North Carolina renter buying 1955 rental considers $250 sewer scope, hears 'Do it'

A North Carolina renter preparing to buy the 1955 house they already live in had one simple question: Is a $250 sewer scope worth adding to the inspection when nothing seems wrong?

The overwhelming response in the Reddit thread was yes, especially when the potential downside could cost thousands.

Here's what to know

The question appeared in a post on r/HomeInspections from a Wilmington, North Carolina, resident who is purchasing the house they have been renting from their landlords and deciding whether to add a camera check of the sewer line to the inspection.

The home dates to 1955, and the poster said they believed it probably had cast-iron piping despite the lack of visible trouble.

"No current issues or anything signaling that we might have an issue," the poster wrote.

Commenters were nearly unanimous. One said, "It's worth every penny, even if they find nothing." 

Another put it more bluntly: "Do it. If there's a problem, that's an expensive fix."

A relatively small upfront cost could help a buyer avoid a major repair bill after closing.

Part of the concern was the age of the property. Commenters pointed to older sewer lines made from materials like cast iron, clay, or Orangeburg. Those types can be susceptible to problems including cracks, roots, decay, and even failure with age.

More background

Underground sewer lines can go unnoticed until a backup or break forces emergency repairs.

To show how expensive a missed issue can become, one commenter described buying a house and not knowing it had no cleanout before trouble hit: "Less than a year later sewage backed up into the toilet and overflowed while I was taking a shower."

In that case, the commenter said the bill was $2,000, and they warned that the price can jump sharply: "If you have a long run and it goes under concrete or a patio you are looking at $10-15,000. Maybe more."

Repair numbers elsewhere in the thread were even higher. One commenter wrote, "I spent 22,000 on a sewer line." 

Another said a scope helped them secure "a 15k credit at closing due to the sewer issues and they didn't know about them."

Spending $250 before purchase could uncover hidden problems, create leverage for repairs or credits, or provide peace of mind before closing.

What can be done?

A buyer in that situation can start by finding out what material the sewer line is made from and whether it has ever been relined or replaced, since older cast iron, clay, and Orangeburg pipes drew the most concern in the discussion.

If the inspection finds no issues, that is still valuable information. If it does identify a problem, a buyer may be able to renegotiate before closing instead of absorbing the entire cost later.

The thread also included suggestions to check whether gas or water providers offer optional sewer or water line coverage, though commenters treated that as a supplement rather than a substitute for scoping the line before buying.

"From these replies I'll absolutely do the scope just in case," the original poster wrote.

Another commenter summed up the math: "It's essentially a $250 bet hoping to offset many thousands of dollars if there are problems in the line."

Where can I learn more?

Pipe damage worries, hidden toilet leaks, sink clogs, and aging sewer systems can all lead to expensive fixes.

• One homeowner feared boiling water damaged pipes after trying to clear a stubborn clog.

• A plumber showed how a simple toilet dye test can expose leaks before bills spike.

• One homeowner swore a simple garbage disposal trick kept food waste from clogging pipes.

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