Inspect Your Sewer Before You Buy Your Home!

When purchasing a home, there is often a laundry list of items that need to be inspected for quality and integrity in the Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR areas. One of these things is a sewer inspection. A sewer inspection as part of a complete new home examination is generally overlooked, and this could cost you thousands down the road. If you are considering the purchase of a home, or are going through the home buying process, it is in your best interest to get a thorough sewer inspection so you know what you are getting into, especially if it is an older home.

Sewer Inspections Every 20 Years

You should get a sewer inspection before purchasing a new home, and then again in 20 year increments. Overtime, your sewer system can become affected by environmental factors and it is always best to identify potential issues to prevent complete sewer system failure. One of the most common environmental factors that could potentially influence the integrity of your sewer system is the growth of tree roots. It is not uncommon for tree roots to damage or compromise the overall performance of a sewer system. Catching issues with tree roots before they cause significant damage to your sewer system can save you a considerable amount of money.

Another issue with sewer systems in older homes is the possibility that there may still be a septic tank or cesspool that is unscathed. This is important information that you should know before you commit to the purchase of an older home.

The evolution of sewer systems has resulted in new best practices for maintaining a healthy and optimally performing sewer system. This includes quality of materials used, installation practices and maintenance requirements. It is important for consumers to know that many homes built 50-60 years ago have poorly constructed sewer systems that no longer meet industry standards for infrastructure and performance.

Sewer Line Inspection

After you have chosen a trusted plumbing company to conduct your pre-purchase sewer inspection, make sure they use video inspection technology for the job. With video technology for sewer inspections, you will be able to see any potential issues for yourself. This state of the art plumbing technology allows for the identification of potential sewer system infrastructure issues and existing issues as well. The inspection will also be able to assess the materials the system was constructed with, the current overall condition of the system and suggestions to preserve performance. The money spent on a sewer inspection will be money well spent; this is a protective measure that should always be included in any home buying process.