Sewer scope inspections: checking the pipe a general inspection skips

What the lateral is and who owns it

A sewer lateral is the pipe that connects a home's plumbing to the public sewer system. The City of Springfield, Missouri says laterals are the property owner's responsibility to repair and maintain. The Escambia County Utilities Authority in Florida says its code makes the owner responsible for maintaining and repairing the lateral from the home to the main. Santa Barbara, California extends owner responsibility to the connection fitting that attaches the lateral to the public main.

Local rules differ, so check with your utility. But in many places, if the line fails after you buy, the repair is yours.

What a scope finds

A sewer scope runs a cabled camera through an access point, such as a cleanout, toward the public line. Springfield says a lateral inspection identifies the physical pipe condition, visible defects such as cracks, weak joints and breaks, clogs and obstructions, and tree and root interference. ECUA lists common defects including holes or cracks, deformed pipe, offset joints, blockages and root intrusion.

Ask for both the video and a written report that notes the distance to each defect, which helps contractors price repairs.

Which homes need one most

Consider a sewer scope when:

• The house is older. Santa Barbara notes that laterals in homes built before 1970 are most likely clay, cast iron or Orangeburg and may need repair, rehabilitation or replacement.
• There are large trees nearby. Roots seek water and enter at cracks and failed joints.
• There are warning signs. Slow drains, gurgling, sewage odors or constantly wet patches in the yard.
• The home sat vacant. Problems may not show until the plumbing is in regular use.

Springfield's environmental services department recommends that all homebuyers schedule a sewer lateral inspection before buying.

Septic systems are different

If the home uses a septic system instead of public sewer, a sewer scope is not the right test. EPA recommends that household septic systems generally be inspected at least every three years by a professional, and that tanks typically be pumped every three to five years. Ask for a septic inspection and pumping records instead.

Using the results

If the scope is clean, keep the report for your records. If it finds defects:

1. Get written estimates from licensed plumbers.
2. Decide whether to ask for a repair, a credit or a price reduction.
3. Send your request before your inspection contingency deadline.
4. Check whether your city offers lateral repair programs; Springfield, for example, offers a lateral loan program.

The bottom line

The sewer lateral is usually the owner's pipe and is not covered by a standard inspection. For older homes, homes with big trees or homes with drain trouble, a sewer scope is an inexpensive way to find costly problems while you can still negotiate.