It’s easy to spend $40,000 renovating a 1955 home: new kitchen, refinished hardwood, fresh paint, a beautifully finished basement. Yet many investors never inspect the one system buried in the yard, the original sewer lateral.

That can be a painfully expensive oversight, particularly for $1M+ listings in Edina, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, and Hopkins.

A clay tile or cast iron sewer line that’s 70 years old may still work today, but hidden cracks, root intrusion, or separated joints can become an emergency tomorrow. If the new owner gets a backup into that freshly finished basement, the conversation shifts from renovation to restoration, insurance claims, and hard questions about what could have been found before the sale and who is responsible.

A sewer camera inspection before listing is inexpensive and quick next to the cost of an unexpected sewer failure or losing a buyer’s trust during an inspection period. If the line is in good shape, you have documentation that gives buyers confidence. If it isn't, you have the chance to fix it, or disclose it properly, before closing.

The most important home improvement may be the one no one ever sees.

Renovating an older home in Edina, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, or Minneapolis? Schedule a sewer camera inspection before you list it. Contact Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain.