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I made it grayscale because it was
grossing me out in color |
Of all the homeowner headaches there can be, sewer backups top them all. Not only do you have to get rid of the disgusting water and waste but anything that was submerged, including flooring and drywall. Because the sewer line is hidden and not exciting it's often neglected by owners and buyers alike.
I always recommend to buyers that they add a sewer scope to their home inspection. Often inspectors will offer package discounts that make this additional work quite affordable. Spending a hundred or two now to diagnose a problem that could cost $10,000 - $20,000 down the line is well worth it.
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| Digging down to the sewer line |
Try to find a company that only does inspections and not repairs, otherwise you might find that the company pushes you toward unnecessary replacements. In certain houses, where the sewer line may be under the home's concrete slab, it's important to really understand if an issue can be addressed with maintenance alone or if jackhammering is in order.
If the line has a crack, water can be seeping into the ground under the pipe which may cause settling. The settling can then cause the sewer line to sink or even break. If the line becomes offset, the problem can get pretty serious and expensive, requiring the area be dug up and the portion replaced. If your line is still in good shape, you may consider a liner. These can be blown into the line at one end and, with the help of a chemical soaking, become impermeable to roots.
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| Sewer cleaning blade |
If the line just needs a good cleaning, many companies offer a high-pressure water cleaning. I recently had an industry expert tell me that this method is inadequate because most will use the water to push debris down the line when it is designed to pull. He recommended a 4" flexible knife blade to fit into the line and scrape the build-up off of the pipe walls. I've noticed now that some agents will even specifically request this method on their Inspection Objection.
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| Sewer line liners |
It's also important to maintain these lines and avoid flushing any materials besides toilet paper. I've also been cautioned not to treat my garbage disposal like a food processor - it may chop the food into little bits, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to make it all the way down the sewer line. The best practice is to scrape any food that you can into the garbage before washing off your plate. I know, it's kind of like washing your dishes before you put them into the dishwasher, but it'll be worth it in the long run.
It's also a good idea to check your insurance coverage for water-related disasters. Depending on where the water comes from and what caused the leak or back-up, most regular policies don't cover the damage. Ask your agent specifically for what is currently covered under your policy and if you can purchase riders for additional issues.
If you need the names of a few good inspectors, sewer scopers or cleaners, let me know!
I would love to help you with your real estate journey.
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