Camera-scope the existing side sewer

What a camera scope tells you

The contractor sends a small inspection camera down the existing side sewer and records what it sees: pipe material, root intrusion, cracks, sags, blockages, joint condition. About an hour on site and you get a written report.

If your home was built before roughly 1960, the existing side sewer is likely clay tile with lead-caulked joints or Orangeburg (a tar-impregnated wood-fiber pipe used 1945-1972). Both can carry a single-house load fine for years and still be marginal for a second connection. The scope tells you which it is, so the side-sewer permit (step 3.3) and the GC bid (step 4.1) reflect what's actually there.

How to do it

1. Hire a plumber or side-sewer contractor with a camera rig. Many of them advertise "sewer scope" as a real-estate inspection service for $150–$350.
2. They run the camera from the cleanout to the city main and record video.
3. You get a written report with timestamps, observations, and a recommendation: keep, partially line, or fully replace.

What the recommendation drives

• "Existing line in good condition" — DADU connection plumbs into the existing line via a Y-fitting. Modest cost.
• "Existing line in fair condition; reline the bottom 20 ft" — trenchless cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), $3,500–$12,000 for the relined section.
• "Existing line failing; full replacement recommended" — new connection from the cottage all the way to the city main. $8K–$30K+ depending on length, depth, and what's above the trench (driveway, sidewalk).

Sequencing

Run this in parallel with the survey, arborist, and geotech work in Phase 1. The result feeds the side-sewer permit application (step 3.3) and the GC bid (step 4.1).