Why Every Pittsburgh Homebuyer Should Consider a Sewer Line Inspection

It’s what you don’t see that can cost you the most.

At Keystone Castle Inspections, we’ve performed countless home inspections across the Greater Pittsburgh area—and time and time again, it’s the sewer scope that reveals the biggest hidden issues.

While a general home inspection might come back clean or list only minor cosmetic concerns, a sewer line inspection can expose serious, expensive problems underground—like broken pipes, collapsed lines, or major obstructions.

What Is a Sewer Line Inspection?

A sewer line inspection (also called a sewer scope) involves inserting a specialized camera into the home’s main drain to visually inspect the condition of the sewer line all the way to the street or public connection point.

This quick, non-invasive test gives us a direct view of:

• Cracks or breaks in the sewer line

• Root intrusion from trees

• Obstructions or foreign materials

• Offset or misaligned pipe joints

• Standing water or bellied pipe sections

• Corrosion or scaling in cast iron pipes

Why It Matters in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is full of beautiful homes built in the early 1900s—and while many have been repiped inside the home, the main drain beneath the foundation is often still original cast iron.

This material naturally degrades over time, leading to:

• Corrosion and scaling

• Pipe collapse

• Tree root intrusion

• Drainage backups that affect the whole home

Once damaged, repairing or replacing a main sewer line can easily cost $10,000–$25,000 or more—and it's almost never covered by a standard home warranty or insurance policy.

Real Examples from the Field

As a Certified Professional Inspector, I’ve inspected homes where the general findings were minimal—think GFCI outlets or caulk lines—but a sewer scope revealed:

• A fully collapsed cast iron section 8 feet below the basement slab

• Heavy tree root intrusion from a neighboring oak

• Major offset joints allowing soil infiltration and water pooling

In every case, the buyer would have inherited a massive repair bill within the first year—if they hadn’t scheduled the sewer inspection.

When Should You Get a Sewer Line Inspection?

Sewer scopes are especially recommended when:

• The home was built before 1970 (many Pittsburgh homes qualify)

• You’re buying a flip or remodeled home (interior may be new, pipes are not)

• There are large trees near the yard or sidewalk

• You notice slow drains or gurgling toilets

• The home sits on a sloped lot or has had drainage issues

What Does a Sewer Scope Cost?

At Keystone Castle Inspections, we offer sewer line inspections as an affordable add-on to your standard home inspection—or as a standalone service. For the cost of a couple hundred dollars, you get the peace of mind of avoiding a five-figure repair.

Plus, we’ll include video footage of the line and a clear, honest explanation of what we see—no scare tactics or upsells.

Don’t Buy Blind. Book the Sewer Scope.

Whether you're a buyer, agent, or investor, a sewer inspection is one of the smartest decisions you can make in Western PA’s aging housing market.

📍 Serving Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Westmoreland, Washington, and Armstrong Counties

Schedule your home and sewer inspection today with Keystone Castle Inspections.

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📞 Call/Text Aaron at 412-204-6149