Why Every Home Buyer Should Get a Sewer Inspection Before Closing

Written by Steven Shipler, Texas Licensed Master Plumber, Responsible Master Plumber (RMP), MBA, and founder of The Sewer Inspection Company.

Buying a home is one of the largest investments most people will ever make. Buyers typically hire a home inspector, review the roof, inspect the HVAC system, evaluate the electrical panel, and check the foundation. Yet one of the most expensive systems on the property is often completely ignored—the underground sewer line.

A sewer line can be broken, separated, collapsed, invaded by roots, holding standing water, or severely deteriorated while the toilets still flush and the sinks still drain. That is why a sewer inspection before buying a home is one of the smartest investments a buyer can make.

Why Home Inspections Usually Miss Sewer Problems

Most real estate inspections do not include a sewer camera inspection.

The home inspector typically cannot see inside the underground sewer lateral connecting the house to the city sewer system.

As a result, buyers often receive a clean inspection report while major sewer defects remain hidden underground.

The sewer may function today but fail tomorrow.

Unfortunately, once the transaction closes, the repair cost often becomes the responsibility of the new homeowner.

Common Sewer Problems Found During Pre-Purchase Inspections

Our sewer camera inspections routinely discover:

• Root intrusion
• Broken sewer pipe
• Collapsed sewer lines
• Pipe separations
• Offset joints
• Standing water
• Sewer bellies
• Cast iron deterioration
• Heavy grease buildup
• Construction debris
• Improper pipe slope
• Previous unverified repairs
• Cracked clay pipe
• PVC settlement
• Damaged cleanouts

Many of these problems cannot be identified without placing a camera inside the sewer system.

How Much Can a Sewer Repair Cost After Closing?

Many buyers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars purchasing a property without investing a few hundred dollars to inspect the sewer line.

Unfortunately, sewer repairs can range from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the location and severity of the defect.

Common repair scenarios include:

• Spot sewer repairs
• Front yard excavations
• Driveway removals
• Under-slab repairs
• Tunneling projects
• Full sewer replacements
• Sewer reroutes
• Trenchless sewer replacement

Older Homes Carry Higher Sewer Risk

Older homes often have aging sewer systems made from cast iron, clay pipe, Orangeburg pipe, or other materials that may have reached the end of their useful life.

Homes built before the 1990s frequently show signs of:

• Cast iron corrosion
• Bottom channel rot
• Root intrusion
• Joint separation
• Settlement
• Standing water
• Pipe collapse

Even newer homes can experience sewer problems caused by construction defects, settlement, improper installation, or damage during construction.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Actually Shows

A sewer camera inspection allows buyers to see the actual condition of the underground sewer system.

The inspection may reveal:

• The pipe material
• The condition of the pipe walls
• Root intrusion locations
• Standing water locations
• Offsets and separations
• Pipe damage
• Evidence of previous repairs
• Cleanout accessibility
• Approximate defect locations

At The Sewer Inspection Company, every inspection includes a narrated video and a written report explaining the findings in plain English.

Real Estate Agents Are Increasingly Recommending Sewer Inspections

Experienced real estate professionals understand that sewer problems can derail a transaction or create major liability after closing.

Many agents now recommend sewer inspections as part of their buyer due diligence process because the inspection provides valuable information before negotiations are finalized.

If significant defects are discovered, buyers may:

• Request repairs
• Negotiate credits
• Adjust pricing
• Request further evaluation
• Make a more informed buying decision

What Happens If Sewer Problems Are Found?

Finding a sewer problem does not automatically mean you should walk away from the property.

The goal is information.

Once defects are identified, buyers can make informed decisions based on facts rather than surprises after moving in.

Many sewer issues are repairable when properly identified and planned.

Who Should Get a Sewer Inspection?

A sewer inspection is highly recommended for:

• Home buyers
• Real estate investors
• Rental property buyers
• Commercial property buyers
• Builders purchasing existing structures
• Landlords acquiring new properties
• Homeowners purchasing older homes
• Buyers purchasing flipped properties

Questions Buyers Should Ask Before Closing

• Has the sewer line been camera inspected?
• Can I see the sewer video?
• Are there roots inside the line?
• Is there standing water?
• Are there offsets or separations?
• What material is the sewer line?
• Has the line been repaired before?
• Are cleanouts accessible?
• Is the sewer line serviceable?
• Are repairs likely in the near future?

How The Sewer Inspection Company Helps Buyers

The Sewer Inspection Company specializes in helping buyers understand exactly what is happening underground before they purchase a property.

Our inspections include:

• Professional sewer camera inspection
• Narrated inspection video
• Written inspection report
• Defect identification
• Master Plumber review
• Real estate transaction support
• Commercial property evaluations
• Investment property inspections

Helpful Internal Links

• Sewer Inspection Plano TX
• Drain Cleaning Plano TX
• Hydro Jetting Plano TX
• Sewer Line Repair Plano TX
• Trenchless Sewer Repair Plano TX
• Emergency Plumber Plano TX
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