Project Overview
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Client | Home buyer (pre-purchase home inspection) |
| Location | Nashville, TN |
| Service | Sewer camera inspection (pre-purchase / home-inspection scope) |
| Technician | Bob |
| Access challenge | No outside access to the sewer cleanout - interior toilet pulled to reach the line |
| What we found | A significant break in the sewer line; wastewater leaking into the surrounding ground instead of reaching the municipal sewer |
| Outcome | Break documented on video to the city connection; detailed estimate provided to repair the damaged section and clean the system - before the buyer closed |
The Challenge — A Home Purchase With No Easy Way to See the Sewer
The sewer line is one of the most expensive unknowns in any home purchase, and it is almost impossible to judge from the surface. This home made it harder: there was no outside access to the sewer cleanout, so there was no straightforward entry point to run a camera down the line. Without a proper inspection, a serious defect could easily have gone unnoticed until after closing - when it would become the new owner's problem.
Our Solution — A Full Camera Inspection to the City Connection
Technician Bob arrived on time and courteous, and walked the buyers through every step of the sewer inspection before starting. With no exterior cleanout available, he carefully removed a toilet inside the home to create a clean access point, then fed state-of-the-art camera equipment down the sewer line - inspecting it all the way to the municipal city connection rather than stopping short.
That full-length view is exactly what surfaced the problem a shorter or surface-only look would have missed.
What the Camera Found
A significant break in the sewer line, with wastewater leaking into the surrounding ground instead of reaching the municipal sewer system.
A defect that could easily have been missed without a proper camera inspection - invaluable to know before purchasing the home.
Full video documentation of the line, reviewed on the spot with the buyers so they could see the issue for themselves.
A detailed, itemized estimate to repair the damaged section of the sewer line and clean the system.
The Results
A hidden, costly sewer defect identified before the purchase closed.
The entire line documented on camera to the city connection - clear, shareable evidence.
Every question answered and the video reviewed in full, so the buyers understood exactly what was happening and what their options were.
A detailed repair-and-cleaning estimate in hand, at pricing the customer called very reasonable for the level of service.
A far more informed decision during the home-buying process.
Buying Without a Sewer Scope vs. With Prodigy's Inspection
| No sewer camera inspection | Prodigy pre-purchase inspection |
|---|---|
| Sewer line condition unknown at closing | Line inspected on camera to the city connection |
| Hidden break easily missed | Break found and shown to the buyer on video |
| Defect becomes the new owner's surprise cost | Documented before closing, with a repair estimate in hand |
| No leverage in the purchase decision | Clear evidence to inform negotiation and next steps |
From the Customer
“ Dr. Bella Victoria — Verified Google review, July 2026 Excellent Experience with Prodigy Drains! We hired Prodigy Drains as part of a home inspection in Nashville, TN, and I was extremely impressed with their professionalism and expertise. Our technician, Bob, was outstanding. He arrived on time, was courteous, and took the time to explain every step of the sewer inspection process. Since there was no outside access to the sewer cleanout, he carefully removed a toilet inside the home and used state-of-the-art camera equipment to inspect the sewer line all the way to the city connection. The inspection revealed a significant break in the sewer line where wastewater was leaking into the surrounding ground instead of reaching the municipal sewer system. This was an issue that could have easily been missed without a proper camera inspection, and it was invaluable information before purchasing the home. Bob thoroughly reviewed the video findings with us, answered all of our questions, and provided a detailed estimate for repairing the damaged section of the sewer line and cleaning the system. His knowledge, honesty, and attention to detail gave us confidence that we understood exactly what was happening and what our options were. Their pricing was very reasonable considering the level of service and the valuable information they provided. I would highly recommend Prodigy Drains to anyone needing a sewer inspection, drain services, or plumbing diagnostics. Their professionalism and expertise helped us make a much more informed decision during the home-buying process. Read the review on Google: verified Google review
Why a Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection Matters
- Catches expensive problems early - a cracked or broken sewer line is one of the costliest repairs a new owner can inherit, and it is invisible from the surface.
- Works even without an exterior cleanout - a technician can create safe interior access, so an awkward layout is no reason to skip the scope.
- Inspects the whole line - running the camera to the city connection reveals breaks and leaks a partial look would miss.
- Gives you evidence, not opinions - recorded video and a written estimate you can use to negotiate or plan repairs.
- Supports a confident decision - you know exactly what you are buying before you close.
The Services Behind This Project
This inspection was a sewer camera inspection, and the break it found is repaired with sewer line repair - often trenchlessly via trenchless sewer repair. For what a repair like this typically costs, see our trenchless sewer repair cost guide.