Get the Sewer Scoped Before You Buy

Why it matters

The lateral runs from the house to the city sewer under the front yard. If it is clay, cracked, rooted or sagging, repairs can mean excavation. A standard home inspection usually runs water and looks at visible drains, but cannot see underground. A sewer scope can.

Which homes should be scoped

• Homes built before the 1980s, especially in Woodbridge, Concord and Thornhill.
• Any home with large trees between the house and the street.
• Homes where the seller mentions past backups or repeated drain cleaning.
• Rebuilt or heavily renovated homes on older lots.

What the inspection involves

A camera on a push rod goes in through the main cleanout and runs to the city connection. You see the inside of the line on a monitor. We note pipe material, joints, roots, offsets, sags and cracks, with distances from the cleanout. See sewer camera inspection.

Using the results

If the pipe is sound, you can buy with one less worry. If it shows roots or minor issues, factor yearly cleaning into your budget. If it shows a break or collapse, you have evidence to discuss a price adjustment or a repair before closing. Your agent and lawyer can advise on how to use it in the deal.

Other plumbing checks for buyers

Ask about the water heater: owned or rented, and its age. Check for polybutylene or galvanized supply. Find the main shut-off valve and test it. Look for a backwater valve. Our older home buying guide goes further.