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Here’s What Every Home Buyer and Real Estate Agent Should Know About Sewer Camera Inspections 

Do Not Skip the Sewer Camera Inspection

As a plumbing company owner with more than two decades of experience, there is one piece of advice I wish every home buyer would hear before closing on a home: Don’t skip the sewer camera inspection. I know. It isn’t the most exciting part of buying a home. It isn’t as visible as a new roof, a beautiful kitchen, or upgraded flooring. In fact, most buyers never think about the sewer line at all.  The problem is that the sewer line is one of the most expensive plumbing systems on a property, and it’s completely hidden underground. 

At Robins Plumbing, we’ve seen buyers move into what appeared to be their dream home only to discover a major sewer issue weeks or months later. In many cases, the problem existed long before they purchased the property. Unfortunately, because no sewer camera inspection was performed during the inspection period, the issue became their responsibility the moment they closed.

In just the last 30 days we’ve had 3 clients in the middle of the night have flooding due to a stoppage in their new home.  It’s heartbreaking and hard to be a part of when you see a family who just spent everything they have to get a new home and they think they are safe, and then, they aren’t. Sewage all over the home, the panic and frustration.  We don’t see vacations for a living we solve emergency plumbing issues and this is happening too often.   

Why Are Sewer Camera Inspections

This is why I am so passionate about educating both home buyers and Realtors about the importance of sewer camera inspections. One of the biggest misconceptions in real estate is that if all the plumbing fixtures appear to be working, the sewer line must be fine. That simply isn’t true. 

A toilet can flush perfectly. The sinks can drain. The showers can work exactly as they should. Meanwhile, the sewer line underground could have root intrusion, cracks, offsets, corrosion, bellies, or even sections that are beginning to collapse. Many of these problems don’t create noticeable symptoms until the damage becomes severe. By the time a homeowner experiences frequent backups or sewer odors, they may already be facing a repair bill that costs thousands of dollars. 

Another Common Misunderstanding is That a Standard Home Inspection Evaluates the Sewer System 

Most home inspections do an excellent job inspecting visible and accessible components of the home, but they typically do not include a camera inspection of the underground sewer line. A home inspector cannot see inside a buried sewer pipe without specialized equipment. A sewer camera inspection allows a plumbing professional to visually inspect the condition of the sewer line from the home to the city connection. This can reveal hidden issues before they become expensive surprises. 

Some of the most common problems we discover during sewer camera inspections include: 

• Tree root intrusion 

• Cracked or broken sewer lines 

• Offset pipe joints 

• Bellies or low spots that collect waste and debris 

• Corroded cast iron piping 

• Deteriorated Orangeburg piping 

• Previous improper repairs 

• Partial or complete pipe collapses 

Many of these conditions can exist even when the home’s plumbing appears to be functioning normally. I want to be clear that this article is not intended to criticize Realtors. Most Realtors genuinely want what is best for their clients and work hard to guid

e buyers through a stressful process. 

However, sewer camera inspections are sometimes dismissed as optional or unnecessary because the home is not currently experiencing a backup. Or the realtor doesn’t have enough experience to know that the camera inspection is important. Worse, in my almost 30 years I’ve seen several experienced realtors sway away from camera inspections because they can lead to their buyer choosing another home.  

We had a home last week that we did a camera inspection on and the real estate transaction fell through because the sewer and drain lines needed more than $40,000.00 in repairs.  Wouldn’t you want to know that before buying a home?  

The Reality is that Sewer Problems Often Don’t Announce Themselves Until After the Sale is Complete. 

A sewer camera inspection is not about finding reasons to kill a deal. It’s about helping buyers make informed decisions. If issues are discovered before closing, buyers may have the opportunity to negotiate repairs, request credits, adjust the purchase price, or simply understand the future maintenance needs of the property. 

Knowledge is power. This is especially important here in the Phoenix area. Many homes throughout the Valley have aging sewer systems. We’ve encountered older cast iron piping, aging clay lines, Orangeburge pipe, root intrusion from mature landscaping, and sewer lines affected by years of ground movement and wear. 

What might be a relatively straightforward repair in an open yard can become significantly more expensive when sewer lines run beneath decorative concrete, pavers, landscaping, pools, patios, or other improvements. For many families, purchasing a home is the largest investment they will ever make. Spending a little extra to understand the condition of the sewer line can provide valuable peace of mind and potentially save thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. 

At Robins Plumbing, we believe in speaking homeowner, not plumber. We believe in educating and empowering our clients so they can make informed decisions about their homes. A sewer camera inspection isn’t about creating fear. It’s about providing information. Before you sign the final paperwork on a home purchase, make sure you know what’s happening underground. The sewer line may be out of sight, but it should never be out of mind. 

If you’re buying a home in the Phoenix area and would like a professional sewer camera inspection, the team at Robins Plumbing is here to help. We’ll provide honest information, clear explanations, and the higher level of service our clients have come to expect. 

Because the best time to discover a sewer problem is before you own it. 

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing to provide you with prompt and expert care, contact our team today! In addition to our toilet services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!