Plumbing
No cleanout. The backup is how people find out
Learn how to find your sewer cleanout, what plumbing codes require, who owns the sewer line, and what a scope or cleanout install costs.
Plumbing
11 articles
Plumbing
Orangeburg pipe: what the camera is looking for
What an inspector looks for on sewer-scope video of Orangeburg pipe: out-of-round walls, blisters, roots, and separated joints.
Plumbing
Is a $250 sewer scope worth it on an older house
Is a $250 sewer scope worth it on an older home? See what a camera finds in old lines, what it misses, and what to ask for.
Plumbing
Who pays when the bad pipe is past your property line
Learn who pays for a broken sewer pipe under the street or sidewalk, how to find your city's rule, and how to prove where the break is.
Plumbing
The sewer scope on a turnkey house found a crushed city line
Learn why a crushed sewer tie-in on a turnkey house needs written utility confirmation, a scope, and a plumber's quote before your inspection deadline.
Plumbing
How do you shut down the outdoor faucets before a freeze?
Learn how to drain and shut off outdoor faucets before a freeze: disconnect the hose, close the indoor valve, drain the line, and add a cover.
Plumbing
Frozen Pipes: Where They Freeze First and How to Check Before Winter
Find the pipes in your house most likely to freeze, protect them for a few dollars this fall, and know what to do if a faucet goes dry on a cold morning.
Plumbing
Sewer Scope Inspections: When a Buyer Should Pay for One
Which houses need a sewer scope before you close, what it costs as of October 2026, what the camera finds, and how to use the results to negotiate.
Plumbing
Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets Before the First Hard Freeze
A burst outdoor faucet usually doesn't show up until you turn it on in spring, after it has been leaking into the wall. How to shut off, drain and protect hose bibs,…
Plumbing
Sump Pump Test: Know It Works Before You Need It
A sump pump sits quietly for months, then has to work perfectly in the worst storm of the year. How to test it in ten minutes, what to check, and the signs…
Plumbing
How to Find a Hidden Water Leak in Your House
A high water bill or a stain on the ceiling can mean water is leaking somewhere you can't see. How to use your water meter to confirm a leak and track it…