Sewer Scope
Camera inspection of the main sewer lateral. Critical on any home over 20 years old.
A sewer scope is a camera inspection of the main sewer lateral — the pipe that carries waste from your house to the city main or septic system. We feed a high-resolution camera through the cleanout and document the full length of the lateral.
Why this matters
Sewer line failures are some of the most expensive surprise repairs in home buying — typically $5,000 to $15,000, often $20,000+ if street excavation is required. The visual inspection cannot evaluate the sewer lateral. A scope is the only way to know.
What's covered
- ✓Pipe material identification (cast-iron, clay, PVC, Orangeburg)
- ✓Cracks, breaks, or collapsed sections
- ✓Tree-root intrusion (extremely common in older laterals)
- ✓Bellies (low spots) where waste pools
- ✓Offset joints
- ✓Foreign object blockages
- ✓Connection to city main or septic
Southern Minnesota considerations
Pre-1970 southern-MN homes commonly have cast-iron or clay sewer laterals that are at end-of-life. Tree roots are a major issue — the mature trees in older Fairmont, Blue Earth, and Mankato neighborhoods regularly invade laterals.
Pricing
Add $200 to standard inspection. Get exact pricing for your property using the instant quote tool below.
Common questions
How long does a sewer scope take?
About 30 minutes on-site. We feed the camera, document the full run, and walk you through the video at the end.
Do I need a sewer scope on a new home?
Builder warranty typically covers sewer issues for the first year — but we still recommend the scope to document baseline condition.
What if you find a problem?
You get the video documentation to share with sellers, and we recommend a licensed plumber for a repair quote. Many sewer issues are negotiable as part of the inspection contingency.
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