Why Realtors Recommend Sewer Line Inspections
If you’re buying a home, regardless of the home’s age, you should know the condition of the sewer line before you sign the dotted line. Major sewer line repairs can be costly, so the best time to discover a problem as a home buyer is during an inexpensive sewer line inspection.
A regular home inspection will not tell you the condition of your sewer lines. Your home inspector may check the water pressure and the condition of the water heater, as well as make sure that nothing is leaking throughout the home. However, if the inspector does find a leak, they may not always be able to pinpoint its underlying cause. This is where a sewer line inspector comes in.
It’s best to schedule the sewer line inspection at the same time as your general home inspection. This way, any issues with the sewer line will be documented on the general inspection report and can be shared with your real estate agent and the current owners of the home.
During the sewer line inspection, a technician uses a sewer scope, which is a small video camera attached to a long cable. The technician feeds the camera through the sewer line to look for breaks and blockages; the camera continues until a main sewer line or obstruction is hit. A recording of the video will be given to you after the inspection is completed.
Common Sewer Line Problems
Homes of all ages can experience sewer line problems—the most common being tree root nets, broken pipes from tree roots and old pipes. Tree roots seek water, so they tend to grow towards sewer pipes. If small enough, a tree root may work its way into a seam or crack in a sewer pipe.
As the root grows, it creates a net that stops debris from flowing properly. Even if you have a root cut out, the root can grow back, causing bigger cracks and holes in the pipe. Holes and cracks of this size can allow more roots into the pipe, or cause major flooding of a basement or lawn.
Besides natural nuisances, the material that the pipes are made of can also cause many issues. Older homes that were built 50 or more years ago most likely won’t have the Thick-Walled Schedule 40 PVC pipe that builders typically use today. If the pipes are made out of cast iron, they can suffer from corrosion, causing mineral build-up inside the pipes that reduces water flow. If clay tile is used, there is great potential for root intrusion, as there are typically small gaps at each pipe union.
Orangeburg pipe is typically used in homes built between 1945 and 1972. Orangeburg is no longer used, as its fibrous nature makes snaking and hydro-jetting a problem; snaking can tear the line, and the pressure of a hydro jet can burst the line.
Thin-Walled PVC pipe was introduced in the 1980s; this type of pipe is seamless, rigid and affordable. However, early versions of PVC sewer lines were very thin and could fail under pressure. Shortly after Thin-Walled PVC was introduced, Thick-Walled Schedule 40 PVC was invented and became the product of choice. Schedule 40 is what is used today, as it is more resistant to pressure and breakage.
Post-1980’s homes can have sewage line problems as well. Problems with modern homes mostly occur due to installation rather than materials. Something as simple as a rock being near the pipe can cause major damage; the pressure from the soil will press the rock into the pipe, causing the pipe to crack.
Also, problems with sewer lines often occur when there is a change in volume that the line is handling. If a new owner moves into a house with more members in their family than the previous owners, plumbing will be used more often. This added volume can cause a damaged or constricted line to finally back up.
Get Your Sewer Lines Checked!
No matter the age of your home, it is important to have a sewer line inspection performed. An inspection will determine what type of sewer line you have and the condition of that line, allowing you to assess the type and scale of maintenance you’ll need moving forward. If the line is damaged or deteriorating, you’ll want the opportunity to address these issues before closing on a home. After all, you can’t put a price tag on peace of mind; sewer line inspections are affordable, but sewage repairs can be extremely expensive.
Homeowners have relied on Lenox Plumbing since 2009 for professional advice on all types of drain cleaning and plumbing services. When shopping for a new home, give us a call; our camera drain line inspection process will give you peace of mind as you make this important investment.
