(What I Wish Every Buyer Knew Before Moving In)

Buying a home is exciting — and overwhelming.
You’re juggling paperwork, agents, inspections, maybe a lender breathing down your neck.

I get it.

But as a plumber in Sacramento, I’ll tell you this:
The biggest surprise for new homeowners is what’s hiding underground.

And it’s a surprise that can cost you $5,000 to $15,000 if you don’t catch it early.

That’s why I always recommend a sewer camera inspection before the deal is done.

What’s Hiding in the Pipes?

The house might look perfect.
New paint. Renovated kitchen. Beautiful lawn.

But underground? I’ve found:

• Tree roots choking the sewer line
• Crushed pipes from previous construction
• Rusted cast iron barely holding together
• Huge bellies (sags) where waste sits and builds up
• DIY “fixes” with duct tape and hope

And the buyer had no idea — until the first backup in their brand-new bathroom.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Actually Shows

Using a sewer camera, we feed a small waterproof camera down the main drain line.
It sends live footage to a monitor so we can see:

• Blockages
• Cracks
• Collapsed pipe sections
• Grease buildup
• Root intrusion
• Offsets between pipe sections
• Any potential issues down the line (pun intended)

This isn’t guessing.
It’s real-time, high-res footage of what’s going on — or going wrong.

Can’t the Home Inspector Do That?

Sometimes they offer it — but not always.

Most general home inspectors look at visible plumbing: faucets, water heater, leaks under the sink.

The underground sewer line? They usually don’t touch it.

And that’s where the real problems (and real money) live.

A True Story From This Year

One of our customers bought a house with a brand new interior remodel.
Everything looked perfect — until the second week.

The toilets started backing up.
We came out with a camera — and found a broken clay pipe 15 feet from the house, right under a walkway.

The cost? $9,300 for a trench and full pipe replacement.
All avoidable with a $250 inspection before purchase.

It’s Cheap Insurance

A full sewer inspection usually takes under an hour.
It costs way less than repairing even one small section of damaged pipe.

And when you compare it to:

• Mold remediation
• Flooring damage
• Excavation
• Permits
• Emergency plumbing

…it’s a no-brainer.

What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing

When we get a call from a buyer or real estate agent, we:

• Inspect the full main sewer line
• Provide video footage + commentary
• Show exactly where any issues are (with depth + location)
• Give honest, no-pressure recommendations
• Work fast — we know you’re on a timeline

If you’re buying a home, book a sewer camera inspection with Golden Valley Plumbing.
It’s peace of mind — before the paperwork is final.

Final Word

A beautiful home with a broken sewer line… isn’t a dream.
It’s a money pit.

Don’t let a hidden pipe ruin your first year as a homeowner.
Get the camera. Know what you’re buying. Make the smart move.