SEWER SCOPE INSPECTION – WELLAND, NIAGARA, HAMILTON & SURROUNDING AREAS

Protect Your Home from Hidden Sewer Line Damage

A standard home inspection cannot see inside buried sewer lines — but sewer problems can cost $5,000–$20,000+ to repair.

A Sewer Scope Inspection gives you a real-time look inside the property’s main drain so you know exactly what you’re buying.

At True Inspection Home & Building Services, sewer scope inspections are performed by a Certified Master Inspector using a high-definition sewer camera.

Why a Sewer Scope Is Essential

Most homes — especially pre 1980 builds — have sewer lines that may seem“fine” but hide serious, expensive problems underground. Even newer homes can have cracked or damaged lines and improper slope inside the sewer lateral.

A Sewer Scope Inspection can identify:

Tree root intrusion
Cracked, broken, or collapsed pipes
Clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg deterioration
Misaligned or offset joints
Low spots (“bellies”) where waste collects
Grease buildup and blockages
Patching or improper repairs
Penetrations from rocks/gravel

These issues are not visible without a sewer camera!

What You Get With a True Inspection Sewer Scope

As one of the few inspectors in Ontario offering professional sewer scope inspections personally, I provide you with an accurate assessment of the sewer line. You receive pictures in the inspection report showing any areas of concern. The report will provide you with repair options aswell as some contacts for contractors that I recommend. Rather than having to call several different companies and arrange appointment times, our goal at True Inspection is to provide all the services you need in one appointment!

Common Problems Found in Niagara & Hamilton Sewer Lines

The Niagara region has many homes built between the 1920s and 1970s with clay or cast iron pipes — both known for deterioration and root intrusion. Some of these home still have Orangeburg lines. Even homes built after 2000 may have issues from construction defects or improper backfilling. What is Orangeburg you are probably asking. Orangeburg sewer lines are old, problematic pipes made of wood pulp and tar, popular post-WWII (1940s-1970s) as a cheap alternative to metal, but known to collapse, deform, and fail due to water saturation and root intrusion.

Frequent issues I find include:

Roots penetrating clay joints
Cracked or missing pipe sections
Settled or “bellied” pipes
Grease blockages from kitchens
Orangeburg lines
Heavy rust inside cast iron lines
Disconnected or poorly glued PVC joints
Collapsed portions of the sewer lateral

Without a camera, these issues are invisible — but extremely costly if missed.

When Should You Get a Sewer Scope?

I recommend a sewer scope inspection for:

Any home older than 25 years
Homes with clay, cast iron or unknown type of sewer lines
Slow drains, gurgling, or sewage smell
Large trees near the property
Renovations involving plumbing
Recent road or underground utility construction can sometimes disturb or inadvertently damage buried services, especially older sewer laterals. A camera inspection isn’t required in every case, but it can be a practical due-diligence step after nearby sewer/watermain work, curb/sidewalk reconstruction, or other excavation—particularly if the home has an older lateral or any poor drainage symptoms.

A sewer scope can save you thousands by identifying a hidden sewer problem before you buy.

Service Area

I proudly provide sewer scope inspections throughout:

Welland • St. Catharines • Thorold • Niagara Falls • Pelham • Port Colborne • Fort Erie • Crystal Beach • NOTL • Grimsby • Beamsville • Hamilton • Waterdown • Brantford • Dunnville • Lowbanks • and all surrounding communities.

Book a Sewer Scope Inspection

A sewer scope is one of the most important inspections you can perform on any home — and one of the most overlooked. Our service is for people who are buying or selling a building or who would like a sewer scope inspection as part of there maintenance program. Please be aware we do NOT offer sewer line cleaning. If you are actively experiencing a clogged drain or sewer back up, I recommend contacting Scott Best Sewer Services at 1-855-370-2378

Schedule your sewer scope inspection today:

Call or text: 289-439-0483

Email: aaronmccoll@gmail.com

Frequently Asked Questions — Sewer Scope Inspections

Will the sewer camera damage my pipes?

No. Sewer scope cameras are designed to be flexible and smooth, and they will not damage your pipes. They glide through the line without cutting, scraping, or forcing their way through the system.

Do you need to flush anything into my sewer line?

No. The inspection is performed using a camera only. Nothing is added to your system.

Will my home get messy during the inspection?

No. The camera is inserted at an existing cleanout or access point. There is no digging, no water pressure, and no mess involved.

Where do you access the sewer line from?

Most homes have a clean-out either inside the basement, outside near the foundation, or in the mechanical area. If the clean out is difficult to access we may not be able to perform the sewer scope.

How long does a sewer scope inspection take?

Most inspections take 20 minutes, depending on pipe length and accessibility.

What happens if you find roots, cracks, or a blockage?

You will receive photos and a detailed explanation in your inspection report. I will also provide recommendations and contact information for reputable sewer contractors.

Do you clear clogs or remove roots?

No. A sewer scope inspection is strictly diagnostic. If you have an active clog or backup, I recommend calling Scott Best Sewer Services at 1-855-370-2378.

Do I need to be home during the inspection?

No you do not need to be home as long as a real estate agent is present to let me in.

Can you inspect the entire length of the sewer line?

Yes — in most cases. Extremely long lines, collapsed pipes, or heavy blockages may limit camera travel, but I always document what is visible.

What happens if you are not able to check the entire length of sewer line?

An explanation and recommendation will be given in the report. Some time we recommend a sewer line cleaning so that the camera can travel the entire distance while other times repairs are needed before the rest of the line can be checked.

What are the repair costs?

Repair cost very depending on the length and type of material of the run and whether the condition is such that the sewer line can be relined with a Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) or if it needs to be dug up and replaced! If digging is required it also depends on where the sewer line runs, for example if it is running under a concrete driveway than costs will be considerable higher. For the average home you can expect repair to cost $3,000-$25,000.

You are not a plumber so are you qualified to do sewer scope inspections?

Yes I am certified and trained to perform sewer scope inspections by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. My insurance also specifically covers me for these inspections. The access point used for a sewer scope inspection is either the backwater valve and access box located in the basement or through the access cover on the main soil stack. Sometimes the soil stack is covered over with drywall and we cant access it. In these cases the only way to proceed is to have the homeowner expose the access or have a plumber remove a toilet. We do not remove toilets.

See below pictures.

Capture11 — Back water valve access point

I am purchasing a newer home, is there any point in doing a sewer scope inspection?

A newer home is much less likely to have sewer line problems than a pre 1980s build, however although not as common, newer plastic lines can be damaged and I have seen this. If you want to be sure there are no problems, a sewer scope is the only way I can even comment on the condition of the sewer line.

IMG E9493 — Even newer lines can have damage.

What some signs of leaking drain lines?

A leaking sewer line can wash away soils and cause settlement issues over many years if not detected and repaired.
Drainage Issues: Slow drains, backed-up showers/tubs, or toilets backing up.
Visible Water: Damp spots on basement floors, wet areas in crawl spaces or basements.
Foundation/Structural Issues: Cracks in foundation walls, floors, or ceilings; uneven or bouncy floors; doors/windows sticking or misaligned. (These symptoms have many possible causes–a sewer leak is just one contributing factor.)
Sunken walkways/driveways.
Other Clues: Musty odors, depression in the yard.
A key factor is also occupancy load. A home might function without noticeable problem with 2 people but than a family of 4 moves in and now they start have obvious drainage issues.