You might think you have scheduled a home inspection, so now you can tick off the due diligence needed before buying a home. But, no, not yet. A standard home inspection plays a significant part in providing valuable insights into your prospective home’s current condition – but most of the time, there’s something more to the story. Now, the reason why the home inspection doesn’t cover it is simple: it’s beyond the inspection’s scope. So, if you’re buying a home built over 20 years ago, besides investing in a home inspection, you must also invest in a sewer scope inspection.
A sewer scope inspection ensures that you don’t meet any gross issues later on, which don’t only affect your home’s aesthetics but also pose health risks. FYI, the EPA estimates that 23,000 to 75,000 Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) per year in the U.S. These SSOs can contaminate the environment and pose health risks. If your sewer system has issues, there’s a high chance that these SSOs will happen in your backyard when you expect the least. So, with a sewer scope inspection, you can handle such unforeseen circumstances before they happen. The inspection will reveal any issues with the home’s sewage system. If the problem is significant, you can choose not to proceed with the sale. However, if it is just a minor issue, you can discuss it with the seller, negotiate the selling price, or get it repaired before moving in.
A sewer scope inspection can reveal issues in your prospective home’s sewage system, and such problems can also cost you thousands of dollars (if left untreated). This blog will highlight (more) benefits of getting a sewer scope inspection.
Why Is A Sewer Inspection Important?
The purpose of a sewer inspection is similar to that of a home inspection: giving you a better idea of the home’s overall condition. In fact, without a sewer inspection, you might buy a house with a faulty sewer system, which can lead to costly and dangerous issues later. Here’s a breakdown of the potential benefits of a sewer inspection.
Saving the Property from Structural Risks
During a sewer scope inspection, sewer lines are thoroughly inspected to identify issues like:
Leaks
Blockages
Structural damage
These are clear indicators of costly repairs or the foundation is compromised. Identifying these issues early prevents sewage backups, leading to extensive water damage and weakening the property’s structural integrity over time. Addressing these issues promptly not only preserves the functionality of the plumbing but also ensures the overall health and longevity of the building.
Prevents Health Risks
By thoroughly examining the sewer system during the sewer scope inspection, inspectors identify potential sources of contamination, such as sewage leaks or backups. These issues can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens into the living environment, posing serious health risks to occupants. With the inspection in place, you get to know about these problems beforehand and can ask the seller to resolve them before closing the deal. This will help ensure clean and sanitary conditions within the property. All of this helps mitigate the spread of diseases and prevent exposure to hazardous substances that can affect respiratory health and overall well-being.
Expensive Repairs
If you think the sewer scope inspection is an additional expense, then you should know that the cost of a sewer scope inspection is negligible compared to repairing a broken sewer line. On average, repairing a broken sewer pipe can cost between $1,500 and $4,000, while replacing sewer drains can range from $2,500 to $30,000 (even more). Also, if the damage is severe enough, then there is a chance that you will be paying thousands of dollars to repair problems like foundation issues, mold remediation, etc.
Skipping a sewer inspection just because your plumbing inspection gave positive results isn’t a smart choice. Everything above the ground might look perfect, but there might be a disaster under the home. So, getting a sewer scope inspection is the best, easiest, and least expensive way to determine the condition of sewer lines.
Identifies Lack of Access to Plumbing
When you move into a home, one thing you don’t want to do is to move out for some time because your home’s plumbing isn’t functioning. Functional plumbing is an important part of a functioning household. If the sewage line is broken or backed up, it will most likely affect the home’s entire plumbing system. If this is the case with your prospective home, the inspector will inform you beforehand.
An affected plumbing system means the toilets won’t be functional, and showers and sinks won’t drain. So, here’s a reminder that if you are buying a home and aren’t getting its sewer line inspected, you’re putting yourself at risk for emergency repairs or sewage backups that you must have known about before buying the house.
Conclusion
The cost of a sewer scope inspection ranges in hundreds of dollars. This depends on different factors like location, the sewer line length, and the inspection's complexity. The inspection generally thoroughly examines the sewer line using a specialized camera, which allows inspectors to identify issues such as blockages, leaks, cracks, and tree root intrusions. It includes a detailed report with video footage and recommendations for necessary repairs or maintenance. So, when you invest in a sewer scope inspection, you save a significant amount of money in the long run by identifying potential problems early, preventing extensive damage, and ensuring the proper functioning of the sewer system.
Ensure your future home's safety and functionality with Homesight, Inc! Our expert team offers comprehensive sewer line video inspections to detect and address potential issues before they become costly problems. Using state-of-the-art camera technology, we provide a thorough assessment of your sewer system, identifying blockages, leaks, and other concerns with precision. Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule your sewer line video inspection with Homesight, Inc. today and protect your home from unexpected plumbing issues!
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