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Quasar Home Inspections
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    • Home
    • Inspection Services
      • 360 Virtual Tours
      • Residential Inspection
      • Commercial Inspection
      • Sewer Scope Inspection
      • Mold/Air Quality Testing
      • Radon Testing
      • Pool Inspection
      • Crawlspace Inspection
      • Termite (WDO) Inspection
      • Infrared Thermal Imaging
      • Lawn Sprinkler Inspection
    • Book Now
    • More
      • Homebuyer Resources
      • Inspection Information
      • Home Seller's Checklist
      • Certifications
      • FAQ
      • Giving Back

(575) 763-0001


  • Home
  • Inspection Services
    • 360 Virtual Tours
    • Residential Inspection
    • Commercial Inspection
    • Sewer Scope Inspection
    • Mold/Air Quality Testing
    • Radon Testing
    • Pool Inspection
    • Crawlspace Inspection
    • Termite (WDO) Inspection
    • Infrared Thermal Imaging
    • Lawn Sprinkler Inspection
  • Book Now
  • More
    • Homebuyer Resources
    • Inspection Information
    • Home Seller's Checklist
    • Certifications
    • FAQ
    • Giving Back

What is a Sewer Scope Inspection?

A sewer scope inspection uses a video attached to a snake-like cable to examine the home’s sewer line. This privately-owned pipeline leads from the house to the publicly owned main sewer line or septic tank. Sewer scope inspection can reveal damage to the pipes, blockages, and other problems. It also can spot potential problem areas before they develop into serious issues or hazards. After the inspection, clients will receive a report with video, findings and recommendations. This allows homeowners, home buyers, and home sellers to act before extensive damage, health issues, or expensive repairs. 

Do I Need a Sewer Scope Inspection?

If you’re buying a home, it’s a good idea to have a sewer scope inspection. Even if you’re not buying a home, having sewer scope inspections done every few years is also a good idea to ensure your sewer pipe is in good condition. A few indications that you probably need a sewer scope inspection include: 

There are large trees growing near sewer line

One of the most common causes of sewer pipe damage is the growth of roots around the pipe. Roots can grow around and constrict the pipe, breaking it, or grow into small cracks in the pipe, clogging it or causing leaks. 

You’re buying or living in an older home

Homes built before 1984 may have clay sewer pipes, which can be easily crushed or damaged. These typically must be replaced, or at least inspected to ensure that they are in good condition. 

You notice extremely lush patches of grass near the sewer line

This is a common sign of a septic or sewer leak. Given its contents, sewer water is actually a powerful fertilizer that can help encourage plant growth. If you see a suspiciously healthy-looking area of the yard, especially if the rest of the lawn seems to be less lush or green, you should be suspicious. 

There’s water backing up inside the house

This could indicate damage or breakage to the sewer line, or a significant clog. 

Even if you don’t see any of these above issues, we would still recommend a sewer scope inspection. More minor issues with the sewer line may have few or no symptoms at all – but still cost thousands to repair. 

Sewer Scope Standards of Practice

1. Definitions and Scope

1.1.  A sewer scope inspection is a video inspection of the lateral sewer line (referred to by plumbing codes as the “building sewer”) from the house at or near the foundation to the municipality’s or HOA’s tap or septic tank, performed for a fee.  The purpose of a sewer scope is to discover and report defects that are visible in the lateral sewer line that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector, as defined by these Standards; the scope will typically also identify the material used for the lateral sewer line. The scope of work may be modified by the Client and Inspector prior to the inspection process.

1.2.  A material defect is a specific issue with a system or component of a residential property that may have a significant, adverse impact on the value of the property, or that poses an unreasonable risk to people.  The fact that a system or component is near, at, or beyond the end of its normal, useful life is not, in itself, a material defect.

1.3.  A sewer scope inspection report shall identify, in written format, defects within the system and components defined by these Standards that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector. Inspection reports may include additional comments and recommendations.

The sewer scope inspection report will outline and define the portions of the sewer line that were inspected and indicate any areas that were not inspected, the reason they were not inspected, and general statements of what is commonly included and excluded during the sewer scope inspection.
 

2. Limitations, Exceptions & Exclusions

2.1.  Limitations

  1. A sewer scope inspection is not technically exhaustive.
  2. A sewer scope inspection will not identify concealed or latent defects. 
  3. This Standards of Practice applies to properties with four or fewer residential units.

2.2.   Exceptions

  1. The sewer scope inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions.
  2. The sewer scope inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.

2.3.  Exclusions 

The inspector is not required to:

  1. remove or pull toilets to access the main or lateral sewer line.
  2. move any personal items or other obstructions, such as, but not limited to:  throw rugs, carpeting, wall coverings, boxes, furniture, ceiling tiles, window coverings, equipment, plants, ice, debris, snow, or anything else that might restrict the sewer scope inspection.
  3. climb a roof to access a sewer vent pipe if deemed unsafe by the inspector.
  4. enter or access any area or do anything that may, in the inspector's opinion, be unsafe or dangerous to him/herself or others, or damage property.
  5. enter crawlspaces or other areas that may be unsafe or not readily accessible.
  6. locate and/or mark any defect observed in the sewer scope video.
  7. provide the length of the main or lateral sewer line to the municipality’s or HOA’s tap or septic tank.
  8. scope or inspect underfloor or in-house portions of the building drain or sewer system.
  9. give correction, replacement or repair cost estimates.
     

3. Standards of Practice 

3.1. Sewer Scope Inspection

1. The sewer scope inspector will inspect and video-record:

  1. the main or exterior lateral sewer line from a proper cleanout or roof vent stack;
  2. record the entire video and provide the video to the client as either an online link or a physical copy;
  3. document any and all defects observed in the video inspection; and
  4. if a cleanout is not visible or accessible, the inspector will note that in the report.

2. When possible, the sewer scope inspector shall describe:

  1. the type of lateral sewer line or pipe materials.

3. The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

  1. the presence of visible cracks;
  2. the presence of any observed plant or tree root intrusion;
  3. the presence of any offset over ¼-inch;
  4. the presence of over 1 inch of standing water;
  5. the presence of a blockage or restriction;
  6. the presence of a crushed line or pipe;
  7. the presence of a broken line or pipe;
  8. the presence of a separated or disconnected line or pipe;
  9. the presence of excessive rust or scale;
  10. the presence of an excessive amount of grease;
  11. the presence of deteriorated concrete;
  12. the presence of an egg-shaped line;
  13. the presence of a collapsed line or pipe; and
  14. the presence of delamination or deterioration. 

4. The inspector is not required to:

  1. identify the presence of Orangeburg or Bermico (bituminous fiber pipe).
  2. identify the presence of asbestos cement or Transite pipe. 

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Quasar Home Inspections, Clovis, New Mexico