What-Is-A-Sewer-Inspection

What Is A Sewer Inspection?


Your home’s sewers need care just like the other parts of your home. However, many homeowners don’t know much about their sewers or how to tell when they have sewer problems. These frequently asked questions are designed to clear the air about your sewers so you’ll know what a sewer inspection is and why you should get a sewer inspection.

What is a sewer inspection?

This is an inspection done by a camera attached to a snake line. The video camera records the state of the sewer, revealing any cracks, tree roots, collapsed lines, clogs and other problems inside the sewer.

When should I get a sewer inspection?

Many people get sewer inspections when they’re serious about buying a new home. It’s a good idea to get a sewer inspection done if your home is showing signs of a sewer backup or if your home has had sewer clogs in the past and you’d like to know how your sewer is doing.

Why are sewer inspections important?

Sewer problems are not always obvious. Just because the toilets in a house can flush and the sink drains doesn’t mean that the sewer  is in good condition. Sewer inspections can reveal unknown problems in the home’s sewers before they cause big damage or become severe.

How much do sewer inspections cost?

Sewer inspections can vary a lot in cost depending on the area, the plumber and the sewer, however, a typical price may be between $250 and $500. If you pay for a sewer inspection and line clearing or other work at the same time, you may be able to get a better deal on the inspection.

Can you tell if your home has sewer problems without getting an inspection?

If your home has serious sewer problems, like a clog, you may see signs before the backup becomes severe. For example, you may notice that all the plumbing fixtures in your home have started to drain slowly. You may also notice that flushing the toilet may cause a backup in another nearby fixture, like the bathtub. These are unmistakable signs of a sewer problem and should be addressed immediately.

If your home smells like sewer gas, does that mean that you have a sewer problem?

Unless the sewer gas smell is coming from sewer water that backed up into your home’s drains, the sewer gas smell is probably not an indication of a sewer problem. The common reasons for a sewer gas smell include:

  • Dried up P-Trap
  • Vent leak
  • Deteriorated toilet wax ring

Most of these issues are easy and inexpensive to fix. We wrote an article about this issue a while ago. If your home has filled up with a sewer gas smell, take a look at our post for more information about this problem.

Who can you call for a sewer inspection?

Ghostbusters! Kidding. If you live in the Pittsburgh area, call Terry’s Plumbing at (412) 364-9114. We do sewer inspections, and we’re happy to help you find out whether or not your home’s sewers are in need of clearing or repair.