Sewer scope Training

[Hans Coleman]

Was wondering if anyone knew how to get trained to do sewer scopes in colorado. Does NACHI offer that as a class? I did look for it and I did not see it anything on NACHI. Let me know.

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Scott Gilligan inspector@accuracyinspections.com

Offers that service in this Area.
Send him a message.
May be a good place to Start your Search

[John Gromkoski]

I have also been considering adding this as an add on service. I am wondering what the investment cost might be for something like this, including equipment and training. I'm not sure if I will be able to sell enough to justify the cost, including liability insurance. Another thought is to bring in a third party company to do the inspection. I would love to hear other thoughts, ideas, experiences on this subject.

[Greg Keene, CPI]

I tell all my clients they should consider a sewer scope on the house. About 40% do it and about 15% - 20% find a problem. I then call another inspector in the area that does them and have him do it. "Down the hill" I give his regular price. "Up the hill" here in the mtns, I add $30 for his gas. Nobody complains. Take no referral, just a service by someone I trust. And I don't want to do it. I concentrate on the inspections.

[Nick Gromicko]

Was wondering if anyone knew how to get trained to do sewer scopes in colorado. Does InterNACHI offer that as a class?

Yes: http://www.nachi.tv/equipment/drain-...h-a-camera.htm

[Billy Boerner]

I do them on about 90% of all my inspections. I have a guy that comes on site with me. He collects his fee I collect mine and we are on our way. IMO it's to time consuming to do a home inspection and a lateral sewer inspection all at the same time with just one person. I will tell you this though almost all in my area offer it now because I honestly think I was leaving them in the dust lol. I checked before I started offering it almost no one did here.

[Scott Gilligan, CMI]

There is no online training out there on this subject that I have been able to find. Doing these types of inspections requires field training that you simply would not be able to get from watching a video online or reading a manual. There are many different manufacturers of cameras and they all work a little different. The basic principle is the same regardless of what type of camera you use.

You will need a thorough understanding of plumbing drainage systems and proper venting. The tools involved go beyond simply having a camera to shove down the drain as well. You will also need an invasive inspection agreement because some older brass clean out plugs need to be broken out because they are seized in place. You will also need to make some of your own tools because there isn't anyone out there that sells some of the things you will need in order to get the camera head in the required location sometimes. You will also need reporting and recording software to document your findings.

The actual inspection process of running a camera down a drain line is not that involved, but the equipment fees and field knowledge are what most guys are lacking in order to offer these inspections on their own. I learned from someone else teaching me over a period of several weeks on a larger commercial inspection I performed. The service is definitely marketable and needed during any real estate transaction. I rarely ever do one on an older system that doesn't have some sort of problem crop up. Newer PVC and ABS systems are nice to work on, but cast iron or terra cotta systems almost always have something going on.

My advice to you is to follow someone around that does them on a regular basis and see first hand if it something you want to get involved in offering. The equipment can be costly. I am on my second camera and have had the first one repaired several times already. Expect equipment failure and budget that into your fees. Repairs are not cheap unless you know how to work on CCTV systems yourself.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

I thought you was going to put together a course, Mr. Vice President? Been too busy or what?

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Local construction rental business rent out scopes. They have CD record. I use them for french drain inspections and foundation crack investigation.
They also rent a sounding device that will tell you where pipe is laid.
Please do not ask me the name of the devices. I took a quick 20 minute course to use the equipment and out I went.
Try Lowes, Home Depot.
Scot makes an EXCELLENT POINT.
Might want to follow behind a plumber. Shadow a plumber and ask them about courses.