Don't Forget the Sewer Scope When Recommending Inspections for Your Buyer

As a real estate professional, you work hard to ensure your clients make informed decisions when buying or selling a home. One of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of a home inspection is the sewer system. A sewer scope inspection can save your clients thousands of dollars and prevent future headaches, making it an essential service to consider during the home-buying process.

 

Why Sewer Scope Inspections Matter

Most standard home inspections do not include a detailed review of the sewer line, yet it’s one of the most expensive components of a home to repair. Over time, sewer lines can become damaged due to root intrusion, shifting soil, aging pipes, and blockages. Without a proper inspection, these issues may go unnoticed until they cause significant damage, leading to costly repairs.

 

A sewer scope inspection involves inserting a specialized camera into the sewer line to assess its condition. This allows homebuyers to see firsthand whether the line is in good shape or if there are hidden problems that need to be addressed before closing.

 

The Hidden Risks of Ignoring Sewer Lines

When a buyer moves into a home without knowing the condition of the sewer system, they may be in for an unpleasant surprise. Common issues found in sewer lines include:

• Tree Root Intrusion: Roots naturally seek water sources and can infiltrate sewer pipes, leading to severe blockages or even pipe collapse.
• Bellied or Sagging Pipes: A sag in the sewer line can collect debris and lead to backups.
• Old or Deteriorating Pipes: Many homes, especially those built before the 1980s, have clay or cast-iron pipes that degrade over time, leading to leaks and structural failures.
• Blockages and Buildup: Grease, debris, or foreign objects can create obstructions that affect drainage and increase the likelihood of backups.

 

Protecting Your Clients’ Investment

A sewer scope inspection provides buyers with peace of mind and negotiating power. If issues are discovered, buyers can request repairs or replacements as part of their negotiation, potentially saving them thousands of dollars. Alternatively, if the inspection confirms the sewer line is in good condition, it reassures buyers that they are making a sound investment.

 

Partner with a Trusted Home Inspector

By recommending sewer scope inspections to your clients, you are positioning yourself as a knowledgeable and proactive real estate professional. At Carey Home Inspection, we provide thorough sewer scope inspections with clear, detailed reports to help your clients make informed decisions.

 

Let’s work together to protect your clients from unexpected repair costs and ensure they move into their new homes with confidence. If you’d like to learn more about our sewer scope inspection services or schedule an inspection for your next listing, feel free to reach out.

Looking forward to partnering with you!

 

Videos

Check out a sewer inspection in action

Orangeburg Pipe inspection

Grease in a sewer line

Cut the Stress out of the Home Inspection

 

The home inspector and the buyer arrived at your listing ten minutes ago. Your seller is on pins and needles already knowing that their house is nice, but not perfect. You’ve let them know you will call as soon as you hear back from the buyer's agent, and the phone just rang. It’s the buyer's agent. No one needs the stress. There is a way to eliminate, or significantly reduce those calls. As a home inspector we have run into various situations where we needed to call the agent or seller, and have several suggestions on how to avoid it.

 

Make sure your seller turns everything on.
It’s not uncommon for sellers to disconnect or turn off services in a vacant house. I don’t blame them, it’s a safe thing to do to turn off the water or other appliances. In New York home inspectors are not required to turn on systems that are shut down, in some states like Massachusetts it’s actually against the law for a home inspector to do so. Without knowing why a system is turned off no one should turn it back on. It may be under repair or turned off for safety reasons. Confirming with the seller that the electric, water, heat and other systems are on can save a return trip or a call for someone to come out to the house during the inspection. Not only should main shut offs be on, individual systems should also be on. Water heaters and dishwashers are what we find most often shut down.

 

Make sure access to everything is available.
This includes all rooms, the garage, the basement, and the attic. If it’s just a few boxes or some clothing blocking the attic opening most inspectors will take the time to move them. Moving an entire UHaul truck of boxes in the garage to get to the electric panel may be a different story. Not having access means the buyer may want the inspector to return which can just delay the process. Sometimes we encounter locked rooms which always raises red flags, but often these rooms contain access to other systems such as the attic or garage. Making sure all doors are unlocked, the garage is accessible and there is a clear path to the electric panel, water services, heat, and sewer access is important. Another thing we’ve run into more than once is the lock box on the front door, but the storm door locked. This results in everyone standing outside waiting for the seller to return with a key.

 

Leave instructions for things only the seller knows.
A lot happens during an inspection, there isn’t always time to learn all the quirky things about a house. If there is a sub-panel for the addition behind the portrait of grandma in the second floor hallway, the inspector may never find it. Too often inspectors have to call sellers to find out the GFCI reset for the garage is behind the refrigerator in the kitchen or some other hidden spot. Another thing to remember is home inspectors are not always privileged to the conversations the buyers and sellers have had. If everyone knows the second floor tub leaks, let the inspector know before they have to call the agent about water dripping from the first floor ceiling.

 

With just a few things, sellers can eliminate many of the calls that are made to listing agents at inspection and provide for a smooth inspection. 

 

For more tips on what to do before an inspection, attend our upcoming CE class at the GCAR on 10 Things to do Before Your Home Inspection, or ask your broker to have us present it at your office.