Three Most Common Sewer Scope Inspection Finds
There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding sewer scope inspections. In this article, we are going to break down the three most common finds during a sewer scope inspection so as to familiarize you with what you are most likely to encounter.
The first most common find during a sewer scope inspection is tree roots. Nature is unpredictable, and sometimes a home’s sewer system is installed right in the way of a growing tree root. Tree roots are stubborn, incredibly strong, and can easily crush or offset a pipe, subsequently a host of issues in the home’s sewer system. Sometimes the culprit of this problem is a tree unintentionally planted right above the sewer line somewhere in the yard, as most people aren’t thinking about where their sewer line is when they’re planting a new tree.
The next most common find during a sewer scope inspection is unseen damage. This includes cracking and even pipe collapse! It’s common to see cracks in clay and cast iron lines especially. If the pressure on the pipe is too high it can cause hairline cracks around fittings and other weakened areas. A full blown pipe collapse is uncommon, but is usually seen on neglected sewer and can have a long list of potential causes. In most cases, a collapsed pipe will need to be replaced, and will definitely obstruct any attempt to inspect further down the line.
Last on our list are offset pipes and clogs. An offset pipe is where two sections of pipe are supposed to meet, but they do not line up correctly. A change in the surrounding environment is usually to blame for this problem, and can range from root growth to settlement in the surrounding dirt. Rarely, a botched installation job is the culprit. A clog is commonly either due to a buildup of grease thanks to the increasing popularity of garbage disposals, or because of a low area in the pipe that allows debris to collect until it interferes with the flow.
Everything considered, there are a lot of problems that can be brought to light with a sewer scope inspection. Some of these potential problems are harmless if small, but just as many have the potential to be a very costly surprise for a new home owner. Your new home may not have anything wrong with the sewer system, but a sewer scope inspection will give you the peace of mind you deserve by giving you all of the information you need to make a well informed decision. Better safe than sorry! It is recommended that a sewer line get scoped if the home is 20 years old or older.
The Habitation Investigation home inspection company provides home inspections, mold testing, radon testing, and other environmental testing in the Central Ohio areas such as Columbus Ohio, Springfield, Hilliard, Powell, Pickerington, Pataskala, New Albany, Delaware, Gahanna, Westerville, Galloway, Grove City, Worthington, Dublin, Marysville, London, West Jefferson, Mechanicsburg. Dayton Ohio home inspection areas include Beavercreek, Enon, Centerville, Northern areas of Cincinnati.
Article by Kaitlyn Troth of Troth Media
Habitation Investigation is one of the best and most reviewed Home inspection companies in Ohio. The website is https://homeinspectionsinohio.com/
