A standard home inspection checks fixtures and visible plumbing, but the lateral under the yard is out of sight. In a neighborhood of post-war tract homes, that line may be original clay or cast iron, and a home that drains fine during a showing can still have roots at every joint or a cracked section waiting to fail.
Many buyers add a sewer camera inspection during the contingency period. It is diagnostic only, but the footage gives buyer and seller something concrete to discuss, instead of a surprise after move-in.
Fitting it into escrow
- Right after acceptance
- Schedule the sewer inspection alongside the general inspection so results arrive within the contingency window.
- Before the visit
- Ask the seller's side where the cleanout is, and whether the line has been cleared, inspected or repaired before.
- During the inspection
- Attend if you can, and ask the inspector to narrate defects and distances as the camera moves.
- After the report
- Review the video and written findings with your agent and decide whether to request repairs or a credit.
- Before closing
- If repairs are made, ask for the permit, invoice and a new camera video showing the finished work.
What a useful pre-purchase report includes
- Full video from the access point to the public connection, or a note where it stopped
- Pipe materials and where they change
- Each defect with its distance from the access point
- Located depth at significant defects
- Photos or stills of the worst findings
- Whether the line was cleared before inspection
Common findings and how buyers often respond
| Finding | Typical buyer response |
|---|---|
| Line in good condition | No action; keep the video for records |
| Light roots at a few joints | Note for future maintenance; sometimes a small credit |
| Offset or cracked section | Request a repair or a credit based on a written quote |
| Belly holding water | Request evaluation and a repair quote |
| Broken or collapsed pipe | Request repair before closing or renegotiate |
Questions to ask the inspector
- Did the camera reach the connection at the street?
- Which defects would you fix now and which would you watch?
- Is the line a candidate for lining, or would it need replacement?
- Can I have the full video file along with the summary?
Common questions
Is a sewer inspection part of a regular home inspection?
Usually not. It is typically ordered separately from a plumber or a specialist with a camera.
What if there is no cleanout?
The inspector may go through a toilet or the roof vent, or note that access was limited. Ask what part of the line was seen.
Should the seller fix it or give a credit?
That is a negotiation for you and your agent. A credit lets you choose the contractor; a seller repair should come with permits and new footage.
General information for La Habra, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.