Sewer Scope Services
Sewer Inspection in Vancouver WA, Portland OR, and beyond!
Typical Reasons For Sewer Line Inspections
The most common reasons we perform sewer line inspections are:
In Conjunction With a Home Inspection: We very often perform a sewer line inspection in addition to the home inspection we are performing for a customer. This is in conjunction with the home inspection to check the condition of the main sewer line from the home to the street or septic tank to identify any problems before a home purchase.
Separate Standalone Service: Standalone sewer line inspections are often performed after an event such as a sewer backup where we’re trying to determine the reason and location of the issue. It can also be a periodic checkup on a sewer line due to age and a known history of issues. We also work with many realtors and other home inspectors to perform sewer line inspections in conjunction with a home inspection being performed by another home inspection company.
Commercial Applications: This usually involves working with contractors such as plumbers and general contractors in commercial settings to map out drain lines and to find any issues with them. Usually, this is done before starting any major remodeling projects to help avoid costly drain line repairs after the commercial space is finished. This sometimes includes not only the sewer lines but other drain lines as well.
Why Inspect Your Sewer Line During a Home Inspection?
A sewer line video inspection, often called a sewer scope, is performed to assess the condition of the main sewer line from the home to the destination of either a city connection or a septic tank. It’s an often overlooked aspect of home inspections.
If folks ask what we recommend when they are having a home inspection performed, we always recommend a sewer line inspection because repairs, if needed, can cost thousands of dollars. Repair cost depends on the location of the repair and the depth. If under concrete like a driveway or a city street, the cost goes up.
Also, the deeper the line where it needs repair, the higher the cost due to safety and shoring requirements. As a rule of thumb, if repairs are under the city street, the repair cost starts at $10,000. If no issues are found, a sewer line inspection pays for itself in peace of mind.
What Do We Inspect During A Sewer Scope Service?
We inspect the main lateral sewer line only from the home to the destination (city connection or septic tank), not every individual drain line in the system (for example, from a particular bathroom). The entry point for the inspection camera is typically a cleanout or riser outside the home or in the basement, or by using a plumbing vent on the roof in some cases. Along the way, we look for issues such as tree roots, bellies or low points in the line, standing water, debris, breaks, offsets in the piping, and more.
Why Choose Us?
Our Advanced Technology - During sewer line inspections, the camera we insert into the main sewer line takes photos and videos of the sewer line as we inspect it. We use an industry-leading camera system to inspect the main sewer line from the home to the destination (public city sewer connection or septic tank).
Detailed Reporting - We provide a detailed sewer inspection report outlining the general condition of the inspected portion of line, the location and depth of any defects found, and a video to accompany the report. In the event of doing it alongside a home inspection, you have both the sewer line inspection and home inspection reports in the same dashboard.
By providing the location and depth of defects, you should easily be able to share the report and video with a plumber or sewer line repair contractor to obtain cost estimates for repair. If necessary, we will also discuss the findings with the contractor to provide any further information they need to estimate the cost for repairs.
It’s a Wise Investment - Having the sewer line inspected before purchasing a property is a smart investment. If you are experiencing issues with drainage or backups, a sewer line inspection can possibly determine the cause and location of the issue.
Prevent Costly Repairs - If you are buying a home and we find issues, it's great to know upfront so it can be taken care of prior to purchasing the home or factored into the purchase price. Depending on where the issue is, it can potentially cost many thousands of dollars to repair.
Enjoy Peace of Mind - Knowing the condition of the sewer line is invaluable. If it's in great condition, you can sleep easier at night.
We usually do a sewer scope inspection alongside the residential home inspection, but we can also do a sewer line inspection as an individual service. If we find issues in the sewer line, we will try to pinpoint the location and the depth to assist you in obtaining repair cost estimates from a licensed plumber.
We also work alongside contractors in commercial settings as well. We assist in commercial buildings by mapping out sewer and drain lines along with depth, and locating any issues with the lines prior to beginning the finish work in a new commercial space.
It’s an excellent idea to have a sewer inspection if you are purchasing an older home with cast iron or clay sewer drain lines. A high percentage of older homes have sewer line issues such as roots, broken pipes, old deteriorating Orangeburg piping, standing water, sloping issues, and more.
Here’s what one customer had to say about our sewer line inspector:
"We were very happy with the service we received from 45th Parallel. We needed a sewer line inspection and they were able to get there in a couple of days. Good thing they did because they found the sewer line full of grease and sludge." - TS, Vancouver, WA
Get answers from an Inspection Specialist
Do you have questions about what a sewer scope entails or the process in general? Give us a call or drop us an email to answer your questions today.
We're Certified Inspectors
Schedule an Inspection Today
We are ready to schedule an inspection for you. Click the button and you can choose your date and time and do everything online. Or give us a call and we can schedule it for you.