Why Every Utah Homebuyer Needs a Sewer Scope Inspection

When you’re buying a home in Utah, there’s one inspection that could save you from a nightmare scenario that thousands of homebuyers face every year. Picture this: you’ve just closed on your dream home in Draper, and three weeks later, you discover your sewer line has collapsed—requiring a $15,000 emergency repair that could have been prevented with a $149 inspection.

Utah’s real estate market is hotter than ever, with homes moving fast in places like Lehi, Sandy, Pleasant Grove, and Salt Lake City. In the rush to make competitive offers, buyers are often waiving inspections—especially sewer scopes. But what most realtors won’t mention? Standard home inspections do not include the sewer line. That means you’re on the hook for any hidden issues underground.

Utah’s Hidden Sewer Crisis

Why Sewer Problems Are So Common Here

Aging Infrastructure + New Builds
From older homes in Orem to rapid new construction in Saratoga Springs, Utah’s sewer lines are under pressure. Original clay or cast iron pipes in pre-1980 homes are reaching the end of their lifespan, while some newer builds suffer from rushed installation.

Soil Movement
Expansive clay soils in areas like Eagle Mountain and Herriman cause ground shifting—misaligning pipes or creating cracks that lead to major problems over time.

Tree Roots
Even beautiful landscaping in Sugar House or American Fork comes with a risk: tree roots aggressively infiltrate small pipe cracks, leading to blockages and costly backups.

Poor Grading or Installation
Especially in fast-growing suburbs, we’ve seen sewer lines installed with improper slopes, weak joints, or insufficient support—all of which create headaches down the road.

What We Typically Find

Why Choose True View Inspections?

What’s Included

• High-definition video footage of the entire sewer line
• Detailed written report with clear findings and severity ratings
• Same-day appointments available across Utah County, Salt Lake County, and surrounding cities
• Expert guidance to help you understand and act on the results

Whether you’re buying a home in Provo, South Jordan, Alpine, or Millcreek, we help you make informed decisions and avoid surprises.

Learn more about our process

Real Client Examples

“We bought a home in Pleasant Grove with mature trees. Three weeks in, the sewer backed up. $12,000 later, we learned it could’ve been caught early.”
— Sarah M., Pleasant Grove

“Our Lehi build was only 2 years old, but the sewer line was installed flat. We got it fixed before closing thanks to True View.”
— Mike R., Lehi

“We found root intrusion during our Orem inspection. Negotiated $2,500 off our offer and fixed it post-close.”
— Jennifer L., Orem

Buyer Tips for Competitive Markets

• Include sewer scope only in your offer contingency
• Keep it tight: offer a short (3–5 day) inspection period
• Offer to pay regardless of outcome

These tactics show sellers you’re serious—without skipping critical due diligence.

How Sewer Inspections Help You Win

Negotiation Leverage

If issues are found, you can:

• Request price reductions or credits
• Ask for repairs before closing
• Use the report as a tool to strengthen your case

Confidence to Move Forward

If the line is clear, you gain peace of mind. It’s one less thing to worry about in a major transaction.

Clarity on Future Costs

Even minor findings help you plan ahead. Knowing about root intrusion or early corrosion allows you to budget for maintenance.

Serving All of Northern Utah

If you’re somewhere along the Wasatch Front, or even if you’re not, we’ve got you covered.

The Bottom Line

A sewer inspection costs $149. A major repair could cost $10,000 or more.

Call or text (208) 483-0880
Email info@trueviewsewer.com

Want to learn more about what to expect from your sewer report?
Check out this guide

True View Inspections
Objective sewer scope inspections. No upsells. Just the facts.
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