Standard home inspections cover more than everything. One important system that is often overlooked is the sewer line. There will be a sewer area inspection. This professional inspection uses a small camera to check the condition of your home’s underground sewer system, revealing any issues that are not visible during normal walkthroughs.
If you’re buying a home in places like Portland, Denver, or Seattle, especially places that were over 20 years old, or you’re already slowly aware of drains and foul odors, it may be time to schedule sewer ranges. This Redfin article explains what sewer coverage testing is, why it is important, how it works, and what signs you need.
What is sewer range inspection?
A sewer range inspection is a video inspection of your home’s main sewer line. This allows professional inspectors to see hidden issues such as clogs, cracks, tree root intrusions, and pipe collapses. Using a small waterproof camera mounted on flexible cables, inspectors supply ranges to the house cleaning or drainage, capturing real-time footage of the sewer line to the city connection or septic tank.
This type of inspection can help you identify problems that are not visible during standard home inspections, and can save buyers from costly surprises after moving in.
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Why is it important to inspect sewerage areas?
Sewer range inspections can help uncover hidden issues with home sewer systems. This can cost thousands of people and pose serious health or safety risks even if left undetected. Even if everything looks good on the surface, the sewer under your home could be on the brink of damage, clogging, or breakdown. In the sewer area inspection:
Detecting hidden sewer damage invisible during a standard home inspection can potentially discharge the range in the thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Molds, sewage exposure, and harmful gases can protect leaks early by protecting leaks and soil identification or soil movement early.
What’s not going to work, even if there’s nothing?
Skip the sewer inspection,
Expensive repairs: Repairs or replacements of damaged sewer lines cost between $2,500 and $30,000, with some repairs at $300 per $300. Compared to the relatively low cost of sewer inspections, skipping it can leave you with a huge, unexpected bill. Structural and Foundational Damage: A broken sewer system can cause leaks under the home, causing soil changes, foundation cracks, and flooding of the garden or basement. Mold, Pests, and Health Damage: Sewage pipe leaks can promote mold growth and create wet conditions that invite pests such as rodents, fly, and cockroaches. Worse, harmful gases (such as methane and hydrogen sulfide) and dangerous bacteria (including E. coli, salmonella and hepatitis A) can enter the home via damaged strains. Destroyed plumbing: If the sewer recedes, you may lose access to the sink, toilet and shower. That means urgent repairs are needed.
Six signs that sewer inspections are necessary
Before purchasing a home, check if your facility has any signs of potential sewage problems. Some key metrics are:
Lush Grass Patch: Sewage can be a great fertilizer, and random grass patches can look greener than the surrounding area. Big trees in the backyard: Large trees often have large roots. Make sure the roots are not growing into sewer pipes. Houses built over 20 years ago: Houses built over 20 years ago have outdated plumbing materials that often break or crack. Rodent or insect problems: Pests live in sewerage and can enter the home through plumbing. Mold: Damaged sewer pipes can slowly leak water into the house, causing mold to increase. Move or shift the ground surrounding the house: You can move or move the ground if enough water or waste escapes the sewer system.
Expert Tip: Prodigy Plumbers states, “If your home is human, the sewer will be the main artery. Just like your body, your home can give small signs of problems that are likely to affect your system. These signs can save you time and money with bigger repairs.
What to expect during sewer camera inspection?
Sewer inspections must take less than an hour from start to finish. The sewer camera inspection itself only takes about 5-10 minutes. The sewer inspector first flushes the line with running water, clearing up small pieces, lubricating the pipes, ensuring that the plumbing camera doesn’t catch anything. The inspector then locates the sewer access point in the house, inserts a camera, and begins the inspection. Once the process is complete, the inspector will follow up on the findings and discuss the next steps as needed.
What does the inspector want during the sewer camera inspection?
Many inspectors can watch the video feed while performing the inspection. During this time you and your inspector will look for:
The tree roots of major blockages, clogs, or debris of broken or damaged pipes are invading the pipes and sinking the issue of inappropriate plumbing materials in the sewer line (which is likely to be replaced by old pipes such as orange burg pipes and outdated pipes such as clay, plastic, or cast iron).
How much is the sewer area inspection?
Sewer camera inspections usually cost around $125-350. Prices vary based on factors such as the complexity and location of the inspection. The quote from a sewer inspector in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, may differ from that in Salt Lake City, Utah. You may be able to get a lower price by providing bundle deals and working with a home inspector who performs sewer inspections along with traditional home inspections.
How do I maintain my sewage system?
To ensure smooth operation of your home’s sewage system, plumbing experts recommend the following tips:
Pump the septic tank regularly
“I spent over 20 years in the septic system maintenance industry, and I’m still amazed at the number of homeowners whose septic tanks are not pumped regularly. If the septic tanks overflow with drainage soil to immersion, it should cause drainage damage and cause drainage failure. – Carl Perna of the septic tank
Be careful of what you pour into the drain
“Usually, 4-6-6 lateral pipes in diameter” connect individual businesses and homes to public sewer systems. These small pipes can easily become clogged if inappropriate materials such as fat, oil, and grease pour in drains (or garbage disposal). So put fatty kitchen waste in the trash. ” – EnviroSight
Don’t assume everything will be fine
Just because your plumbing is currently working doesn’t mean your sewer is in good condition. Underground problems are often not noticed until major damage occurs. The sewer range can give you a sense of security before closing, or an opportunity to negotiate a repair.
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Final takeaway for sewer range inspection
Experts recommend that sewer coverage be recommended as a proactive approach. It’s a way to understand how your sewer lines work once your sewer has moved. This is a simple inspection that you must avoid emergency repairs, backing up, or even leaving your home immediately after closing. Knowing the condition of your sewer in advance gives you the power to make informed decisions and may negotiate repairs before completing your purchase.
