Sewer line inspections
Why you should have a sewer line inspected prior to selling or buying a home
If you live in town, you probably pay the city or village for sewer service. That may lead you to believe you’re not responsible for the condition of sewer lines. Actually, property owners ARE responsible for the sewer lines that run from their buildings to the sewer main (usually located in the middle of the street.) If there’s a problem, it’s on the homeowner to fix it.
Home Buyers
It’s important to understand the state of the sewer line from a house you’re hoping to buy. With sewer line replacement costs hitting $10,000 or more, you should know the status of a home’s sewer before you close the sale. A line’s integrity deteriorates over time, so it’s even more important for older homes. A sewer line camera inspection from 3-D Home Inspection will help you to confidently negotiate the cost of any repairs or replacement.
Homeowners
Experts recommend that you have your sewer line inspected every 3 to 5 years. Knowing the status of your sewer line can help you prevent costly repairs or replacement in the future. Not only are repairs expensive, they’re incredibly inconvenient. Since every single pipe in your home drains into that line, your entire plumbing system will be out of commission for the duration of the repair. If you believe that your sewer line may be at risk, you can purchase a warranty policy that will help defray the cost of future repairs.
If you’re planning to sell soon, call us at 630.392.4278 to schedule a sewer line inspection right away. Since sellers often have to bear the cost of any sewer line repairs or replacement, you’ll know your status up front.
3-D Home Inspection now offers sewer line scope inspections as an added service.
HOME BUYERS: Replacing a sewer line can cost $10,000 or more. Make sure a home has clear sewer lines before purchasing by adding a sewer scope inspection to your home inspection.
HOMEOWNERS: Plugged or damaged sewer lines can be repaired if you catch the problem early enough. Prevent costly replacements by having your line inspected every 3 to 5 years. 3-D Home Inspection can perform a sewer scope inspection as a stand-alone service.
contact us today to learn how
To help explain why a sewer line inspection is so important, let’s take a look at an overview of what to expect from a sewer line camera inspection and some signs of sewer line issues.
What If the Home Has a Septic System?
Typical home purchase contracts in Illinois put the responsibility for septic inspections on the seller. If you’re buying a home with septic, ask your realtor to include a seller-funded inspection in the contract. At a minimum, ask to see proof of regular maintenance. Septic systems should be inspected every year and pumped out every three to five years.
Signs of a Possible Sewer Line Problem
If you see one or more of these signs, the line may need repairs or replacement. Contact us today to schedule a video sewer line inspection to see the extent of the problem.
Frequent Backups
If you have slow drains or your toilets back up frequently, your sewer line could be the culprit. Floor drains and basement plumbing are usually the first to show this symptom.
Bad Odors
That sewage smell is never pleasant! If you smell sewage coming from around the outside of a home or from the drains inside, a sewer scope inspection can help determine whether the sewer line is the cause.
Standing Water or Unusually Lush Lawn Areas
If you notice standing water in the lawn, especially when there has not been a recent rainstorm, the sewer line could be leaking. Likewise, an unusually lush, green area in the lawn could be caused by a leak.
Foundation Cracks
Large cracks in your foundation can be a sign of a broken sewer line. The moisture in the soil causes the earth beneath your foundation to shift. Because this can be a serious problem, it’s a good idea to get a non-invasive sewer scope inspection from 3-D Home Inspection right away.
Mold or Mildew
While mold or mildew can have many causes, the moisture from a broken sewer line can easily be the cause. The only real way to eliminate it is to have the sewer line inspected by a qualified professional.
What to Expect From a Sewer Line Inspection
A sewer line scope inspection is the easiest, least intrusive way to determine whether you have damage or breakage in the line. To start, a trained technician locates the access point for your sewer system. Then, he or she will put a video camera down the sewer line and begin recording. (You can see an example in this video.) Once the inspection is complete, the technician will show you the video and explain the findings.
In Illinois, home buyers typically schedule the sewer line inspection as an add-on to their home inspection. 3-D Home Inspection can provide a high-quality sewer line camera inspection in addition to our home inspection. Give us a call today at 630.392.4278 to learn more.