Everyone can agree plumbing issues suck. Typically, they are disgusting, costly, and always happen at the worst times. So, if you are wondering about sewer scope inspection (sewer camera inspection) cost, kudos to you! You are on the right track. Investing a little money at the beginning can save you thousands (and many sleepless nights) in the end. It is also advisable to have a sewer camera inspection done before purchasing a house.
However, the sewer inspection costs may seem confusing at first. In fact, the costs to inspect a sewer can vary widely based on the area of the country you live in, the overall length of your sewer line, and of course, the accessibility of your sewer pipes. If you are becoming overwrought and overthinking, just take a breath; I will guide you through everything you need to know and how to stay sane!
What Is a Sewer Scope Inspection?
What is a sewer scope inspection? The short answer is simple, it is an inspection where an inspector snakes a flexible camera (or borescope) through your sewer line. The camera will provide live video footage from the plumbing line to the inspector, to see if there are any cracks, clogs, breaks, leaks, and other plumbing surprises lurking in your plumbing lines. These modern cameras provide HD videos and images.
A sewer scope inspection is neither long or hard- it usually takes about 30-minutes to 2-hours for most homes to complete. That said, it is an important inspection for your plumbing system, especially for older homes, or homes that have known plumbing drain issues. Sewer scope inspections are preventative maintenance- like going to the doctor for your annual health check-up- we want to catch small issues before they turn into big problems!
Now that you know what a sewer scope inspection is, let’s talk about the cost associated with a sewer scope inspection.
How Much Does a Sewer Scope Inspection Cost?
Sewer scope inspections typically cost between $250 and $1,200, with a national average closer to $300–$700.
Rare cases may cost up to $6,000 for extensive work. This is usually related to additional services (e.g., pipe clearing, repairs, or excavation), not just the inspection itself, or if a public or city sewer needs the inspection.
Factors That Influence Sewer Scope Inspection Costs
Now we will get into the nitty gritty. Sewer inspection costs are more than just a camera and the guy behind it. There are a couple of points to consider:
- Accessibility
If you have an above ground clean out access, then you are in luck! That allows the inspector to easily access the sewer line, and therefore will cost less for the inspection. But if you have no clean-out, or it may be obstructed, then the plumber might have to remove a toilet, and THAT will cost you.
- Length
Longer sewer lines take longer to inspect. So if you have a long line because you own a big property or you have a tough plumbing system to deal with, expect you will pay more.
- Service Packages
Some companies will package inspection, cleaning, and minor repairs into one package. So, look to see if you can save in total cost by packaging inspection with a service, even if it costs you a little more upfront. In some cases, you will need to clean your sewer via snaking before the camera can be inserted.
- Local Cost of Living
Let’s face it, we are not talking about the same labor costs from place to place. So if you live in an expensive place like Los Angeles, the sewer inspection is a bit more expensive than in other places. Likewise, if you live in a very remote area, the costs can be higher due to the travel time.
Signs You Need a Sewer Scope Inspection
How do you know if you need a sewer scope inspection? The answer is up to your situation, but consideration of the following signs may help:
- Recurring backups:If you have continuous backups every so often, it is advisable to do a camera inspection to verify the integrity of your drain pipes.
- If you are purchasing a home: Better to know about a sewer problem before you close on the deal. Once you buy the home, you also buy the sewer problem.
- As a way to check the “before-and-after” effectiveness of a sewer snaking:A sewer scope (camera inspection) is a great way to verify the effectiveness of the snaking by comparing it to the camera inspection done before the cleaning was performed.
- Slow drains: If you have one slow sink, okay, if you have multiple slow drains, that is a more serious issue with your sewer line.
- Water Backups: Water backs up in almost every bathroom fixture (sinks, bathtubs, toilets), and is arguably the most iconic indicator of sewer issues.
- Unexplained Health Issues: Another serious sign that you may be experiencing sewer gas exposure is if you are experiencing unexplained health issues like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and more. These symptoms are rare and typically occur in severe cases.
- Lush Grass: That lush patch of grass or part of the yard that is noticeably more green? It is possible that patch could be fertilized from a sewer leak into your yard.
- Tree roots: Large trees growing near your house can cause major problems with your sewer lines. Large tree roots can grow into the pipe itself causing blockage in your drain line.
- Older homes: If you live in a home built prior to 1970, your clay pipes are really easy to damage and degrade.
Benefits of Sewer Scope Inspections
But if all is working fine, why schedule an inspection? Scheduling an inspection, or even routine sewer scope inspections, should be a good investment.
- Avoid costly repairs: Sewer inspections can prevent costly repairs, which range from $1,000 for a very minor repair, to $15,000 or more.
- Preserve home value: It will be way more beneficial for you when you buy or sell a home with a clean sewer line.
- Health Safety: When you have broken sewage pipes results will sometimes be mold, sewage leaking, sewer gas exposure or smells impacting the health of your family.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing the condition of your sewer line can give you peace of mind and eliminate potential concerns.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional: Which is best?
If you’re a bit of a handy man, you may be thinking, “I can do my own sewer inspection.” To be honest, it’s not totally impossible, but it’s not exactly easy, either.
DIY Sewer Inspections
Renting a sewer camera costs $100–$300 per day, and buying one ranges from $200 to $10,000. Then, there is a learning curve. You could easily miss a key problem, such as a crack or root intrusion, if you are not careful. And chances are most homeowners do not have the experience to notice relatively subtle issues (micro-cracks or hidden root intrusion), even with expensive equipment! On the other hand, an inexperienced person can mistake a minor issue for a major one, and needlessly have repair work done.
Hiring a Professional
This is where the professionals come in. They may have the experience, the right tools, the equipment and the training to perform the inspection quickly, efficiently, accurately, and they will be on the lookout for problems. Sure, this will cost you money in the short run. But it will definitely be worth it when you avoid many costly errors.
Tips to Save Money
Nobody likes spending money on plumbing, but there are ways to save some money. Here are a few tips you can save in costs.
- Bundle Services: Several companies offer discounts if you combine sewer scopes with other services (toilet unclogs, drain cleanings, pipe repairs, etc.).
- Get Competitive Bids: It’s amazing how much you can save simply by asking several contractors for quotes on a sewer scope. The price difference is eye-opening!
- Look Into Home Warranty Scope Coverage. If you have a home warranty, your sewer scope inspection may be covered!
Typical Sewer Scope Inspection Add-On State
Sometimes an inspection is just the start…here are a few things to consider as common add-ons, and cost averages:
- Drain Cleaning: $150–$350
- Spot Sewer Line Repairs: $1,300–$15,000 (it all depends on where the defect is located, and where your property is located)
- Object Retrieval: $75–$275
- Root Removal: $600
Once the plumber sees what the pipes look like, he or she can provide recommendations on what is most appropriate.
Conclusion
Sewer scope inspections aren’t pretty, but they’re one of the best investments you can make in a home. If you have slow drains, buying an old home, or just being proactive: it’s worth understanding what’s going on in those pipes!
Keep in mind the cost of a sewer scope inspection is minimal compared to the cost of doing nothing. Don’t wait for an emergency to have a sewer scope inspection. You don’t want to wait to see what if anything is going on there when sewer back-ups occur. Schedule your inspection so you can keep the plumbing in your home working in tip top shape and your future self will thank you!
