A general home inspection looks at
- Fixtures, faucets and visible supply and drain pipes
- How sinks, tubs and toilets drain during the visit
- The water heater and signs of leaks indoors
- Plumbing that can be reached without special equipment
Real estate sewer inspections
Real Estate Sewer Inspections in Coos Bay, Coquille and the South Coast
A real estate sewer inspection, often called a sewer scope, is a camera inspection of the main sewer line from the building to the sewer connection. It is done when a property is bought or sold, to find cracks, roots, sags and other damage that cannot be seen from the surface. Econo Rooter Services, Inc. provides sewer inspections for buyers, sellers and agents across Coos County, northern Curry County and Reedsport.
- Main sewer line viewed from the inside
- Cracks, roots, sags and deterioration identified
- Written findings with recommendations
- Residential and commercial properties
What the inspection shows
What a Sewer Scope Inspection Shows Before Closing
The main sewer line is buried, so a walkthrough cannot show what condition it is in. A sewer scope puts a camera inside the line and follows it from the building toward the street, so damage that would otherwise stay hidden until the first backup is found while there is still time to deal with it in the sale.
- Cracks, breaks and joints that have pulled apart
- Roots growing into the pipe through joints or cracks
- Bellies and sags where water and waste collect
- Offset sections that catch debris and slow flow
- Corrosion, scale and deterioration in older pipe
- Collapsed sections and blockages along the line
This matters most for the private sewer lateral, the part of the line the property owner is usually responsible for, which typically becomes the buyer's at closing. How that responsibility is split in Oregon cities is explained on the sewer services page.
Is it worth it
When a Sewer Scope Is Worth Ordering
Any home connected to a city sewer can have a problem in its line, but some properties carry more risk than others. A sewer inspection is especially worth scheduling during the inspection period when:
- The house is older and its original sewer line may still be in place
- Large trees grow near where the line runs
- The seller mentions slow drains, backups or past clogs
- The home has stood empty, so problems may not have shown yet
- You plan to add a bathroom or more people will live there
- Past sewer repairs were made but are not documented
If the property runs on a septic system rather than city sewer, the inspection you need is a real estate septic inspection.
Sewer vs home inspection
Why a Home Inspection Does Not Cover the Sewer Line
Most buyers order a general home inspection, and many assume it covers the sewer line. It usually does not. A home inspector looks at the plumbing that can be seen, while the sewer line runs underground, out of view, between the house and the street.
A sewer inspection adds
- A view inside the buried main sewer line
- Where cracks, roots or sags are located along it
- How serious any damage is and what it would take to fix
- Written findings to use when negotiating the sale
Our real estate sewer inspection services
Sewer Inspections for Buyers, Sellers and Agents
Residential sewer inspections
Inspections of a home's sewer line to find cracks, roots and aging sections that could become the next owner's problem.
Commercial sewer inspections
Deeper reviews of larger properties, including a focused look at the sewer lateral, to confirm the line's condition before a transaction is finalized.
Pre-purchase sewer inspections
Inspections booked by buyers so hidden problems are found before closing, while there is still room to negotiate.
Seller and listing sewer inspections
Inspections ordered by sellers to address concerns early and give buyers documented details about the line's condition.
Cost and timing
What Affects the Cost and Length of a Sewer Inspection?
A sewer inspection's cost and length come down to how the line is reached, how far it runs and what is inside it. Once the property is known, the inspection is quoted up front, and booking it early in the inspection period gives time to get repair quotes if anything is found.
How the line is reached
An outside cleanout gives direct access. Without one, the line may have to be reached through a roof vent or by pulling a toilet, which adds work.
Length of the line
A home set far back from the street has a longer sewer line to follow than one close to the sidewalk.
What is inside the pipe
Heavy buildup can block the view, and a line may need hydro-jetting before it can be inspected clearly.
Size of the property
Commercial buildings and multi-unit properties can have more than one line, or longer and larger ones, to inspect.
Our process
How a Real Estate Sewer Inspection Works
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Schedule and prepare
The appointment is set around the real estate timeline, and access points and system details are confirmed ahead of the visit.
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Assess the line
The line is reviewed for its condition, alignment and any problem areas along its length.
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Verify what is found
Findings are confirmed and documented with clear observations that support the decisions buyers and sellers need to make.
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Report the results
Results and recommendations are written up in an easy-to-understand format so everyone in the transaction knows the next steps.
Why choose Econo Rooter Services, Inc.
Why Choose Econo Rooter Services for a Real Estate Sewer Inspection
A sewer inspection is only useful if the findings are accurate and easy to act on. Econo Rooter Services understands the sewer lines under South Coast properties, from older lines in established neighborhoods to newer connections, and explains what was found in plain terms so buyers, sellers and agents can make decisions with confidence.
Econo Rooter Services is licensed as an Oregon plumbing contractor (#6-81PB) and registered with the Construction Contractors Board (CCB #143577). Because the same company handles sewer line repairs, recommendations in a report reflect real repair options, and properties on septic can be covered with a septic inspection as well. Both licenses appear on the certifications page for anyone who wants to confirm them.
Sewer inspection questions
Questions About Real Estate Sewer Inspections
What is a sewer scope inspection?
A sewer scope inspection is a camera inspection of the main sewer line that runs from a building to the public sewer. A camera on a flexible cable is fed through the line so its condition can be seen from the inside, which is the only practical way to check a pipe that is buried underground.
Is a sewer scope worth it when buying a house?
A sewer scope is usually worth it when the house is older, has large trees near the line, has a history of slow drains or backups, or has had sewer repairs nobody can document. Sewer line problems are not covered by a standard home inspection and become the buyer's responsibility after closing.
How long does a sewer scope take?
How long a sewer scope takes depends on how the line is reached, how long it is and what is found along the way. A line with an outside cleanout is reached directly, while a line with no cleanout or one with heavy buildup takes more time to access and inspect.
Does a standard home inspection include the sewer line?
A standard home inspection usually looks at the plumbing that can be seen, such as fixtures, visible pipes and how drains empty, but not the inside of the buried sewer line. A separate sewer inspection is how buyers find out what condition that line is in.
What happens if a sewer inspection finds damage?
If a sewer inspection finds damage, the written findings show where the problem is and how serious it is, so buyers and sellers can decide what to do before closing. Options include a repair by the seller, a credit or price change, or a plan to repair the line after the sale.
Do you provide written reports for real estate sewer inspections?
Every real estate sewer inspection from Econo Rooter Services comes with written findings on the pipe's condition and any recommended repairs or maintenance, in a format buyers, sellers and real estate agents can share during the transaction.
