Are you buying a home in Illinois? Congratulations! But what were your primary focus areas/features when buying a house? Roof? Windows? Interior spaces? That’s cool. However, before you sign that dotted line, it’s also important to consider the condition of what’s underground: the sewer lines. And yes, you need to play smart here.
At times, your realtor might not recommend or emphasize conducting a sewer scope inspection. And this is exactly where you need to play smart. Get the sewer scope inspection even if nobody is asking you to.
These inspections are the best way to know whether there are any small issues that could turn into major headaches, leading to costly repairs. One of the homebuyers reported that their inspectors found tree roots, sediment, and oil clogging the lines, and the diameter of a 4” sewer line was now 1”. Of course, they wouldn’t have known about this if they hadn’t scheduled a sewer scope inspection in the first place.
A sewer scope inspection involves a specialized camera examining the sewer line’s condition. It provides peace of mind and helps you avoid unpleasant surprises. In this blog, we will provide more insights into these inspections.
What Is A Sewer Scope Inspection?
A sewer scope inspection is a specialized process that involves examining your Illinois home’s sewer line’s condition. For this, the professionals use a small, high-resolution camera that is attached to a fixable cable. They feed this camera into your soon-to-be home’s plumbing system, often starting from a clean-out pipe down into the sewer line. This helps in giving a real-time view of the pipe’s interior. The process helps identify any issues like blockages, cracks, tree root intrusion, or pipe deterioration that might otherwise go unnoticed. By catching these problems early, a sewer scope inspection helps you avoid costly repairs and potential sewer line failures, ensuring the plumbing system remains in good working order.
Is A Sewer Scope Part of a Home Inspection?
No, a sewer scope inspection is not usually included in a standard home inspection in Illinois. A general home inspection covers a detailed examination of the property’s structure, systems, and safety. But, usually, it doesn’t extend to the sewer line. The reason? A sewer line inspection requires specialized equipment and expertise that home inspectors often lack.
Also, sewer lines in Illinois are often older and subject to root intrusion or wear from shifts in the soil. This makes sewer scope inspections particularly important for you. So, you shall not expect your home inspectors to cover sewer scope as part of their inspection process. Instead, schedule a sewer scope inspection separately, especially if you’re planning to buy an older home or if it’s showing signs of plumbing issues.
What To Expect During Sewer Scope Inspection?
On an average, a sewer scope inspection isn’t longer than an hour, from beginning till the end. And the major part of the inspection, where the camera is inserted, takes about 5 to 10 minutes. However, along with that, the process involves the inspector flushing the running water through the lines to clear any small debris and lubricate the pipes.
Once this is done, they locate the home’s sewer access point, insert the camera through it and start off with the inspection. When they are done, they follow up with their findings and discuss the next steps if there is a need.
What Do the Inspectors Look for During the Inspection?
Your inspector might let you watch the video feed with them during the inspection. However, the following are some of the issues they will be looking for while inspecting:
- Debris, blockages, clogs
- Damaged or broken pipes
- Tree root intrusion
- Any evidence of sagging or settling sewer lines
- Installation issues
- Improper or outdated piping materials
Why Should You Get A Sewer Scope Inspection?
We might have already convinced you to get a sewer scope inspection- after all, it’s about the investment you’re about to make. But, if you still need a bit of convincing, we have listed some of the major reasons why sewer scope inspection is important. Have a look:
Avoid Costly Repairs
Repairing the sewer line issues is expensive. Yes, the kind of expensive that might feel like a money pit. And this is especially true if they’ve reached a point where they need major work. But, by catching problems early, like minor cracks or blockages, you can save yourself from costly repairs in the future.
Identify Root Intrusions and Blockages
Look around your future home, does it have mature trees nearby? Yes? Well, that could be a red flag. But, if you want to be sure, you need to schedule a sewer scope. Having mature trees surrounding your property means roots can invade the lines, causing blockages, and even pipe breaks. With a sewer scope inspection, it gets easier to identify these intrusions before they lead to serious damage.
Assess the Condition of Older Pipes
Many Illinois homes have aging plumbing systems, and older pipes are more prone to corrosion, cracking, and collapse. A sewer scope inspection provides a clear picture of the pipe’s condition, allowing you to address issues early.
Conclusion
A sewer scope inspection is a smart step that you can take as an Illinois homebuyer. It’s the best way to protect your investment and avoid costly surprises. It’s possible that you might not have added to your checklist yet, but now, you will (we hope you do).
The process helps in assessing the true condition of your future home’s plumbing system, especially if you’re planning to buy an older property or if your home has mature trees nearby.
By catching potential problems early, a sewer scope inspection can save you from the stress and expense of major repairs down the line. So, before signing on the dotted line, consider adding a sewer scope inspection to your home-buying process. This small step can make a huge difference in ensuring your new home remains safe, functional, and free from unexpected plumbing issues.
Avoid costly surprises with Legacy Inspection Group’s expert sewer scoping services! Using advanced camera technology, we identify issues like blockages and cracks before they become major problems. Contact Legacy Inspection Group today for peace of mind and a smooth-running plumbing system!
Contact us for a quote and to discuss your Home Inspection needs today at 847-217-5958. We service the Chicago area for home inspections, mold testing and radon testing.
