Do You Need a Sewer Scope Inspection When Buying a Home in Michigan?

A home’s sinks, showers, and toilets can appear to drain normally while a serious problem is developing underground. During a standard home inspection, I operate the plumbing fixtures and look for visible leaks, slow drainage, backups, and other warning signs. However, that does not show me the inside of the buried sewer line running away from the house. The only practical way to see what is happening inside that line is with a sewer camera.

A sewer scope inspection can uncover tree roots, cracked or collapsed clay pipe, shifted joints, heavy corrosion, mineral buildup, standing water, rocks, toys, construction debris, and other obstructions. These problems may remain completely hidden until the sewer backs up or requires an expensive repair.

Every sewer defect pictured in this article was found during an inspection I personally performed in Michigan. These are not stock photos or unusual examples pulled from the internet. They are actual conditions I have encountered in local sewer lines.

Tree-root intrusion discovered during a sewer scope inspection.

What Is a Sewer Scope Inspection?

During a sewer scope inspection, a specialized camera is inserted through an accessible cleanout or other suitable access point. The camera is advanced through the home’s main sewer line toward the municipal connection or septic system, depending on the property.

As the camera travels through the line, examining:

• The visible pipe material and overall condition

• Connections between sections of pipe

• Cracks, deterioration, and collapsed areas

• Tree-root intrusion

• Offset or separated joints

• Corrosion and mineral buildup

• Standing water and drainage concerns

• Foreign objects and other obstructions

  
  

Photos and video are included with the inspection findings so the client can see exactly what was discovered.

A standard home inspection evaluates the operation of accessible plumbing fixtures, but it does not provide a view inside the buried sewer lateral. A sewer scope is a separate inspection specifically intended to examine that otherwise hidden portion of the property.

Common Problems Found During Michigan Sewer Inspections

Southeast Michigan has homes of nearly every age, so sewer materials and conditions vary considerably. Some older homes have clay and/or cast-iron piping, while newer homes commonly use PVC. Every material has its own potential concerns.

Here are some of the more significant problems I have personally encountered.

Tree-Root Intrusion

Tree roots naturally seek moisture and can enter a sewer line through small cracks, damaged areas, and the joints between older clay pipe sections. Once inside, the roots can continue growing and begin catching toilet paper and other waste.

A small amount of root intrusion does not automatically mean that the entire sewer needs immediate replacement. However, roots inside a sewer confirm that an opening exists somewhere in the pipe. More substantial root growth can restrict drainage and contribute to repeated blockages or sewage backups.

Removing the roots may restore drainage, but it does not necessarily repair the opening that allowed them to enter.

Tree roots entering an older clay sewer line through a pipe joint.

Calcium and Mineral Buildup

I have found substantial calcium or mineral deposits concentrated around multiple sewer-pipe joints. This buildup can gradually reduce the usable diameter of the pipe and create a rough surface that catches waste.

Deposits concentrated around a joint may also indicate that moisture is entering through an imperfect connection and leaving minerals behind. The location and severity of the buildup should be considered along with the pipe material and surrounding conditions.

The plumbing fixtures may continue to drain even when the available opening inside the sewer has become substantially smaller.

Heavy mineral deposits reducing the opening inside a residential sewer line.

Corroded and Scaled Cast-Iron Pipe

Older homes may have cast-iron sewer piping beneath the basement floor or near the foundation. As cast iron ages, its interior can develop heavy rust, scaling, and deterioration.

This creates a rough surface that catches debris and restricts flow. In advanced cases, corrosion can substantially reduce the inside diameter of the pipe or contribute to deterioration along the bottom of the line.

A heavily scaled sewer may still carry water during a brief inspection, but its remaining capacity and long-term reliability can be questionable.

Heavy corrosion and scaling inside an older cast-iron sewer line.

Offset or Separated Pipe Joints

Sections of sewer pipe should generally align so wastewater can flow smoothly from one section to the next. Settlement, soil movement, root pressure, or poor installation can cause a joint to shift.

Not every minor offset requires immediate excavation. Its significance depends on the amount of displacement, its location, the pipe material, and whether waste is collecting at the joint.

A more substantial offset can restrict flow, allow roots or soil to enter, allow sewage water into the soil which can cause ground contamination and soil erosion and can possibly prevent the sewer camera from traveling farther through the line.

An offset sewer connection creating a restriction and leakage between two pipe sections.

Cracked or Collapsed Clay Pipe

Clay sewer tile is common in many older Michigan neighborhoods. Clay can remain functional for decades, but it is brittle and can crack from settlement, soil movement, root pressure, or physical damage.

A crack may allow roots, soil, and groundwater to enter the sewer. More severe damage can result in a section of pipe partially or completely collapsing.

Once a sewer pipe collapses, simply cleaning the line will not correct the underlying problem. The damaged section will generally require additional evaluation and repair by a qualified sewer contractor.

A severely damaged clay sewer lines

Rocks, Toys, and Other Foreign Objects

Some sewer-camera findings are harder to explain.

I have found rocks and even a small baby toy inside residential sewer lines. Foreign objects may enter through a damaged pipe, an open cleanout, previous construction work, or by being flushed down a toilet.

Even a relatively small object can catch toilet paper and other waste, eventually creating a larger obstruction. Finding a rock or other debris inside the line may also raise questions about whether the sewer was previously damaged, left open, or improperly repaired.

Yes, that is a small baby toy and a rock inside a residential sewer line.

Do Brand-New Homes and PVC Sewer Lines Need a Sewer Scope?

A common misconception is that a new home—or any home with PVC sewer piping—does not need a sewer scope.

PVC avoids many of the corrosion and deterioration problems associated with older cast-iron and clay piping, but it can still have significant defects.

If a pipe is not installed on properly prepared and compacted soil, the ground beneath it may settle and create a low spot, commonly called a belly. Wastewater and solids can collect in this area instead of flowing completely out of the line. Persistent standing water observed during a sewer scope may indicate a low area, although additional evaluation may be needed to determine its exact severity.

PVC piping can also be damaged by excessive weight above it. For example, a large construction vehicle or heavy truck driving across the front yard could potentially deform, crack, or shift a buried sewer line—particularly if the pipe is shallow, inadequately supported, or surrounded by poorly compacted soil.

Other potential problems in new sewer installations include:

• Improper slope

• Poorly aligned or separated connections

• Crushed or deformed piping

• Settlement around or beneath the pipe

• Damage from heavy construction equipment

• Construction debris left inside the line

• Incorrect connections or other installation errors

Construction debris is another reason to consider a sewer scope on a new build. Unfortunately, workers may sometimes rinse plaster, drywall compound, grout, concrete residue, or similar materials into the plumbing system.

If that material is not completely flushed through, it can settle inside the sewer and harden into clumps. Those deposits may restrict drainage or catch additional waste.

The plumbing may initially appear to work normally because nobody has lived in the home long enough to place the system under regular daily use. Once a family moves in and begins using multiple showers, toilets, sinks, a dishwasher, and a washing machine, an installation defect or partial obstruction may become much more apparent.

A new home should not have these problems—but “new” does not automatically mean “properly installed.” A sewer scope provides an opportunity to check the visible condition of the line before the builder’s responsibility ends or the buyer takes ownership.

What If the Sewer Is Too Blocked to Inspect?

Not every serious sewer problem produces a clear or dramatic photograph.

I have encountered sewer lines so obstructed and backed up with water that the camera could not obtain a usable view of the pipe. A sewer camera cannot see through dirty standing water, and forcing the equipment through a substantial obstruction could damage the camera or worsen the condition.

In that situation, the inability to complete the inspection is itself important information. The line may need to be mechanically cleared or cleaned by a qualified plumber or sewer contractor and then reinspected.

Clearing the blockage restores access, but it does not necessarily correct whatever caused the blockage. Roots, damaged piping, heavy scale, an offset joint, a low area, or a foreign object may still be present after the immediate obstruction is removed.

Everything Drains Fine—Do I Still Need a Sewer Scope?

This is one of the most common reasons buyers decline a sewer scope: everything inside the house appears to work normally.

The problem is that a damaged or partially obstructed sewer can still carry water. Wastewater may continue moving around roots, through a narrowed opening, or across a cracked or shifted section of pipe.

Operating the plumbing fixtures for a short period also does not recreate the amount of wastewater produced by a family living in the home every day.

The seller may be completely unaware of a developing issue. The line may have never backed up, or a previous blockage may have been cleared without identifying what caused it.

A sewer scope is intended to identify these hidden conditions before they become the buyer’s problem.

When Is a Sewer Scope Especially Important?

A sewer scope can provide useful information for nearly any property, but it is especially worthwhile when:

• The home is older.

• Mature trees are located near the likely sewer route.

• Clay or cast-iron piping is present.

• There is a history of slow drains or sewer backups.

• Plumbing fixtures drain slowly or make gurgling noises.

• The house has been vacant for an extended period.

• The ground has settled near the sewer route.

• The property has been extensively renovated or flipped.

• The sewer runs beneath a driveway, finished area, landscaping, or another costly obstruction.

• The location or condition of the existing sewer is unknown.

• The home is brand new and the sewer has not yet been proven through normal daily use.

A newer home and PVC piping may reduce certain risks, but neither eliminates the possibility of hidden sewer defects.

What a Sewer Scope Cannot Tell You

A sewer scope is a visual inspection—not a guarantee of future performance. The camera cannot see through heavy deposits, dirty standing water, or a complete obstruction. It also cannot always determine the exact condition of the exterior of the pipe.

If significant damage, standing water, severe corrosion, or another questionable condition is found, I may recommend additional evaluation by a qualified sewer or plumbing contractor.

Depending on the condition, the next step may involve:

• Cleaning or mechanically clearing the line

• Removing tree roots

• Locating the defect from aboveground

• Reinspecting the sewer after cleaning

• Repairing an isolated section

• Replacing a substantially damaged line

Responsibility for sewer-lateral repairs depends on the location of the defect and the rules of the local municipality. Property owners are typically responsible for the portion located on their property, but responsibility between the property line and the municipal sewer main can vary. Depending on the property, the lateral may extend beneath a sidewalk or roadway, or even cross neighboring property through an easement before reaching the main. Buyers should verify the lateral’s route, connection point, applicable easements, and repair responsibility with the local municipality rather than assuming the city will cover any portion outside the yard.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sewer Scopes

Is a sewer scope included in a standard home inspection?

A sewer scope is generally a separate service. A standard home inspection evaluates accessible plumbing components and operates fixtures, but it does not provide a camera view inside the buried sewer lateral.

Can a sewer scope identify a belly or low spot?

Standing water that persists as the camera moves through the line may indicate a low area. However, the exact depth, length, and severity of the low spot may require further evaluation.

Should I get a sewer scope on a new-construction home?

Yes, it can still be valuable. New sewer lines may have improper slope, poor connections, settlement, damage from construction equipment, or hardened construction debris inside them.

Does a sewer scope guarantee that the line will never back up?

No inspection can guarantee future performance. A sewer scope documents the visible condition of the accessible line at the time of inspection and helps identify defects or warning signs that would otherwise remain hidden.

What happens if the camera cannot pass through the line?

The inspection report should document where and why the camera could not continue. Cleaning, clearing, or repairing the sewer and then performing another camera inspection may be necessary to evaluate the remaining line.

A Small Inspection Can Prevent a Major Surprise

Not every sewer problem comes with the same price tag. Clearing debris, cutting out minor root growth, or removing a straightforward obstruction may cost a few hundred dollars. Once the work involves spot repairs, trenchless lining, pipe bursting, excavation, or replacement, however, costs can quickly climb into the thousands.

The most expensive situations typically involve sewer lines that are deeply buried, severely damaged, collapsed, difficult to access, or located beneath a basement floor, driveway, sidewalk, mature landscaping, roadway, or neighboring property. Permits, specialty equipment, excavation, and restoration of everything above the pipe can add substantially to the final bill.

Major sewer lateral repairs can potentially cost tens of thousands of dollars. Repair bills in the $20,000 to $30,000 range are not unheard of when extensive excavation and restoration are required, and exceptionally complicated situations may cost even more.

That is why a sewer scope inspection before purchasing a home can be such a valuable investment. If the line appears to be functioning properly and no significant defects are observed, that provides helpful peace of mind. If a serious problem is discovered, the buyer has an opportunity to obtain additional evaluations and estimates before taking ownership of a sewer line that may require a major repair.

It is far better to understand that risk during the inspection period than to discover it after moving in—especially through a sewage backup or an unexpected excavation project.

Every Sewer Scope Inspection Includes the Video

Every sewer scope inspection I perform is recorded, and my clients receive a copy of the inspection video along with the findings. Clients can share a link to the video directly with plumbers or sewer contractors, allowing them to review the visible condition of the line, better understand the suspected repair needs, and potentially provide preliminary guidance or rough estimates.

A contractor may still need to visit the property, clean the line, locate the defect, or conduct an additional camera inspection before providing a firm quote. However, having the original sewer scope video gives the client and contractor a valuable starting point.

If you are buying a home in Metro Detroit or elsewhere in Southeast Michigan, consider adding a sewer scope to your home inspection. Michigan Inspections serves homebuyers throughout Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Wayne, Lapeer, and Genesee counties.

We can evaluate the home and its sewer line during the same appointment, giving you a clearer picture of what you are buying—both above and below ground.

Michigan Inspections – We’re your MI Guy

Call or text (248) 742-5557 to schedule your home inspection and sewer scope.