In New York City, the sewer line that runs from your house to the city sewer main under the street belongs to you, not the city. If it cracks, collapses or fills with roots, the repair is yours to pay for. When the street or sidewalk has to be opened, that bill can easily reach five figures. A sewer scope inspection is a camera inspection of that line, and it’s the only way to see its condition before you buy.
What Is a Sewer Scope Inspection?
We feed a waterproof camera on a flexible cable through a cleanout, an access opening in the sewer line, and run it toward the street. The camera records the inside of the pipe, and we watch the live picture as it goes. Most scopes take 30 to 60 minutes and are done during your home inspection.
You get the video and a written summary of what we found, with timestamps, so you, your attorney or a plumber can see exactly where any problem is.
Why It Matters More in New York
- You own the line to the street. NYC homeowners are responsible for the sewer service line from the house to the city connection, including the part under the sidewalk and street.
- The pipes are old. Many homes in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island still have their original clay or cast-iron lines, often 70 to 100 years old.
- Street trees. Roots look for water and push into the joints of older pipes. Tree-lined blocks are some of the most common places we find root intrusion.
- Repairs are disruptive. Work in the street needs a licensed master plumber and city permits. It can take weeks and costs far more than a typical plumbing repair.
- Insurance often won’t help. Standard homeowners policies usually don’t cover a worn-out or root-damaged sewer line. Check your policy before you count on it.
What a Sewer Scope Can Find
- Tree root intrusion at joints and cracks, from fine roots to full blockages.
- Cracked, broken or collapsed pipe, common in old clay and cast-iron lines.
- Bellies, low spots where the pipe has sagged and waste collects.
- Offset or separated joints that let in roots, soil and water.
- Corrosion and scaling inside cast-iron pipe that narrows the line.
- Blockages from grease, wipes or debris, and problems at the house trap, the U-shaped fitting most NYC homes have near the front wall of the basement.
- Old pipe materials such as Orangeburg (fiber) pipe, used in some mid-century homes and prone to collapse.
Who Should Get One
We recommend a sewer scope for almost every house purchase in New York City and on public sewer in the suburbs, especially if:
- The home was built before 1980.
- There are large trees in front of the house or in the yard.
- The basement has signs of past backups: stains, odors, a floor drain that gurgles or a fresh patch of concrete.
- The house was vacant, recently flipped or fully renovated. New finishes can hide an old line.
- It’s a two- to four-family home, where more people use the same line.
A sewer scope usually isn’t needed for a co-op or condo apartment, because the building maintains the main lines. For homes on a septic system or cesspool, common on parts of Long Island and in northern Westchester, a septic evaluation by a licensed contractor is the right test instead.
How a Scope Helps You Negotiate
If we find a problem, the video gives you clear proof. Your attorney can use it to ask the seller to repair the line, lower the price or give a credit at closing. A plumber can use the same video to quote the repair before you sign. Finding a five-figure problem for the cost of an add-on inspection is one of the best returns in the whole buying process.
Sewer Scope FAQ
How long does a sewer scope take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes, done during your home inspection.
Do you need access to anything?
We need an accessible cleanout, usually in the basement near the front wall or outside the house. If there isn’t one we can safely open, we’ll tell you before we start.
Can I watch?
Yes. We show you the live picture and point out what we see as we go.
Do you fix sewer lines?
No. We inspect and report. If repairs are needed, we recommend getting quotes from a licensed master plumber.
Book a Sewer Scope With Your Inspection
New York Home Inspections offers sewer scope inspections across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland County. Add it when you schedule your inspection online or call 347-777-7782.
See all of our inspection services.