Should you jet your drains before a home inspection? The honest answer depends on what the camera shows first.
The question comes up most often for sellers who want to present the home in the best possible condition — including the sewer line — before a buyer does their inspection. Here is how to think about it.
Get a camera inspection before deciding whether to jet
The right sequence is camera inspection first, then decide. If the camera shows the line is clean and in good condition, you do not need to jet before listing — you have documentation that the sewer line is in good shape, which is actually a selling point. If the camera shows buildup, root intrusion, or a line that a buyer is likely to flag during their inspection, jetting before listing removes the issue.
The benefit of pre-sale sewer inspection for sellers
Buyers increasingly request sewer scope inspections as part of the purchase contingency. If a buyer finds a problem during their inspection, it becomes a negotiating point — potentially a repair credit or price reduction. If you find the same problem and address it before listing, you control the narrative and the cost.
Pre-sale sewer inspection also gives you documentation — footage showing the pipe condition — that you can include with the home disclosures. This is a transparency measure that sophisticated buyers and agents notice.
When not to jet before a home inspection
If the camera shows a structural problem — a collapse, significant pipe wall damage, a section that needs pipe repair — jetting will not fix that. Jetting a problem pipe and hoping the buyer does not find it in their inspection is not the right move. Disclose the problem, address it appropriately, or price the home accordingly.
Timing
Schedule the pre-sale camera inspection well before listing — ideally 4–6 weeks out. That gives you time to jet (if needed) and have the line re-inspected to confirm the result before a buyer schedules their own inspection.
Call Sunburst Environmental at 678-799-4389 for same-day service across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, or request a free estimate online.