A detailed examination of the drain lines connecting a residential property to the municipal sewer system is a service typically conducted prior to finalizing a real estate transaction. This process involves a visual assessment, often employing specialized camera equipment, to identify potential defects, blockages, or areas of concern within the underground piping. For example, such an evaluation might reveal root intrusion, pipe collapse, or misaligned joints that could lead to future plumbing issues.
Undertaking this preventative measure offers significant advantages to prospective homeowners. It can uncover costly problems that would otherwise remain hidden until they manifest as backups or failures, potentially saving thousands of dollars in repair expenses. Historically, reliance on visual inspection alone proved inadequate, leading to unforeseen maintenance requirements shortly after property acquisition. Advances in technology have now made more thorough underground assessments possible.