Why a Sewer Scope Is One of the Most Important Inspections for Homes in Pittsburgh & Western Pennsylvania

When most people think about a home inspection, they picture roofs, furnaces, and electrical panels. But one of the most expensive and disruptive systems in a home is completely underground and out of sight — the sewer lateral line that connects the house to the municipal sewer or septic system.

In Western Pennsylvania, where we have a large number of older homes and aging infrastructure, sewer scopes are not just a “nice to have.” They are often one of the most valuable inspections you can do before purchasing a home.

Older Homes = Older Sewer Lines

The Pittsburgh region has an incredible housing stock, but much of it was built before modern plumbing materials were standard.

Many homes still have sewer laterals made from:

• Cast iron

• Terracotta

These materials can deteriorate over time due to:

• Corrosion and scaling

• Cracks and fractures

• Root intrusion

• Shifting soil and settlement

Even if everything inside the home has been updated, the sewer line underground may still be original.

“Plumbing Replaced” Doesn’t Always Mean the Sewer Line Was Replaced

One of the most common things I hear from buyers is:

“The listing says the plumbing was replaced.”

That usually refers to interior supply and drain piping — not the buried sewer lateral that runs from the house to the street or septic tank.

Replacing interior plumbing is much easier and far less expensive than replacing a sewer line. As a result, it’s very common to see homes where:

• All interior plumbing is new

• But the underground sewer lateral is still 50–100+ years old

Without a sewer scope, there is no reliable way to know the condition of that pipe.

What Is a Sewer Scope?

A sewer scope inspection uses a specialized waterproof camera that is inserted into the main drain line, allowing us to visually inspect the condition of the sewer lateral from the inside.

This allows us to look for:

• Cracks and broken sections

• Heavy corrosion or scaling (common in cast iron)

• Root intrusion

• Bellies (low spots holding water)

• Collapsed or offset joints

This is not something that can be determined from above ground, and problems often exist long before any backup occurs.

Sewer Repairs Can Be Very Expensive

Sewer line repairs are not small projects. Depending on location, depth, and access, repairs can easily range from:

• Several thousand dollars

• To well over $10,000 in some cases

And unfortunately, these repairs often come as a surprise after moving in, when a blockage or collapse finally causes a backup.

A sewer scope performed during the inspection period can:

• Identify defects early

• Provide leverage for negotiation or repair credits

• Help buyers plan for future replacement instead of being blindsided

Western PA Soil, Trees, and Water Make It Worse

Our local conditions make sewer issues even more common:

• Clay-heavy soils that shift and hold moisture

• Mature trees with aggressive root systems

• Freeze–thaw cycles that stress underground piping

Roots are especially drawn to older sewer lines because tiny cracks and joints allow moisture to escape — giving roots exactly what they are looking for.

Once roots enter the line, they tend to grow and worsen over time.

Protecting Your Castle Starts Below Ground

At Keystone Castle Inspections, we focus on the health of the entire property, not just what’s visible.

A sewer scope:

• Complements the standard home inspection

• Helps reduce major unknowns for buyers

• Provides peace of mind for sellers and homeowners as well

Whether you’re buying an older home, a flipped property, or even a newer home where construction debris could be present, knowing the condition of the sewer line is simply smart risk management.

✅ When Should You Get a Sewer Scope?

I strongly recommend a sewer scope if:

• The home is more than ~20 years old

• The home has cast iron, clay, or unknown sewer piping

• Large trees are present near the sewer path

• You want to minimize surprise repair costs after closing

In Western Pennsylvania, that covers a very large percentage of homes.

Schedule a Sewer Scope in Pittsburgh & Western PA

If you’re purchasing a home in the Pittsburgh area or surrounding Western Pennsylvania communities, a sewer scope can be added to your home inspection or scheduled as a standalone service.

📅 Easy online scheduling

📸 Video documentation included

📝 Clear explanations of what was observed and what it means

Your home is your castle — and every castle deserves strong foundations, even the ones you can’t see.