08/02/2026
🚨 An incomplete sewer scope can cost everyone time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Here's a perfect example.
A buyer's sewer scope company was unable to complete the inspection, so the responsibility to get answers fell back on the sellers at their cost. That's when Pipe Spies was called in.
What did we find?
A simple, straightforward sewer line with excellent access.
No collapsed pipe.
No major blockage.
No unusual conditions preventing the inspection.
So why wasn't the first inspection completed?
There can be several reasons, but two of the most common are:
✔️ A shortened pushrod. Many companies use a camera system that's simply too short to reach the city main on longer sewer lines. While there is no official industry standard, a 200-foot pushrod is commonly used because it greatly improves the chances of completing the inspection.
✔️ Not running water while advancing the camera. A steady flow of water helps the camera glide through the pipe, allowing it to travel farther and more efficiently.
In this case, we believe the original technician was using a pushrod that measured approximately 150–155 feet.
Here's why.
From the two access points they used the camera moved smoothly through the line with virtually no resistance—until it stopped abruptly at exactly 153 feet both times.
When two separate lateral inspections stop at the exact same distance, despite an otherwise easy-to-navigate sewer line, it strongly suggests the equipment (pushrod) reached its limit, not the length of the pipe.
That's why having the right equipment matters.
At Pipe Spies, we invest in professional-grade equipment and proven inspection techniques because our goal isn't just to perform a sewer scope—it's to finish it whenever conditions allow.
The right equipment.
The right experience.
The complete picture.
Because "we couldn't finish" shouldn't be the final answer.
📞 If you're buying or selling a home along Colorado's Front Range, make sure your sewer inspection is completed by a company equipped to go the distance.
