The Importance of Sewer Scopes
Because the vast majority of sewer systems are located underground, they can be overlooked during a home inspection. Many inspectors don’t have the specialized knowledge or equipment to do a proper sewer line inspection. However, sewer line repairs could end up costing thousands, if not tens of thousands to repair. Security Home Inspections is the company that homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate agents have trusted since 1984 with their essential assessment needs. Contact us today at (800) 878-1744 or (317) 848-1744 to schedule an appointment with a licensed, professional home inspector.
What Are The Typical Problems Found?
Tree roots are often the cause of blocked sewer lines. They can force their way through the smallest cracks and grow quickly, blocking the line. Roots are easy to spot with a sewer scope and can be augured out for a minimal cost. Cracks and detachment can also occur, usually from settling, inferior pipe materials, or just poor installation.
What Are The Costs?
Costs vary dramatically depending on the problem. Simple snaking to clear a clog is relatively inexpensive, while hydro jetting and scoping can costs hundreds of dollars. Depth, length, grade level improvements (driveways and roads), and severity of damage all impact the cost of repairs. A shallow repair of a small section can be completed for around a thousand dollars, while replacement of the sewer line can run upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. It’s very important to consult a sewer line specialist to determine actual cost of repairs.
Who Is Responsible For The Costs?
Depending on the location of the problem, the repairs are usually the responsibility of the property owner up to the connection to the utility’s sewer main. Often, repair of a sewer line that runs under improvements such as sidewalks and roads will require the homeowner to address repairs to these improvements as well. This is why it’s so important to have a sewer scope completed as part of your home inspection.
When Should You Have A Sewer Scope?
We recommend sewer scopes on all properties that have a sewer line.
Our High Quality Cameras
- 1/3 inch Sony CCD camera, 120° wide vision angle
- Stainless steel camera head, IP68 waterproof level
- Sapphire glass lens cover, 12 high power LEDs
- Self-leveling camera head design to keep the image stabilized
- 115′ inspection distance
- Ability to go through 90°bends
- With on-screen distance counter
- 720P HD quality video
Home Inspection Questions?
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Our Additional Home Inspection Options
Security Home Inspections believes that our customers should have every bit of information necessary to make a wise, informed decision. Every home is unique and every customer is different. So, we offer many additional services (including some that most competitors don’t offer) to bring peace of mind when it comes to the home you’re considering. To ensure that you are fully aware of your current or prospective property’s condition, we provide the following additional home inspection services:
- Certified Wood Destroying Pest Inspections: All of our Indianapolis home inspectors are licensed to perform WDI (Wood Destroying Insect) inspections. These typically include termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and powder post beetles.
- Radon Testing: Indiana ranks in the top ten states for the number of homes with elevated levels of radon gas. All of our home inspectors are state certified to test for radon gas. We are also an approved radon lab. The EPA recommends all homes be tested for radon and then remediated if results are 4.0 PC/L or above.
- Mold Inspections: When you order mold inspection services from Security Home Inspections, we offer a visual inspection of the property for mold and its ideal growing conditions. Moisture testing is performed around all windows, doors, and toilets, and air testing is performed on each level of the home along with a sample from outdoors to create a baseline. Our mold testing services provide a comprehensive approach that is designed to give you peace of mind.
- Well and Septic Tank Inspections: Well and septic systems have unique components and are not covered by most home inspections. We offer these inspections and highly recommend they be included if the home you are buying has either. The septic system inspection includes a dye test.
- Water Testing: Water testing is typically performed if the water is supplied by a well. While there are many types of tests, the most common are Ecoli/Total Fecal, Lead, and Nitrates/Nitrites. If you are financing a home through HUD (VA and FHA), a water test may be required. If not, it is still highly recommended.
- Well Chlorination: It is not uncommon for bacteria to be present in water samples from wells, especially if the home has been vacant. Typically the solution is to “chlorinate” the well. The process involves putting chlorine or bromine in the well and not using the water for 24 hours. This works 99% of the time, but some wells need treatment systems installed that treat the water on a constant basis.
- Pools and Spa Inspections: Security Home Inspections offers pool and spa inspections. The pool and/or spa must be “open” to inspect them. Follow along with the pool inspector and pick up some valuable some tips if this will be your first experience.
- Irrigation System Inspections: Irrigation systems can make your yard look great if they are working properly. A sprinkler head that delivers water against the house or waters the road can be harmful and/or wasteful. Since systems must be winterized during cold months, this service is only available when the system is active.
- Winterization and De-Winterization Services: Homes that are vacant during winter can have frozen pipes within 24 hours of a furnace failure. Our winterization services remove the water from the pipes and protect the drain lines with anti-freeze. We guarantee your home from frozen and split pipes and the damage that can result. This guarantee is valid as long as we de-winterize.
- Roofing Inspections: In addition to a standard inspection, a roof inspection can be performed to better discern if sections of a roof have been damaged by water, before the entire roof is compromised.
- New Construction: Building a new home in Indianapolis or a surrounding community? Our three-phase new construction inspection can ensure that the home is being built safely and correctly.
- Sewer Scope: Because the vast majority of sewer systems are located underground, they can be overlooked during a home inspection. However, sewer line repairs could end up costing thousands, if not tens of thousands to repair. Many inspectors don’t have the specialized knowledge or equipment to do a proper sewer line inspection, but we do.
At Security Home Inspections, our licensed home inspectors are happy to assist you in every aspect of the home inspection process — from the essential electrical and plumbing assessments to any extra services like radon testing as well as mold testing and inspection. We understand the importance of having all the necessary resources to make a confident decision. Contact us today at (800) 878-1744 or (317) 848-1744 for more information about us, or read our customer reviews. For commercial property inspections in Indianapolis, Lafayette, IN, and beyond, see Parthenon Commercial Corp.
