Bethel Park
- Dye test plus camera inspection of the sewer lateral
- Good for 2 years
- $50 municipal processing fee
Welcome, Gold Star Posts agents. Request a dye test for your seller below, or send them this page.
Selling a home in Allegheny County?
Get your dye test done before it holds up your closing.
Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, the City of Pittsburgh and many other towns require a dye test before a home sale closes. Some also require a camera inspection of the sewer line. We connect you with an Allegheny County licensed plumber who runs the test on your schedule.
- Plumbers licensed by the Allegheny County Health Department
- Scheduled around your closing date
- Repair quotes right away if a test fails
What your town requires
Every municipality sets its own rules. Here is what the most common towns ask for at sale.
Mt. Lebanon
- Dye test before sale; not needed to refinance
- Good for 3 years
- Form due 10 business days before closing
Upper St. Clair
- Dye test plus sewer lateral inspection
- The seller is responsible
- Schedule early in case repairs are needed
City of Pittsburgh
- Dye test before sale
- PWSA compliance certificate needed to close
- Failed connections must be fixed and retested
Fox Chapel, Hampton, Scott, Avalon, Blawnox and Thornburg also require a test at sale. Pick "Another Allegheny County town" on the form and the plumber will confirm your town's rules. Last checked November 2026.
How it works
Tell us the address and closing date
Use the form or call (412) 555-0100.
A licensed plumber calls you
They confirm what your town requires and book a time before your deadline.
Test, results and next steps
You get your results and know exactly what your town needs before closing.
What the plumber checks
- Every downspout
- Driveway, yard and area drains
- Roof drains that run inside the house
- Interior French drains and sumps
- The sewer lateral by camera, where your town requires it
Failed your dye test?
Most failures trace back to a downspout or drain tied into the sanitary line. A cracked or leaking sewer lateral is a bigger job that can cost thousands of dollars. Get a repair quote right away so it doesn't push back your closing.
Some towns let a sale close with money held in escrow for repairs. Ask your municipality whether yours does.
Get a repair quoteCommon fixes
- Disconnect downspouts from the sanitary line
- Disconnect driveway, yard or area drains
- Repair, reline or replace the sewer lateral
- Retest and file the passing result with your town
Questions sellers ask
What is a dye test?
A licensed plumber puts a nontoxic, water-soluble dye into your downspouts and drains, flushes them with water, and checks whether the dyed water shows up in the sanitary sewer. If it does, that drain is improperly connected and has to be rerouted.
Why do towns require it?
Rainwater that gets into sanitary sewers causes sewage overflows during heavy storms. Federal and state regulators directed municipalities to stop those overflows, and testing at the time of sale is one way towns find and fix improper connections.
What is a camera inspection?
Some towns, including Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair, also require an inspection of the sewer lateral, the pipe from your house to the street. The plumber runs a camera through it to look for cracks, breaks and leaks.
Who can perform the test?
A plumber licensed by the Allegheny County Health Department. Some towns also send their own staff to watch the test.
How long is a passing test good for?
It depends on the town. Bethel Park certifications last 2 years and Mt. Lebanon's last 3 years.
Who pays for it?
In most towns the seller arranges and pays for the test and any repairs.
What does it cost?
The plumber quotes the test when they call you. Your town may add its own processing fee; Bethel Park's is $50.
Do I need a dye test to refinance?
Usually not. Mt. Lebanon, for example, doesn't require one to refinance. A few towns, such as Scott Township, do.
Are you a plumbing company?
No. Pittsburgh Dye Test is a referral service. We connect you with an independent, licensed plumber who performs the test and any repairs. Homeowners and agents pay us nothing.
For real estate agents
The town-by-town dye test checklist
What each town requires, how long a pass is valid, fees and deadlines. Keep it handy at every listing and send sellers here early. We never pay agents for referrals, and agents pay nothing.