You walk through the home, check the lights, flush the toilets, and everything seems fine. But buried 6 feet underground, a disaster might be waiting.
What is a Sewer Scope?
A video camera is snakes through the drain line from the house to the city sewer main. You get a live video feed of the pipe's condition.
What We Find (The Ugly Truth)
- Tree Roots: Seeking moisture, roots can crush pipes.
- Bellies (Sags): Low spots where waste collects and causes backups.
- Orangeburg Pipe: Common in Idaho homes built before 1970, this tar-paper pipe collapses over time.
- Separated Joints: Leaking sewage into your yard.
The Math is Simple
- Cost of Scope: ~$250 - $300
- Cost of Repair: $5,000 - $15,000+ (requires excavating the yard/street)
If we find an issue, the seller pays for the repair. If you skip the scope, you pay for the backup two months after moving in.