In a market where houses change hands at these values, an hour with a camera is the cheapest diligence available.
Before you buy
Standard home inspections exclude the sewer lateral. On an Old Village property with an original clay line under mature oaks, that is the most expensive thing that can surface after closing — and it is entirely invisible until it backs up. On a newer build it catches construction debris and bad grade while the builder warranty may still apply.
Before approving any sewer repair
Ask for footage. Roots, a belly, a crack and a collapse look nothing alike and cost very differently. You should be able to see what you are paying to fix.
Locating matters on large lots
Long laterals across big properties mean that knowing exactly where the line runs, and how deep, prevents a great deal of unnecessary excavation if digging is genuinely required.
What we report
- Pipe material and approximate age
- Root intrusion and entry points
- Low spots holding water
- Cracks, offsets and separated joints
- Whether it can be lined or must be replaced
- Route and depth marked from the surface