A sewer inspection can give buyers and investors documented information about the accessible sewer piping. Confirm the inspection scope, property access, and requested report timing when booking.
Every inspection includes a certified Master Plumber Report, prepared by a licensed Texas Master Plumber, Texas License #45825, Texas licensed Master Plumber.
Buying a Property? Inspect the Sewer Line First.
Get video evidence and a certified Master Plumber Report before you close.
Licensed Texas Master Plumber, License #45825, Texas licensed Master Plumber.
Call Now: 972-333-5448Know What’s Underground, Before You Buy.
Start with evidence from the property
Request the inspection scope, written findings, narrated video, and any recommended follow-up. Ask the inspector to explain what was observed and what remains uncertain before making a decision.
Why People Are Learning to Inspect the Sewer Line First
Ask your home inspector whether a sewer camera inspection is included. TREC’s minimum standards, §535.227(a)(3)–(4), do not require interior drain or sewer cameras; qualified inspectors may offer additional services. Use the scope in your agreement to confirm what has been ordered.
The Sewer Inspection Company’s inspections start at $239 and up. We provide residential and commercial sewer inspections across DFW.
I have watched this change happen in real time. The buyers who used to ask “do I really need this?” are now the ones telling their friends not to close on anything without scoping the line first.
You Will Receive a Certified Master Plumber Report
This is what turns an inspection into real protection. Instead of a verbal opinion, the buyer receives a certified Master Plumber Report, prepared and stood behind by a licensed Texas Master Plumber, Texas License #45825, Registered Master Plumber. The report includes:
- The full inspection video of the sewer line, theirs to keep.
- A narrated video walking through exactly what the camera found.
- A written report in plain language documenting each finding.
- Located problem areas marked for a precise repair when defects are found.
- A Master Plumber’s professional opinion to take into the negotiation.
Sewer Inspection Videos: See Why Buyers Look First
These sewer inspection videos show the kind of evidence a camera captures, the evidence that is turning the pre-purchase sewer inspection into a standard step.
Sewer Inspection Video 1
Sewer Inspection Video 2
Sewer Inspection Video 3
Sewer Inspection Video 4
Sewer Inspection Video 5
Sewer Inspection Video 6
Sewer Inspection Video 7
What the Inspection Looks For
Whatever the property type, the camera is checking for the same hidden defects that drive the decision to buy, negotiate, or walk:
| Finding | What It May Mean | Buyer’s Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Clean line | No major defects found. | Move forward with confidence. |
| Roots or minor offset | A repairable, localized issue. | Negotiate a credit or a fix. |
| Belly or poor slope | The line holds water and needs correction. | Locate, price the repair, negotiate. |
| Broken or collapsed pipe | A major, possibly five-figure repair. | Negotiate hard, or walk away. |
What buyers receive
Every job includes a certified Master Plumber sewer inspection report with linked high-definition video narrated by Steven Shipler, a Texas licensed Master Plumber. Review our report review checklist for questions to ask about the findings.
Service Area: Dallas-Fort Worth
We provide sewer line inspections for property buyers across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.
City References: Plano, Frisco, and Dallas
Buyers across North Texas benefit from a sewer line inspection before closing, for the same reasons with a different address:
- Plano, TX: older sewer systems, mature trees, and clay soil drive roots, bellies, and cast iron problems.
- Frisco, TX: newer construction settlement and long sewer runs worth verifying with a camera.
- Dallas, TX: established properties with aging cast iron and clay lines that deserve a Master Plumber’s eye.
Tools and Equipment Used
A reliable inspection depends on the right tools and the experience to read what they show:
- RIDGID SeeSnake sewer camera and reel: used to inspect and record the inside of the sewer line in high resolution.
- RIDGID SeekTech SR-20 locator: used to mark the approximate location of the camera head and the problem area at the surface.
- RIDGID SeekTech ST-305 line transmitter: used to support sewer path tracing, depth estimation, and repair planning.
Helpful Internal Links
- The Ultimate Guide to Sewer Inspections Before Buying a Home
- What Can a Sewer Camera Inspection Find?
- Sewer Inspection Checklist for Home Buyers
- Real Home Buyer Success Stories
- Testimonials
- Contact Us
Inspect the Sewer Line Before You Buy
House, building, or investment property, do not close without knowing what is underground.
Licensed Texas Master Plumber, License #45825, Texas licensed Master Plumber.
Call Now: 972-333-5448Know What’s Underground, Before You Buy.
Schedule Online
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a sewer scope inspection really necessary?
For most buyers, yes. The sewer line is the one major system nobody else checks and one of the most expensive to fix. A sewer scope proves the condition before you close, and you receive a certified Master Plumber Report with it.
How long does a sewer scope inspection take?
Usually about 30 to 45 minutes, including recording the video and locating any problem area we find.
Will I receive a video of the inspection?
Yes. You receive the full inspection video plus a narrated video, along with a written certified Master Plumber Report that reflects the same findings.
Can a sewer scope detect all problems?
A camera shows the condition inside the accessible portions of the line, including standing water, bellies, slope issues, roots, offsets, separations, and breaks. Some issues then need locating and excavation to confirm.
What happens if problems are found?
We document the finding, locate it, and explain your options in the Master Plumber Report, which often means negotiating a repair or credit before closing. You decide how to proceed with the evidence in hand.
Is this service included in a standard home inspection?
No. A standard home inspection evaluates visible systems and does not put a camera in the underground sewer line. A sewer scope is a separate, specialized inspection that completes the picture.
How much can sewer repairs cost?
It depends on the problem. A simple cleaning or spot repair is modest, while a larger replacement that requires excavation, pipe replacement, testing, and restoration is a far bigger project. That is the point of inspecting first. We are not a lawyer or financial advisor, and final pricing depends on the job.
Why are more buyers getting sewer inspections before purchase?
Because modern camera technology has made it fast and affordable to check the one expensive system no one else inspects. Buyers and agents have learned it protects them from a costly hidden surprise.
Should I get a sewer inspection on a commercial property?
Yes. A sewer failure in a commercial building or investment property is an even bigger liability than in a home, which is why commercial buyers increasingly inspect the line before closing.
Should I get a sewer inspection on a newly built property?
Yes. Bellies, debris, and damage are found in newer properties from construction settlement and rough handling during the build. New does not guarantee a clean line.
When in the buying process should I schedule it?
During your option period, ideally alongside the general inspection, so you have time to act on anything we find before closing.
Can a sewer inspection help me negotiate?
Yes. A certified Master Plumber Report with video evidence gives you documented leverage to request a repair or a credit before closing, instead of taking anyone’s word for the line’s condition.
What does it cost compared to a sewer repair?
A sewer inspection is a small fraction of the cost of a major sewer repair. Finding a problem before closing often pays for the inspection many times over in negotiation. Final repair pricing depends on the job.
Does the buyer or seller pay for it?
Typically the buyer arranges and pays for it during the option period, since it protects the buyer. The cost is small compared to a sewer repair.
Should I get one on an investment or rental property?
Yes. A sewer problem in a rental can mean emergency repairs and displaced tenants. Investors increasingly inspect the line first to protect the return on the purchase.
Plumbing Code Reference Section (IPC & UPC)
A sewer line inspection should be evaluated with attention to sanitary drainage, slope, cleanouts, and testing. The 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) are the current model editions. Always verify the adopted code and local requirements with the authority having jurisdiction.
| # | Reference | Why It Matters | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024 IPC, Chapter 7 Sanitary Drainage | Building drain, building sewer, cleanouts, and slope, the core of what an inspection checks. | IPC 2024 Ch. 7 |
| 2 | 2024 UPC, Drainage Systems | UPC sanitary drainage, building sewer sizing, slope, and cleanout requirements. | UPC 2024 Ch. 7 |