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Should you get a sewer scope before buying a home in St. Louis County?

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

Yes, if the house is older. The sewer lateral is buried, the homeowner owns it all the way to the MSD main, and a failed line can cost thousands of dollars. A camera inspection shows its condition before you close.

Why it matters here

Angi notes that St. Louis homes built before the 1970s may have cast iron, clay, or Orangeburg sewer pipe, and that many local lines are old and fragile. A buyer who skips the scope inherits the repair bill.

What a scope costs

Angi puts the average St. Louis sewer camera inspection at $388, with a range of $225 to $572. Older clay lines can cost more to inspect.

What to ask for

The full video, which you keep, and not just a verbal summary
A written note of where each defect is, measured from the house
Whether the defects are in the lateral, in the house drain, or at the connection to the main
A repair estimate from a contractor you choose

What if it finds a problem

Use the scope to negotiate. Ask the seller to repair the line, give a credit at closing, or reduce the price. Get a written bid before you agree to an amount.

Point-of-sale rules. Some municipalities have rules about sewer laterals at the time of a sale. We have not confirmed the current rules for each city, so ask the city or your agent before you list or close. Ballwin's program, for one, says it is not meant to satisfy a home sale contingency.

Common questions

What is a sewer scope?

A plumber or inspector feeds a camera through the sewer line from the house toward the main and records what it sees, including cracks, roots, offsets, and collapses.

How much does a sewer scope cost in St. Louis?

Angi reports an average of $388 for a St. Louis sewer camera inspection, with a range of $225 to $572.

Do I need one if the house passed its regular inspection?

A standard home inspection does not look inside the buried sewer line. A sewer scope is the way to see it.

Who pays if the scope finds a problem?

That is a negotiation between buyer and seller. Common outcomes are a repair by the seller, a credit at closing, or a lower price. City repair programs generally are not designed to cover a defect found during a sale, so ask your city.

Sources

Program details come from the city documents above and can change. Confirm current terms with your city before you hire anyone.