Sewer Scope Before Buying a House: A Loveland Buyer's Guide

A sewer scope is a camera inspection of the line that carries waste from the house to the public sewer. It is usually ordered by the buyer during the inspection period, and it shows problems a standard home inspection does not, such as roots, cracks, sagging sections, collapsed pipe or old materials near the end of their life.

It matters in Loveland because, according to a City of Loveland newsletter, clogs in the home's sewer lines are the homeowner's responsibility. Once you close, any problem in that line is generally yours. Finding it before closing gives you time to ask questions, negotiate or walk away.

The operator feeds a camera on a flexible cable into the line, usually through a cleanout, and watches a live picture as it travels toward the street. A good inspection notes the pipe material, the condition of joints and any changes in material, along with the distance from the starting point to each finding.

Common findings include root intrusion at joints, offset joints where one section has shifted, cracks or breaks, bellies where the pipe sags and holds water, heavy grease buildup and, in older homes, deteriorating Orangeburg or corroded cast iron. Some lines look great, which is useful to know too. Our page on sewer camera inspection Loveland explains the equipment and process in more detail.

Several local conditions make a scope worth considering. Older homes may have original clay or cast iron lines; in the West 5th Street Historic District, most houses were built between 1900 and 1910. Orangeburg pipe was used until the 1970s and lasts about 50 years at best, so homes from the decades after World War II deserve a look as well.

Newer homes are not automatically in the clear. The Colorado Geological Survey calls expansive soil the state's most significant geologic hazard and lists disrupted sewer lines among its effects. And trees matter: the city says ash makes up roughly 20 percent of the public canopy, and emerald ash borer was found here in 2024, so roots and tree removals near the sewer path are worth watching.

Ask for the full video file, not just a summary, along with a written note of what was found and where. A minor root intrusion or a little grease may only call for cleaning. A cracked section, a significant belly or collapsing pipe is a bigger issue that may need repair or replacement.

If something serious shows up, you can ask a provider to explain the likely fix, share the video with your agent and decide how to proceed. Some buyers negotiate a repair, a credit or a price change; others accept the line as it is with a plan in mind. The video gives everyone the same facts to work from.

In most purchases, the buyer orders the sewer scope as part of their own inspections, the same way they order a home inspection. Some sellers have a scope done before listing so they can address problems or share the video up front. If a seller offers an old video, it is still reasonable to ask for a fresh look, since roots and soil movement can change a line over a few years.

Make sure the scope is done by someone who can clearly explain what they see. You do not need to be an expert, but you should come away understanding where the problems are and how serious they look.

A sewer scope covers the waste line only. Loveland Water and Power notes that the water service line from the street main into the home is owned by the customer, and that lead service lines were common in homes built before 1960. If you are buying an older house, ask what the water service line is made of as part of your due diligence.

A sewer scope is a small step that can prevent a big surprise after move-in. It tells you what is under the yard while you still have choices. Older homes in the historic core, like those described on our Downtown Loveland drain cleaning page, are especially good candidates.

Loveland Drain Clean is a free referral service, not an inspector or plumber. Call (970) 693-9705 and we will connect you with an independent local provider who offers sewer camera work. They set their own prices and can tell you how quickly they can schedule before your deadline.