Agent/Broker owner here. I regularly advise that my clients get a sewer line inspection.
Just got this from one of my fave home inspection companies, it’s good info for any homebuyers.
Sewer Problems Are Among the Most Expensive Issues Your Clients Face
Damage to sewer lines can be devastating to a home, causing both health and structural issues. Fortunately, homeowners and buyers can be proactive by having a sewer scope inspection. An inspector with the right equipment will examine the sewer line using specialized camera equipment to identify issues. They will also provide a thorough inspection report with findings and recommendations.
Sewer Scope Inspection: What It Is and Why You Might Need One
A sewer scope inspection uses a video attached to a snake-like cable to examine the home’s sewer line. This privately-owned pipeline leads from the house to the publicly owned main sewer line or septic tank. Sewer scope inspection can reveal damage to the pipes, blockages, and other problems. It also can spot potential problem areas before they develop into serious issues or hazards.
Structural Risks of Damaged Sewage Lines
Blocked and damaged sewer lines can also lead to extensive structural issues. Basements and flooring are especially at risk and resulting damage can be expensive to repair if not discovered early.
5 main culprits that cause most sewer line issues
-
Roots: This is the most common issue for sewer line blockage. Fast growing tree roots find their way in through the smallest cracks to feed off water and nutrients within sewer pipes. Having regular sewer scope inspections can help identify signs of root damage early and save on more expensive repairs down the line.
-
Settling: Sewer lines that are located in an unsupportive or poorly built trench can begin to sag over time. This creates a spot called a belly where sewage can build up and create blockages.
-
Ground shifting: Naturally occurring events such as excavating or seismic activity can cause the ground to shift. This can result in misaligning sewer lines, no matter how well they were first laid.
-
Inferior pipe materials: You will often find pipe clay or concrete pipes in older homes. These materials are much more susceptible to issues than plastic pipes used in newer homes. A sewer scope inspection can spot inferior pipe materials and raise concerns for future issues.
-
Poor installation: Unfortunately, sometimes sewer lines are poorly installed. Improperly fitted connections and severe angles along the pipes are among some of the most common issues. If your home sewer line is poorly installed, it’s important to identify this and make repairs as soon as possible.
This issue can worsen over time as regular wear-and-tear makes sewer lines more susceptible. The best way to check on the health of your sewer line and get ahead of issues is to have a sewer scope inspection by a certified inspector.
My experience with sewer scopes, over 1,000 transactions as an agent:
Flips, new construction, unpermitted work done by homeowners. If you’re purchasing any of these properties, a sewer scope is really important.
-
Flippers almost always neglect the sewer lines.
-
New construction lay the sewer pipes then roll over them with so many heavy trucks and construction equipment, and the ground settles, so the lines move and can become disconnected from the main lines.
-
Homeowners (especially prior to when permits were public record, circa 1985-ish) added bathrooms and DIY’d sewer line connections
-
1860-1970 “orangeburg” sewer line materials were in prolific use – they’re made of pressed paper, basically cardboard. In my area, orangeburg is considered a “material defect” and needs to be disclosed
Many home inspectors offer sewer line inspections, but they can’t always access a “clean out”.
If your home inspector doesn’t have easy access, you may need to hire a plumber to remove a toilet and access the sewer line that way.
Sometimes a plumber can access the sewer line through a pipe in the roof – that pipe is there to let sewer gasses out of the house.
If you’re looking at a property with a septic system, you should get a septic inspection done by a licensed septic company. That inspection doesn’t always include a scope from the house to the septic tank, so make sure you get a scope of the entire system.
PRO TIP 1: If you’re concerned about your property sewer lines, you can check permit applications online. Look up the street name and see if there have been a lot of permits pulled for new sewer lines on the same street. That’s a really good indication that the lines have been failing for the same aged properties, and if the property you’re buying doesn’t already have a replacement history, you’re probably next.
PRO TIP 2: Most homeowner’s insurance providers offer a sewer line rider. Cost is usually $5-$20/month extra. If the house you’re buying has any of the above factors, it’s worth getting the extra coverage.
Discover more from Today Headline
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.