Purchasing a new home for yourself and your family is exciting. But at the same time, it is a big responsibility for you as a decision-maker. You must ensure that the property is worth buying from all the important aspects.

Here comes the role of home inspection that helps you understand the current condition of the property you buy.

Many people opt for a general home inspection as a formality in the excitement of buying a new home. However, they ignore inspecting sewer lines which costs them in the future.

In this article, you will understand the reasons to order lateral sewer line inspection and its importance. Let’s begin with understanding the problems associated with the sewer line.

Problems Related to the Sewer Line

1. General Wear and Tear
2. Cracked Sewer Line
3. Disconnected Sewer Line
4. Collapsed Sewer Line
5. Pitted Sewer Line
6. Blockages Arising from House Plumbing
7. Lack of Proper Installation
8. Outdated Materials
9. Post-Construction Damage
10. Tree Roots

You might be surprised to know that many of the above problems are also observed even in the case of new constructions.

Sewer Line Inspection

A sewer line inspection provides an inside look into a home’s sewer lines. A professional sewer inspector usually performs this inspection for your home. They begin with attaching a plumbing camera to a long, flexible cable and inserting it into your home’s drainpipe. The inspector can check for blockages, broken pipes, or other issues related to the sewage system on the monitor where the scoping camera streams the video.

What You Should Know About Sewer Line Inspection

Although a sewer scope is a tool, it is commonly considered a camera-led inspection. It involves scoping your lateral sewer line only. The scope begins at the house and navigates via a long cable line until your lateral sewer line ends. This inspection doesn’t include scoping all plumbing throughout your home.

The pipe that carries all your wastewater from the home to the septic tank or main sewer line is your lateral sewer line. This line is owned by the homeowner, who is responsible for the maintenance of this line. The main sewer line carries the wastewater from your lateral sewer line to the municipality. Again, this line is owned by the city, and the municipality is responsible for maintaining this line.

5 Reasons to Order a Lateral Sewer Line Inspection

The following five reasons highlight the importance of lateral sewer line inspection. Hence, you should order it before purchasing a new home.

1. General Inspection Doesn’t Cover This

If you think of a general home inspection, it doesn’t go below the surface. However, adding a sewer line inspection that can reveal a lot more about the property is always recommended. Thus lateral sewer line inspection complements your general home inspection.

2. It Saves the Cost of Repairs

With this inspection, you’ll get to know the problems that might hamper future performance, and you can prevent them in advance. In addition, neglecting this inspection will bear the cost of repairs related to the sewer line. So go for it to save cost.

3. Lateral Sewer Line is Your Responsibility

The homeowner owns the lateral sewer line, and it’s their responsibility. However, you also become the line-owner when you buy a property. So it is recommended that you order a lateral sewer line inspection before purchasing a property.

4. It Protects Buyer’s Interest

The seller may provide you with the details of all known defects. But there’s a possibility that some defects may remain unknown to them, and so to you. This inspection protects the buyer’s best interest by revealing these hidden defects before the contract is signed.

5. It Protects You from Structural & Health Risks

With this inspection, you can avoid structural risks such as flooding in the home or backyard, mold growth, and cracks in your home’s foundation. In addition, with this inspection, you can avoid non-hygienic conditions and their health risks.

I hope you’ve understood the significance of lateral sewer line inspection during the home inspection process! Then, make a wise decision and order your lateral sewer line inspection with Atlantic Building Inspections to avail yourself of professional services.