The Importance of a Sewer Inspection Before Purchasing a Home
There’s a lot that goes into the process of purchasing a home. And while there’s a lot of discourse about the buyer’s market and getting financing, there’s another aspect of the purchasing process that’s just as important, and that’s getting the sewer properly inspected. A sewer inspection is an excellent preventive measure that can alert you to a potential problem; having a backup issue and a sewer line replaced can be costly. It’s the difference between paying a few hundred dollars for an inspection and paying thousands for a repair.
Tracing the Problem at its Roots
Believe it or not, one of the biggest causes of sewer problems stems from tree roots. Roots act as reservoirs that seek out water for trees to grow and sustain themselves. Tree roots tend to gravitate towards sewer lines because they’re sources of water. If gone unnoticed, roots can actually cause obstructions and backups by balling up inside sewer lines.
Materials
Sewer lines are typically made from four different types of materials. Depending on how old your house is, there’s a good chance that one of these four was used in the construction of your lines.
Clay Tile – These were primarily attached to homes constructed before 1970, there are several spaces in between the tiles for obtrusions to occur, so it’s best to snake and inspect them every six months.
Orangeburg Pipe – This alternative to a metal-based pipeline was mainly used from the years between 1945 and 1972. It’s no longer used and is expected to have a life expectancy of no more than fifty years.
Thin-Walled PVC Pipe – Introduced during the 1980s, thin-walled PVC pipe is effective IN its task, but because of its thin structure tends to be brittle over time and experiences the same problems as Orangeburg and Clay.
Thick Walled 40 PVC Pipe – Also appearing during the 1980s, this is the most reliable and effective material used in sewer lines. Resistant to high pressure, blockage, and breakdowns, many modern construction companies attest to its efficiency and shelf life.
Age Isn’t a Factor in Inspection
Whether your house was built several decades ago or is relatively new, a sewer line inspection is an essential part of home ownership. An inspection will allow you to tell what type of maintenance you’ll be needing in the immediate future and if there are any potential issues that need to be dealt with right away. Many problems occur when the number of people in a home increases, so be wary of this when purchasing a home. It’s important to have the inspection done beforehand because homeowner’s insurance usually doesn’t cover sewer line replacement. It’s a matter of paying a little bit now or paying a lot later.
Ryan’s Plumbing
If you live in the Sarasota area, Ryan’s Plumbing will be glad to lend our experience and expertise. For more information about us, visit ryansplumbing.com.
