Why buyers ask for one
The lateral is buried and invisible during a walkthrough, and a vacant house may drain fine simply because no one has been using it. In homes from the 1950s to 1970s with clay or cast-iron laterals and mature trees, problems such as roots, offsets or bellies are common enough that many buyers want the line on camera before closing.
Sellers sometimes order an inspection before listing so there are no surprises in escrow. Either way, the footage and a written summary become part of the conversation between the parties and their agents.
Where it fits in escrow
- Before or at listing
- Seller may order an inspection and share the footage with buyers.
- Inspection period
- Buyer schedules a sewer camera inspection alongside the general home inspection.
- Findings
- The plumber provides footage and a written summary of defects with distances.
- Negotiation
- Parties discuss repair, a credit or no action, guided by their agents.
- Before closing
- If repair is agreed, the buyer may ask for the scope, permit sign-off and after footage.
What the inspection report should include
- Full recording from the access point to the main
- Pipe materials identified along the run
- Each defect with its distance and approximate location
- Whether the camera reached the main
- The plumber's recommendation and the reasoning
- The inspecting contractor's CSLB license number
Example: footage in escrow
Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.
A buyer's camera inspection on an older house finds root intrusion at several clay joints and a short belly near the street.
- The plumber explains which findings need attention and which can be watched.
- The buyer requests written repair options for the full run.
- The parties use the written scope to discuss a repair before closing or a credit.
The decision is made on recorded evidence rather than a guess, and the new owner knows what is in the ground.
Questions for the inspecting plumber
- Can I have the full video, not just still images?
- Which findings are urgent, and which are typical for the age of the house?
- Would you recommend a specific repair method from this footage?
- Is there anything you could not see?
Common questions
Is a sewer inspection part of a standard home inspection?
Usually not. It is typically a separate service by a plumber with camera equipment.
Should the seller or the buyer pay for repairs?
That is a negotiation between the parties, guided by their agents and the contract.
Can I use a seller's footage?
You can review it, but some buyers prefer their own inspection by a contractor they choose.
General information for Whittier, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.