Sewer line issues are one of the most expensive home repairs for homeowners, says Stewart Property Management team. This is because of the difficult process of inspecting the sewer line to assess its condition before the homeowner can begin the tedious task of replacing their damaged sewer line.
Also, as long as a sewer line is malfunctioning, the people who live in that home will have trouble using most, if not all, of the plumbing fixtures. In severe cases of sewer line trouble, the toilet will be unusable, and sewage may even back up into the home.
To make it worse, sewer line problems are not always visible. The plumbing fixtures in a home may appear to be working well even when the sewer line is on the verge of failure. This is why several new homeowners fall into the trap of buying a home with sewer line issues.
As an intending homeowner, one of the key things you want to look at in any home you are thinking of buying is the condition of the sewer system. Failing to do this might result in long-term plumbing issues for your family and avoidable sewer repair costs.
Will the home inspection not reveal the sewer line issues in a home?
Sadly, the answer is NO. This is because professional home inspectors are not mandated to inspect a home’s sewer system. Home inspectors are not required by law to evaluate the condition of systems that are not readily accessible or that pose a safety risk.
If the system is underground, like the sewer line, the home inspector will not inspect it. The inspector may see signs of possible sewer line damage in the home and flag them. The best the home inspector can do is recommend a professional sewer camera inspection.
Furthermore, professional home inspectors do not have the expertise or tools to evaluate the condition of your sewer line. To get accurate information on the status of the sewer line, you need a plumber with the right tools, expertise, and experience.
Why sewer line inspection is essential when buying a home
Sellers with serious sewer line issues in their homes may want to avoid the cost of fixing those problems. As a result, they will try to hide the sewer line problems from potential buyers or disguise the issues by doing cosmetic repairs on the sewer line.
Secondly, sewer line problems are the responsibility of the homeowner. The city is only responsible for the section of the sewer line that runs from the edge of your property to the middle of the street. New homeowners cannot transfer this burden to someone else.
Thirdly, sewer line repairs or replacement is typically not included in your homeowner’s insurance. Even when the policy covers sewer line damage, it can only provide coverage for problems caused by sudden damage, not issues resulting from gradual wear and tear.
What is sewer camera inspection, and why do you need it?
A sewer camera inspection is the most efficient and cost-effective way to inspect a sewer line. The inspection uses a specialized camera attached to the end of a flexible cable, which is inserted into the sewer line via a cleanout or other access point.
The special waterproof camera is worked into the length of the sewer line by a plumber. While traveling through the pipes, it captures the inside of the sewer line in high resolution. This video is sent in real-time to an above-ground screen monitored by the plumber.
The benefits of sewer camera inspection for new homeowners include:
- It is non-invasive
There is no need to dig up the sewer line to inspect it physically. Since assessing the sewer line does not damage the seller’s property, the seller cannot object to the buyer conducting the inspection.
- It is fast and affordable
A sewer camera inspection can be completed within hours. It will not unduly prolong the home-buying process. Furthermore, sewer camera inspections are not costly, especially compared to how much money they can save you.
- It is accurate
Sewer camera inspections allow plumbers to see the problems inside a sewer line from close quarters. They can do a more accurate analysis of the issues. Also, the camera’s geolocation capabilities mean the location of those problems can be pinpointed.
- A negotiating tool
Buyers can use the sewer camera inspection report to negotiate more favorable terms with the seller. Because they have a clear picture of the sewer line issues, they can make better decisions.
Lastly, how much should you expect to pay for a sewer camera inspection? The cost varies across locations, but it ranges between $250 and $500. The length and design of the home’s sewer system play a major role in how much you spend on the inspection.
Sewer camera inspections are all about minimizing risk when making one of the biggest investments of your life. Do not commit to buying a home without first doing a sewer camera inspection. You could be saving yourself tens of thousands of dollars.