Why buyers should look underground
Much of Fullerton's housing was built in the decades after the war, often as slab-on-grade tract homes with cast-iron drains under the floor and clay or cast-iron laterals to the street. Many of those lines are still in service. They can work well for years, or they can be one root season away from a backup, and nothing visible in the house tells you which.
The sewer lateral is easy to overlook during escrow because it is buried and out of sight. A camera inspection is the usual way to see it, and the time to find out is before the purchase rather than after the first backup.
Walk-through checks
- Find the outdoor cleanout; note if there is none
- Look for large trees between the house and the street
- Run every sink and tub for a minute and flush each toilet
- Watch the lowest tub or shower while other fixtures run
- Look for patched concrete or new sod along the sewer path, which can hint at past repairs
- Note exposed drain pipe material in the garage or under sinks
Questions for the seller
- Has the main line or lateral ever backed up?
- Has the sewer line been cleaned, inspected, lined or replaced? Are there records?
- Were any repairs done with a permit?
- Are there any known slab leaks or drain repairs under the floor?
- Is there camera footage from a past inspection?
Getting a sewer camera inspection during escrow
- Schedule early.Book the inspection early in the contingency period so there is time to act on the results.
- Use a licensed contractor.Check the license at cslb.ca.gov.
- Get the footage.Ask for the video with distances to any defects and a written summary.
- Discuss findings.Talk with your agent about how any defects affect the purchase, and get a written repair estimate if needed.
What findings typically lead to
| Finding | Common next step |
|---|---|
| Clean line, no defects | File the footage with your records |
| Light root intrusion at a few joints | Cleaning and monitoring; plan for future repair |
| Heavy roots, cracks or offsets | Written repair estimates before closing |
| Sag holding water | Repair estimate; lining usually will not correct slope |
| Collapsed or broken section | Repair estimate and a conversation with your agent |
Common questions
Does a standard home inspection cover the sewer?
Usually not the buried lateral. Many inspectors recommend a separate sewer camera inspection for older homes.
Is a newer home exempt from this?
Newer homes usually have plastic lines and fewer problems, but a camera inspection can still find construction debris or damage.
Who pays for the inspection?
Usually the buyer, as part of their due diligence. Discuss it with your agent.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.