Albert Lea Home Inspection: Sewer Scope Inspection – 507-721-0122

Sewer Inspection 101: Why Homeowners Should Always Get a Sewer Inspection Before Purchasing

 

There is so much forethought that goes into choosing the right home; however, what many prospective property owners overlook is the fact that they are actually responsible for much more than the walls and flooring that make up their home.

The homeowners task list of responsibilities span all the way down to the sewer line from the structure to the city main. Any malfunction to these sewer laterals can result in sewage backing up into the house, which can cause costly property damage to the home. This is not just a few hundred dollars worth of damage; but potentially thousands of dollars worth of property damage, which can be a very unpleasant and unexpected upset for a family that has just dropped quite a bit of money moving in.

In order to better understand just what a certified inspector should be looking for in a sewer line inspection, a prospective homeowner should know the difference between backups and backflows:

Sewer backups

A backup happens when waste or debris collects and obstructs a home’s plumbing system, which results in clogged, slow moving drains. The backup occurs on the homeowner’s property and the expense and responsibility of cleaning the backup and repairing the damages lie with the homeowner.

Backflows:

Backflows tend to be much less common. They occur when water or waste materials come up through the drain in the sink, bathtub, or toilet when the home’s plumbing system is not being used. Typically this happens when the city main is blocked and wastewater is backing the home’s lateral line. When this happens, the local sewer sanitation district should be called immediately.

Regardless of who’s responsibility it is, the homeowner must take action quickly in order to prevent the damage from getting out of control. Backflows can cause serious damage such as flooding the entire home. This can even cause a homeowner to move off the property during the restoration. The stress and hassle of dealing with the insurance company after the cost of restoration can be a major headache, especially after just having moved in.

Having a certified sewer scope of your new potential home is a proactive way to make an educated buying decision, prepare for upcoming maintenance and properly budget for any necessary repairs.