Buying a home in LA? Get a sewer inspection first.
A general home inspection usually doesn't include a camera inside the sewer lateral — the pipe from the house to the street. In older LA-area homes, that line can be the most expensive surprise after closing. A sewer inspection during escrow turns a guess into footage.
Updated October 2026 · Rooter Pros, Burbank-based mobile plumber · CSLB #917630
What to ask for
From whoever does the inspection:
- A video recording — of the whole line, house to street
- A written summary — pipe material, defects and their locations
- Footage & locations — distances from the cleanout for each problem
- A plain-English walkthrough — what matters and what doesn't
How to do it in escrow.
Timing matters — schedule it early.
Schedule it inside your inspection contingency
Book the sewer inspection early in escrow, alongside the general home inspection, so you have time to act on what it shows.
Confirm access
Ask the listing agent where the cleanout is. If there isn't one, the inspector may need to go through a toilet or roof vent — arrange this with the seller in advance.
Watch it live if you can
Being there lets you see problems as they show up and ask questions. Either way, get the recording.
Review the findings
Look at pipe material, roots, cracks, offsets, bellies and any collapsed sections. Our guide to what a sewer camera shows explains each one, and clay, cast iron and Orangeburg covers materials.
Get an estimate if there's a problem
If the line needs work, get a written repair estimate. That's what you'll use to negotiate.
Use it
Common options: ask the seller to repair before closing, negotiate a credit, or adjust your offer. Your agent will advise on what's typical.
Who owns the sewer lateral?
In most LA-area cities, the homeowner is responsible for more than people expect.
House to the main
In many LA-area cities, the property owner is responsible for the lateral all the way to the public main — including the part under the sidewalk or street. Confirm the rules with the city: LA, Glendale, Burbank and others each set their own.
Repairs in the street
If the break is under the street, the repair can involve permits from the city as well. Knowing that before you close matters.
Point-of-sale rules
Some cities have their own sewer or point-of-sale requirements. Ask your agent and check the city's website.
Red flags on the video
Roots at joints, cracks, offset joints, a belly holding standing water, heavy scale in cast iron, or deformed Orangeburg. Small root intrusion in an otherwise sound pipe is often manageable; a collapse or Orangeburg usually means replacement. Our home inspections service covers this.
When to call a pro.
Why Rooter Pros:
We give you the recording
You keep the full video and a summary — share it with your agent or get a second opinion.
We explain it plainly
What's urgent, what's normal wear, and what can wait — without scare tactics.
We can estimate the repair
If it needs work, you get a written flat-rate estimate to use in negotiations. See sewer replacement.
Rooter Pros is open 24/7 — flat-rate pricing agreed before work starts.
Call (818) 669-9019Pre-purchase sewer inspection FAQ
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
Doesn't a home inspection include the sewer?
Usually not. A general inspection runs water and checks visible plumbing, but most don't put a camera inside the sewer lateral. Ask your inspector.
How long does a sewer inspection take?
Typically under an hour for a standard residential line, depending on access and length.
What if there's no cleanout?
The camera can sometimes go in through a toilet or a roof vent. Installing a cleanout is a common recommendation for the new owner.
Should I inspect a newer home's sewer too?
Newer lines fail less often, but roots, construction debris and bellies happen. If the house is older, it's especially worth it.
In escrow? Book the camera.
If this doesn't work or you'd rather not mess with it, call (818) 669-9019. 24/7 emergency service · Free estimates · Upfront flat-rate pricing