Most homeowners never think about the pipe that carries everything from the house to the city sewer. On this Phoenix-area sewer scan, the camera showed exactly why it’s worth a look before you buy.
What the camera found
This home has two cleanouts in the backyard. One line runs under the house and the other runs out to the city connection. I ran a little water in the kitchen sink for flow and sent the camera both directions.
- Heavy grease buildup along the bottom of the pipe, enough that the camera head was pushing it along.
- The connections under the house and up to the roof vent lined up well.
- Near the back fence, where the newer ABS pipe transitions to the original clay pipe, there’s a large gap between the two. I located it from above ground, just a couple of feet from the fence.
- The city connection is about 43 feet out, between this property and the neighbor to the north.
What happens next
The line needs hydro-jetting to clear out the grease, then a second look to make sure nothing else is hiding underneath it. The gap at the clay transition should be evaluated by a licensed plumber, since a joint like that can leak and let roots in over time.
This is why I locate problems from above ground on every sewer cam scan. When it’s time for repairs, the plumber knows exactly where to dig instead of guessing.
Watch the full scan
See the camera footage in the video above, or watch it on YouTube. A sewer cam scan is $200 when you add it to a home inspection. Book online or call 623-399-0079.
Property Inspections Plus is a Gilbert, AZ home inspection company led by Certified Master Inspector Dan Pierce. We inspect homes across the East Valley, the Phoenix metro and the rest of Arizona. See all of our service areas.
