A general home inspection is the first thing on your mind when purchasing a new house. People often get inspections to ensure that the structural integrity of the house is intact but getting a sewer inspection is rare. People don’t pay much attention to the sewer drainage but it is a very important part of any house and should be in the perfect condition. Getting the sewer drainage inspected can save you from much larger expenses down the road.
Reasons to carry out a sewer inspection
If you are buying a house that is older than 20 years, you should absolutely consider getting a sewer inspection. Even if the sewer line is new, the property is old and so there is a risk of running into sewage issues. Plant roots and vegetation can enter the sewage line and cause issues down the road. If your house was built before the city sewers were created, it might have originally used a cesspool. These should have been destroyed when the public sewer system was put in, but often they were left in place and just linked up to the system. Similarly, plenty of houses from the 50s were constructed with pipes made from tar paper, which can fall apart over time. If your home relies on tar paper sewer lines, then a complete replacement is vital. The only way to discover how your sewer system is constructed is with a sewer camera inspection.
What to Expect During Your Sewer Drainage Inspection
Sewer inspections use a video camera attached to a long, flexible tube called a snake, which is inserted into your drains. Your sewer inspection company will maneuver this gadget through the pipes and into the sewer, providing a live feed of the state of your plumbing. Sewer inspectors will need to investigate your home to find the best access point. As the inspection goes on, any blockages or damages will be marked on the floor, usually with tape. Your sewer inspection will find out whether your pipes are blocked or clogged in any way, as well as provide an overall impression of the condition of your sewage system. You’ll also be able to discover what sort of system you have in place, what material it was constructed with, and how modern your plumbing is. Some plumbing materials can stand the test of time, but others will require replacement even if they aren’t currently damaged.
