Sewer Scope Inspection Services
See inside your sewer line before you close.
A sewer scope inspection uses a high-resolution camera to travel the length of your main sewer lateral — the underground pipe that connects your home to the municipal sewer system or septic tank. What you find inside can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs after closing.
Camera Technology
High-resolution video inspection of the full sewer lateral from cleanout to connection.
Root & Defect Detection
Identifies root intrusion, pipe cracks, bellying, offset joints, and blockages.
Included with Report
Findings are documented and included in your same-day inspection report package.
What a Sewer Scope Inspection Finds
Many of the most common sewer defects are completely invisible from above ground. A sewer scope inspection documents root intrusion from trees and shrubs growing toward the pipe; pipe cracks or fractures from ground movement or age; bellying, where a pipe section has sagged and collects debris; offset joints where pipe sections have shifted out of alignment; grease buildup or foreign object blockages; and general pipe condition including material type and apparent age.
Older homes with clay or cast iron laterals, homes with mature trees nearby, and homes that have never had sewer service documented are all strong candidates for sewer scope inspection. In many cases, buyers discover significant defects that were not visible during the walkthrough — conditions that directly affect repair cost negotiations.
When to Add a Sewer Scope
We recommend a sewer scope inspection for virtually every real estate transaction, but particularly for: homes built before 1980 (when clay tile pipe was common); homes with large trees within 20 feet of the sewer line; homes where slow drains or odor issues were noted; bank-owned or estate properties where maintenance history is unavailable; and any home where the buyer is investing significant renovation dollars and wants a complete condition picture.
A sewer scope takes less than an hour and can be scheduled as part of your standard home inspection visit. It adds minimal cost relative to the potential expense of a sewer line replacement, which can run $8,000 to $25,000 or more depending on depth, length, and material.
How It Works
Schedule with Your Home Inspection
Add sewer scope to your inspection order at the time of scheduling. No separate appointment needed.
Camera Goes In
The inspector inserts the camera at the cleanout access point and advances it through the sewer lateral.
Live Feed Review
Defects are identified in real time and documented with still images and notation.
Included in Your Report
Sewer scope findings are documented in the same report as your home inspection — delivered same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not universally required, but many buyers request it and some lenders ask for documentation. Even when not required, it is one of the most cost-effective protections a buyer can add to an inspection order.
Most sewer scope inspections add 30 to 45 minutes to the overall inspection visit. They are typically performed as part of a combined home inspection appointment.
A defect found by a sewer scope gives buyers documented leverage to negotiate seller repairs or a price reduction. It also allows buyers to get contractor estimates before closing — rather than after — when their options are more limited.
FPI can scope the line from the house to the septic tank inlet. For a full septic system assessment, we also offer dedicated septic inspections. Ask about bundling both services.
Schedule Your Sewer Scope Inspection
Add a sewer scope to your home inspection and see what is underground before you close. FPI serves North Carolina and Maine with same-day reports.