverage for negotiations if repairs are needed. Most importantly, it provides peace of mind by revealing what is happening below the surface—making it one of the most cost-effective inspections available.