Why buyers in Calgary should care about sewer scopes

The main drain line is out of sight, but it can be one of the most expensive parts of a house to fix. In older Calgary homes, tree roots, soil movement, and cold winters put extra stress on buried pipes. A sewer scope is a short camera scan of the line from the house to the street. It shows real footage of the pipe’s condition so you are not guessing. If there is a crack, offset joint, or sag that holds water, you will see it on screen.

What a sewer scope is

A small camera on a flexible cable goes into the cleanout or a pulled toilet and travels through the main drain. The inspector records video and notes distance markers. You will see the pipe material, joints, bends, and any problem spots. The visit does not damage your home. After the scan, you get a short report or video link to share with your agent or a drain contractor.

When to add a sewer scope to your inspection

• Older houses: many pre-renovation homes have original clay tile or cast iron sections that age out.
• Big trees near the line: roots seek water and can enter small gaps at joints.
• Slow drains or sewer smells: gurgling, frequent backups, or basement floor drains that burp are warning signs.
• Recent street or yard work: heavy equipment can shift soil and stress shallow lines.
• Homes with past insurance claims: if sellers mention backups, confirm the fix worked.
• Additions and basement suites: new tie-ins can create odd slopes or sharp bends if not planned well.

What the camera often finds

• Root intrusion: roots slip through small joints and grow into a thick mat. They slow flow and catch debris.
• Offsets at joints: sections that no longer line up. Paper and solids snag here and cause repeat clogs.
• Cracks and breaks: common in older clay or cast iron. Soil can enter and create voids under the pipe.
• Sags (bellies): low spots that hold water. These collect sludge and lead to slow drains.
• Grease and scale: heavy buildup coats the pipe and shrinks flow diameter.
• Poor repairs or odd materials: mixed pipe types or sharp transitions that were never smoothed out.

Pipe materials you might see

Different eras used different pipes. Your scope will likely show one or more of these:

• Clay tile: common in older areas. Strong in compression, weak at joints. Roots love the gaps.
• Cast iron: durable but can rust and scale inside. Heavy and harder to replace.
• ABS/PVC: plastic pipes used in newer work. Smooth interiors and glued joints. Problems here are usually from poor slope or bad transitions, not age.

Some homes have a plastic section near the house tied into older material closer to the street. The transition itself is a point to check carefully.

Clues inside the house and yard

Before you even run a camera, small clues can hint at a tired line:

• Basement floor drain stains: a ring or tide mark around the drain suggests past backups.
• Frequent snaking: sellers may mention regular clearing. That points to roots or offsets.
• Uneven grass strip: lush growth along a buried line can mean small leaks feeding roots.
• Slow group drains: when the kitchen, bath, and laundry slow at the same time, the main line is the likely bottleneck.

How the scope visit works

The process is simple:

1. The inspector locates a cleanout (often in the basement or mechanical room). If there is no cleanout, a toilet may be lifted with your approval.
2. The camera feeds into the pipe while the screen shows live video. The cable counter shows how far you have gone.
3. At each joint or finding, the inspector pauses and records. They may flush a toilet to watch flow.
4. When the camera reaches the city connection, it is slowly withdrawn while the inspector reviews key points.
5. You get a video file or link. Notes list material, depth markers for concerns, and suggested next steps.

Winter limits and fair next steps

In deep cold, cleanouts can be tight and ground lines can be frozen. If the camera hits ice near the street, that will be recorded. A fair plan is to repeat the last section when thaw allows or to have a drain contractor steam the line first. Even a partial winter scan still gives value inside the house and through most of the yard line.

What to do with the results

Your path depends on what the video shows:

• Clear line, minor scale: keep the video and move on. Plan normal care.
• Roots or grease, no damage: cleaning (rodding or jetting) can bring flow back. Ask about a smooth nozzle pass to avoid rough cuts.
• Offsets, cracks, or deep sags: talk to a drain contractor. Options include spot repair, lining, or full replacement. Your agent can use the report to ask for repairs, a credit, or a price change.

Repairs in plain language

Different fixes fit different findings:

• Cleaning: removes roots and sludge. It is not a cure if the pipe is damaged, but it buys time.
• Spot repair: dig and replace a short failed section. Good for a single bad joint or break.
• Liner (trenchless): a sleeve installed inside the old pipe to create a new smooth surface. Needs the host pipe to be mostly intact.
• Full replacement: new pipe with proper slope. Most expensive, but a clean, long-term result.

How a scope helps with negotiation

Video proof changes the tone. You are not guessing or using vague words. You are pointing to minute marks and clear images. Pick the top items and attach the clip timestamps. Ask for one of three things: a repair by a licensed contractor, a fair credit, or a price change. Keep the ask short and calm. That approach works better than a long list.

Condos and townhomes

Inside-unit drains can still clog or leak. In stacked buildings, access to the main line may be limited. You can scope from your unit’s cleanout to the building tie-in and then read building documents for the common line. If a ground-level townhome is slab-on-grade, a scope is still useful. For an upper-floor condo, your focus may shift to vent stacks and unit drains rather than the buried line.

Common myths

• “Newer homes do not need a scope.” Most new lines are fine, but poor slope or rough transitions do happen. A quick scan can still catch an early mistake.
• “If it drains today, it is fine.” A small offset may pass water on a quiet day and clog when guests visit. The camera shows what your eyes cannot.
• “Root killer is all you need.” Chemicals can slow growth but do not fix broken joints. They are not a long-term plan.

What it costs and how to plan

Prices vary by home size, access, and whether a toilet must be lifted. Many inspectors offer a scope as an add-on. If the scan finds damage, a second opinion from a drain contractor is smart. Bring your video so you do not pay twice for basic discovery.

Simple care tips after you buy

• Know where your cleanout is and keep it clear.
• Do not pour grease down sinks. Wipe pans with a paper towel first.
• Run plenty of water with disposals. Small bits need flow to move past bends.
• If you have trees over the line, plan regular checks so roots do not get a head start.

Buyer checklist you can copy

• Ask your inspector if a scope fits this house and timeline.
• Look for yard trees, slow drains, and past backup stories.
• Confirm camera access: basement cleanout or toilet pull.
• Record video and keep the file link.
• Use timestamps when you ask for repairs or credits.
• If damage is big, get a second quote before you decide.

The payoff

A sewer scope takes one extra hour and can save thousands. In older Calgary homes, it is a smart add-on during a tight purchase window. You leave the visit with real footage, clear notes, and a plan. That is better than hoping the line is fine and learning the hard way after move-in.