A standard home inspection covers nearly everything you can see: the roof, foundation, electrical system, HVAC equipment, windows, and appliances. But one of the home's most important and most expensive systems usually goes uninspected, the sewer lateral connecting the house to the city main.

In many older neighborhoods across St. Louis Park, Edina, Hopkins, and southwest Minneapolis, that buried line is still the original clay tile or cast iron pipe installed 70 to 100 years ago. Everything inside the home can look and work fine while the line underground is cracked, separated, punctured by tree roots, or sagging enough to cause recurring backups.

Because a standard inspection rarely includes a sewer camera, buyers often don't find these problems until after closing. What could have been a simple negotiation turns into an expensive repair and an unwelcome surprise for everyone at the table.

That is why more real estate professionals are adding a sewer scope to due diligence on older homes. A clean inspection gives buyers confidence and becomes another selling point for the property. If a problem shows up, it can usually be handled before closing through repairs, credits, or negotiation rather than after the keys change hands. When there is a real defect, we recommend an actual repair by a reputable sewer repair company over a credit or price adjustment, because we have seen new owners hit a backup or a collapsed pipe just weeks into home ownership.

At Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain, we provide objective sewer camera inspections and a report anyone can understand. If the line is in good shape, we tell you. If it isn't, we show you exactly what we see on camera. Our job is to give buyers, sellers, and agents clear information so they can make informed decisions.

If you regularly work with older homes in southwest Minneapolis, Hopkins, Edina, or SLP, we’d be glad to be your trusted resource for sewer camera inspections. Contact Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain to schedule an inspection or call to learn more.