What is a sewer scope inspection?
If you live in the city limits, your home is connected to city sewer lines and if you live in a rural area, your home is on a septic system. Both have sewer lines that take the waste from your drains and toilet to either the city sewer system or your septic tank. From time to time, both city lines and septic systems need sewer inspection of the lines.
A sewer inspection and cleaning on a routine schedule is the best way to avoid having sewer line problems like breaks and clogs, like a sewer line scope inspection.
Typically, a sewer scope inspection is performed during a buying/selling of a property, but as a homeowner, you can have one performed as a standard part of home maintenance. A sewer inspection scope is quick, taking an hour or less in most cases, and is performed by a trained and professional inspector.
This type of sewer inspection is done by the inspector inserting a flexible borescope camera that is specially designed for this type of inspection. It will send pictures and a video back to a monitor that the inspector watches. The camera runs through the drainpipe and examines the sewer lines and all underground pipes connected to your home. It will show the inspector any flaws, imperfections, and possible issues or serious problems.
Once the sewer inspection is complete, the inspector will discuss what was discovered and found, if anything, and provide you a written report. If you are selling the house, a copy of the report will go to the buyer’s real estate agent as well.
What does a septic inspection consist of?
There are two ways a septic inspection can be done. You need to hire an inspector that knows what does a sewer inspection consist of to be sure you are getting what you need. Those two types are as follows:
A Visual Septic Sewer Inspection
The septic inspector will start by checking the age of the septic system and the maintenance history of the system. Then they will proceed with the following steps:
- Flushing toilets – checking for adequate pressure to flush waste down completely.
- Turning on Faucets – checking there is proper water pressure.
- Inspect the Drain field – making sure there is no standing water that could indicate septic lines need repair or replacing.
A Full Inspection
All of the above is included in a full septic inspection in addition to the following:
- Opening the tank cover and check the level, make sure water is flowing properly. Some inspectors will use a dye to measure how much water enters the tank.
- Drain the tank and check for any back flow from the draining field.
- Check for any blockages and clogs that are keeping the system from processing as intended. Any water discovered above the output pipe of the distribution box indicates an issue with the leach field.
How long does it take to do a septic inspection?
For a visual septic sewer inspection, you can expect the process to take between 45 minutes to an hour. For a full sewer inspection, sewer inspection companies will send a certified inspector with the proper sewer inspection equipment and the process can take up to 3 hours.
How much is a sewer line inspection?
Like anything else with your home, a sewer inspection has different costs based on the house, the location, the depth, and distance of the sewer lines, and more. Keep in mind that whatever the cost is for a sewer inspection, it will be cheaper than not getting one and then have sewer line repairs needed later.
Average cost is between $800 to $1000 in most areas of the country. Some places may be less and some may be more expensive. Again, keep in mind that the $1000 you spend now to make sure there isn’t any sewer line or septic tank issues is cheaper than not knowing and be surprised later with an expensive repair and replacement, not to mention the inconvenience.
How do I know if there are roots in my sewer line?
As a property owner, we love trees around our homes. They offer aesthetics and shade, but they can also create problems with the sewer lines. Tree roots are known for creating obstruction and when that happens, it becomes a serious issue fast. Watch for the following warning signs and as soon as you have one or more of them, call a plumber immediately:
- Drains Slow Emptying – not just the sink, but toilet too. Any gurgling noise in the toile is a typical indicator of roots in the sewer line. A professional sewer inspection can confirm this for you and provide a quote for repair.
- Sinkholes – these are normal in some areas, but they can also be caused by tree root damage to the sewer line.
- Blocked or Collapsed Pipes – Nothing is more inconvenient than a backed up toilet and what kids don’t flush down to cause the backup, then you can be certain tree roots will bust through sewer lines to cause damage.
- Strong Foul Odors – When tree roots bust through the sewer line, you’ll have a foul, strong odor around and inside your home, similar to rotten eggs.
Having a sewer inspection every 5 years whether you’re selling your property or not is one measure a homeowner can take to assure they avoid major plumbing problems later. Call 314-348-7503 today for your sewer inspection in St Louis, MO.