A sewer lateral scan is an inspection of the lateral sewer lines from the house at or close to the foundation to the city sewer, HOA tap, and/or the septic tank. Sewer lateral scans can help homeowners and homebuyers identify potential problems with their sewer systems. A sewer scope operator uses a camera to view the insides of the sewer lines to determine if there are any cracks, bellying, damages, clogs, or debris.
Save yourself thousands of dollars by getting a sewer lateral scan before buying a house!
Your sewer lateral scan starts by flushing running water into your sewer system. This helps clear out debris and sediment build-up inside the pipes. Next, the camera is pushed down into the pipe, where it records images of the interior of the pipe. These images are sent to the office for review and analysis. If there are any problems found during the inspection, your inspector is able to provide you with recommendations on how to fix those issues.
If you want to know what kinds of problems you might encounter with your plumbing system, here are some things to keep in mind:
Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes are probably the most common cause of water damage. When pipes become old or worn down, they start to crack and break. As soon as cracks appear, water starts seeping out of them. Water leaks can occur anywhere in your house, but they tend to happen at sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, and faucets.
Burst Pipes
Bursting pipes are caused by extreme pressure inside the pipes. Sometimes, the pressure builds up over time due to aging pipes. Other times, burst pipes can develop suddenly after heavy rainfall or flooding. In either case, bursting pipes can lead to serious water damage.
Corrosion
Corrosion occurs when metal parts corrode. Corrosion occurs when metal parts come into contact with water and oxygen. Over time, rust develops on the surface of metal pipes. Once rusted, pipes cannot hold their shape properly and may begin to leak.
Damaged Joints
The damaged joint is a term used to describe cracked or loose pipe fittings. These fittings connect two pieces of piping together. Loose fittings allow water to flow freely between the connected pipes. Cracked fittings prevent water from flowing smoothly and create gaps where water can escape.
Faulty Connections
Faulty connections are the weakest link in your plumbing system. Aging pipes are usually the first things to crack. Faulty connections can be easily identified by looking closely at the ends of pipes. Broken pipes can also be repaired, but only by a qualified plumber.
Clogs
Clogs are small obstructions that block the flow of water. They can be anything from hair to food particles to tree roots. Clogs can build up over time and eventually stop water from draining completely. To fix clogs, you need to remove them manually or use a plunger.
Musselman Home Inspection serves Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh and Montgomery County. Our inspectors are certified to perform the Pre-Listing Home Inspection, Pre-Purchase Home Inspection, Buyer Inspection, Radon Testing, Mold Inspection, Termite (WDI) Inspection, Water Quality Testing, Septic System Inspection, New Construction Home Inspection, Pre-Drywall Inspection, and Pre-Close Inspection.
