Sewer Scope Inspections in Orlando & Central Florida
A video inspection of the lateral sewer line running from the house at or near the foundation, out to the city or HOA tap or septic tank. Find the problem before it becomes an emergency.
- Full Video Inspection
- Distance Counter
- Above-Ground Locating
- Sewer System Map Included
What Is a Sewer Scope Inspection?
A sewer scope is a video inspection of the lateral sewer line leading from the house at or near the foundation and connecting to the city or HOA tap, or to the septic tank.
A camera is inserted into a sewer cleanout or roof vent and run through the entire sewer system to view any deficiencies or potential issues. The camera has a distance counter, so we can determine the exact distance to any unknown clean-outs and to every deficiency found.
Alongside the distance counter we use a locating device that scans above ground and pinpoints the exact position of the camera head — so a repair crew knows precisely where to dig.
An entire sewer system map is included in the report.
Note: A sewer scope is not a septic inspection, which is what FHA and VA loans typically require.
Sewer Scope Inspection Video
See what the camera sees. This walkthrough shows why a sewer scope matters before you buy.
Who Needs a Sewer Scope?
The Eastern US is older than the Western US and has less infrastructure in suburban areas, which means most older homes built in the East are on a septic system.
“I’m on city sewage, not septic — do I need a sewer scope?”
Yes. A sewer scope is an interior pipe inspection from the home to the septic or to the city sewer connection. Even on city sewage, the lateral pipe running from the house to the tap is yours.
“The line isn’t backed up or clogged — why would I need one?”
A sewer scope is designed to find an issue before it becomes an emergency. Once a line is backed up, you are already paying for a crisis instead of planning a repair.
“The current owner has no issues. Why bother?”
Change in the dynamics of the home. A properly functioning sewer line should handle the full drain capacity a home can produce — washing machine, dishwasher, showers and toilets running together. A retired couple and a family of six place very different demands on the same pipe.
Pipe Types Found in Residential Homes
Orangeburg
1860s – 1970s. Made from wood pulp and tar. Prone to cracks, delamination and collapse due to deterioration.
Clay
1800s – 1970s. Porous and brittle, prone to leaks and breaks.
PVC
1970s – present. Nearly 50 years in service and the best material for sewer lines to date — though not immune to damage.
What part of the sewer line am I responsible for?
The homeowner is responsible for the sewer line on their property. If the system connects to city sewer, the city is not responsible for the portion on your land.
Common Deficiencies — and the Fix
Grease Build-Up
The most common cause of build-up in a sewer line is cooking grease. It sticks to the pipe walls and accumulates until it forms a blockage.
The fix: sewer jetting — a high-pressure water line run through the entire system to clear it out.
Root Intrusion
Very common where a sewer line sits near a root-invasive plant or tree. Roots penetrate the pipe wall, damaging the pipe and forming a blockage.
The fix: a drain cleaning machine with a root-cutting attachment. The line flows again immediately afterward.
Offsets
Offsets occur where two pipes are joined. The connection breaks and one pipe is no longer in line with the next, forming a step that catches waste.
Cracks
Cracks can appear in any sewer line. They leak water into the ground and encourage root penetration — once roots grow in, a blockage and a sewage backup follow.
Belly Sags
Less common than the others but just as serious. A section of pipe settles and retains water, so waste collects in the low point instead of flowing through.
All deficiencies found during a sewer scope are repairable — some more costly than others. Offsets, cracks and belly sags all require sewer line replacement, which usually means excavation equipment to dig up and replace the defective section.
This is exactly why a sewer scope matters before you buy. Know the condition of the line beforehand and avoid inheriting a costly repair.
Common Questions
I'm on city sewer, not septic — do I still need a sewer scope?
Yes. A sewer scope is an interior pipe inspection from the home to the septic tank or to the city sewer connection. Even on city sewage, the lateral pipe running across your property is your responsibility.
Is a sewer scope the same as a septic inspection?
No. A sewer scope is a video inspection of the lateral line. A septic inspection is a different service, and that is what FHA and VA loans typically require.
How much does a sewer scope cost?
$395 stand-alone, or $250 when added to a home inspection. See full pricing.
What part of the sewer line am I responsible for?
The homeowner is responsible for the sewer line on their property. If the system connects to city sewer, the city is not responsible for the portion running across your land.
What problems do you typically find?
Grease build-up, root intrusion, offsets, cracks and belly sags. Grease and roots can usually be cleared with jetting or a root-cutting drain machine. Offsets, cracks and belly sags require replacing the defective section of line, which typically means excavation.
The line works fine right now — why scope it?
A sewer scope is designed to find an issue before it becomes an emergency. A line can be functioning today and still be one household’s worth of extra demand away from failing — a family of six places very different load on a pipe than the couple who lived there before.
Sewer Scope Inspections Across Central Florida
We perform sewer scope inspections throughout Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Celebration, Winter Park and Sanford — up through Daytona Beach and DeLand — and all along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Merritt Island and Titusville. Serving Orange, Osceola, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Seminole and Polk counties.