Buying an Older Home? Why You Need a Sewer Scope
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If you’re buying an older Edmonton home, book a sewer scope before your conditions come off. Most Edmonton homes built before the early 1980s have clay tile sewers, and once you own the house, the line on the property is yours to repair. Basic homeowner’s insurance typically won’t cover it.
Why it matters
- You’ll own it. Homeowners are responsible for the sewer line on their property. EPCOR handles only the property line to the main.
- Insurance won’t help. Repairs to service lines on your property aren’t typically covered by a basic homeowner’s insurance policy.
- It’s hidden. A line can look fine from the basement and still be full of roots or cracked.
What a scope shows
A camera goes down the line from a cleanout or floor drain. The video shows:
- Tree roots at the joints. Roots can grow into sewer service lines and cause backups.
- Cracks, breaks and offset joints.
- Bellies or sags, which need excavation to fix.
- The pipe material, often clay in older homes.
- A clean line, which is good news worth paying for.
What to do with the results
Clean line: keep the video for your records.
Problems found: get a written repair quote. Your options are likely lining, pipe bursting or replacement, depending on what the camera shows. A real quote gives you something specific to negotiate with.
Backwater valve? Ask whether the house has one. Backwater valves were not required in Edmonton homes built before 1989. EPCOR subsidizes up to $800 for eligible homes.
Timing
Book the scope early in your condition period so there’s time to get a repair quote if needed.
Cost
A standalone sewer scope typically costs about $285 to $360 in Alberta, based on HomeStars’ Calgary price guide. More if access is difficult or the line is long. See sewer camera inspection.