What Is a Sewer Lateral Inspection and Do I Need One Before I Buy?

Every drain in the house, from the kitchen sink to the toilets, flows into one pipe that leaves the home and connects to the city's sewer main, usually under the street. That pipe is the sewer lateral.

I'm Jeanette Nelson, a REALTOR® with Jeanette Nelson Real Estate, Keller Williams Realty, serving Orange County, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and surrounding areas. I encourage buyers to look at the parts of a home they can't see, and the sewer line is one of the biggest.

You can't see the lateral during a showing. A slow drain or a gurgling toilet may be the only clue, and sometimes there's no clue at all.

The City of Huntington Beach has a sewer lateral policy that splits responsibility. The city is responsible for the portion of the lateral that runs from the city-owned sewer main through the public right-of-way. The property owner pays for repair and maintenance of the portion on private property.

The city notes that frequent cleaning or root removal may indicate a possible lateral break or tree root intrusion. For a blocked or clogged line, the city tells owners to call a qualified plumber or sewer contractor, since cleaning often can't wait. Questions about a lateral go to the Public Works Utilities Division at (714) 536-5921.

If the home you're buying is in another city, ask that city or the sanitary district that serves the address how they divide responsibility.

A licensed plumber or sewer contractor runs a camera through the line, usually from a cleanout near the house. The camera records video of the pipe's inside.

The video can show:

• Cracks, breaks or separated joints
• Tree roots growing into the line
• Sags or low spots where water and waste collect
• Grease or debris buildup
• The type of pipe material

Ask for the video file and a written summary, and keep both with your inspection records. Many general home inspections don't include a camera look inside the sewer line, so ask your inspector what's included and schedule the sewer inspection separately if needed.

It usually isn't required to close. It's a choice, and for many homes it's worth making. Consider one when:

• The home is older. See what to check before buying an older home in Huntington Beach.
• There are large trees near the front yard or parkway.
• The seller's disclosures mention past backups, root cleaning or sewer repairs.
• The home has been vacant, since problems can go unnoticed when no one is using the drains.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) suggests making your offer contingent on a satisfactory inspection, so you aren't obligated to buy if serious problems turn up. A sewer camera inspection fits inside that same contingency period. My article on your first home inspection explains how that period works.

You have options while your inspection contingency is still in place:

1. Get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor, with the private-side portion clearly separated.
2. Ask the seller for a repair, a credit or a price adjustment.
3. Check permits for this property with the city if the line was repaired before.
4. Decide whether to move forward, based on the estimate and your plans.

If the seller already did a camera inspection, read it and consider your own. My article on relying on the seller's inspection report explains why.

This is general information. A licensed plumber or sewer contractor can tell you what a specific video shows and what a repair would involve.

If you're buying in Orange County and want help planning your inspections, I'd love to talk it through with you. Call or text me at 714.366.8575 | DRE: 01397168, or contact me. Jeanette Nelson is a REALTOR® with Jeanette Nelson Real Estate, Keller Williams Realty, serving Orange County, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and surrounding areas.