Chicagoland & Suburbs • Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Will, Kane
2,400+ 5-Star Reviews
Underground Plumbing
Sewer Scope Camera Inspection ($350)
We insert an HD camera into the sewer lateral to inspect for blockages, cracks, root intrusions, offset joints, and line failures. Sewer line replacement costs $3,000 to $25,000 depending on depth, length, and access.
Is a Sewer Scope Worth It for You?
An honest breakdown of the pros, cons, and when the risk justifies the cost.
Pros
- Sewer line replacement costs $3,000 to $25,000 depending on depth, length, and access — a $400 inspection is straightforward math against those numbers.
- Problems found before closing give you negotiating power. The same problems found after closing give you a bill.
Cons
- On newer homes with PVC sewer lines in good condition, the likelihood of a significant finding is low.
- If no problem is found, it is a cost with no financial return.
When the Risk Is High
- The home has a clay tile sewer lateral — common in older Chicagoland homes, and the most failure-prone material in use. Clay tile is susceptible to root penetration, joint separation, cracking, and collapse. On a home with clay tile, the question is not whether there is a problem — it is how significant the problem is and who pays to fix it.
- The home is older than 40 years and sewer material is unknown
- There are large trees between the home and the street
- There is any history of drain backups or slow drainage
When the Risk Is Low
- The home was built in the last 20–25 years with a confirmed PVC sewer line in good condition
- No large trees are located near the sewer path
- There is no reported history of drainage issues