Buying a home is an important decision. It is one that requires the sound advice of an appraiser and inspector so that expensive repairs can be avoided or negotiated into the price. The most common issues are rarely overlooked. Even inexperienced home buyers will notice cracks due to sunken foundations, uneven floors, squeaky baseboards, and condition of the roof. Even the internal systems such as the HVAC system and appliances are easily noticed. However, many seem to forget to get the plumbing inspected, especially the septic and sewer system. Here are 5 important things that happen during a sewer line inspection.
1. Accessing the sewer pipes
The sewer system is a very important aspect of the home. A properly functioning system allows for the proper flow of sewage and allows for a functioning septic system. If the line is damaged, ruptured, or clogged, it can cause a back up of the entire septic system causing a more than inconvenient problem that could take days to be fixed. The repairs for these types of issues are expensive and can sometimes require the yard and landscape to be dug up.
2. Using new fiber optic and camera technology
Before we had micro cameras and fiber optic systems, yards had to be dug up and lines had to be manually inspected by eye. This was labor intensive, expensive, and very invasive. Now, a technician can feed a small camera that is connected to a thin cord or fiber optic connection. The camera is remotely controlled and using a small light or infra red the inside of the piping can be thoroughly inspected.
3. Look for invasive tree roots
One of the most common issues with older homes is invasive tree roots. In older neighborhoods as the trees grow and add to the beauty of the neighborhood, concurrently they are wrecking havoc on the underground piping. Tree roots can bend the piping which causes it to pinch in certain spots. A strong and large tree root can totally rip and tear apart the sewer and septic lines causing expensive damage.
4. Old pipes are located
During the inspection, old and corroded pipes are located and mapped out on a grid. The entire sewer line is inspected and once completed the technician can create a plan for repair or replacement. Using the information from the inspection a complete repair and installation plan can be recommended, verified by camera footage.
5. Clogs
Clogs are regularly discovered during inspections. Clogs can occur due to unflushable debris and build up in the sewer lines. Clogs can sometimes be cleared with other devices but the issue may simply be solved with repair and installation of new piping.
Don’t take the plumbing system for granted when choosing a new home. Make sure to have the sewer lines and plumbing inspected by quality specialists.
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