Buying a home is a major investment, and a standard home inspection is an important part of understanding the condition of the property. But there’s one important area that may not receive a detailed inspection: the sewer line.
The main sewer line is largely hidden underground, so serious problems aren’t always visible during a walkthrough or standard home inspection. A home may have working sinks and toilets on inspection day while still having developing problems farther down the sewer line.
That’s why having the sewer line inspected can be a smart step before purchasing a home—especially an older property.
A sewer line inspection typically involves inserting a specialized camera into the home’s sewer line. The camera allows a plumbing professional to view the inside of the pipe and look for visible problems that might otherwise remain hidden underground.
Depending on access and conditions, an inspection may reveal issues such as:
Knowing about these conditions before purchasing a home can give you a better understanding of the plumbing system you’re inheriting.
A general home inspector evaluates many different parts of a property, but a standard inspection typically doesn’t provide the same view inside an underground sewer line that a dedicated sewer camera inspection can provide.
A sink that drains normally doesn’t necessarily tell you what condition the sewer line is in farther downstream.
Problems can develop underground for years before they become obvious inside the home. By the time sewage begins backing up into a basement, shower, floor drain, or other fixture, the problem may already require significant attention.
Sewer inspections can be useful for many properties, but they are particularly worth considering when buying an older home.
The age of the house may give you clues about the types of plumbing materials that could be present, but age alone doesn’t tell you their condition.
Older sewer lines may have experienced decades of:
Don’t assume a sewer line is in good condition simply because the home’s plumbing appears to work normally.
Tree roots are one of the better-known causes of sewer line problems.
Roots naturally seek moisture and may enter a sewer line through cracks, gaps, or deteriorating joints. Once inside, they can continue growing and collect waste and debris, eventually restricting flow through the pipe.
A property with mature trees can be beautiful, but those trees are also one reason you may want to know what’s happening underground before purchasing the home.
Underground pipes can shift or deteriorate over time.
Changes in the surrounding soil, settling, freeze-and-thaw cycles, age, and other conditions can contribute to cracks or sections of pipe becoming misaligned.
Damage may interfere with proper drainage and can eventually contribute to recurring sewer problems.
A camera inspection provides a much better look at the condition of the line than simply testing whether a toilet flushes or sink drains.
A sewer line should maintain the proper slope so wastewater can move toward the municipal sewer or other appropriate destination.
When a section of pipe settles or sags, it can create a low area sometimes referred to as a belly. Water and waste can collect in that section rather than flowing properly through the line.
Depending on the severity, this can contribute to recurring drainage problems and blockages.
If you know the property has experienced previous sewer problems, ask what work was performed and whether documentation is available.
A repair isn’t necessarily a reason to avoid buying the house. In fact, properly completed sewer work may mean a significant problem has already been addressed.
The important thing is understanding the current condition of the line rather than making assumptions based on its history.
The cost of repairing a sewer line varies considerably depending on the problem, location, accessibility, pipe material, length of damaged pipe, and repair method required.
That’s precisely why identifying a problem before purchasing the property can be valuable.
If an inspection discovers a significant issue, you can discuss the findings with the appropriate real estate and inspection professionals before completing the purchase. Having more information allows you to make a better-informed decision about the property.
If you’re touring a home, pay attention to possible warning signs such as:
One symptom doesn’t necessarily prove that the main sewer line is damaged. However, recurring or widespread drainage problems deserve further investigation.
If you’re already experiencing these issues in your current home, professional drain and sewer service can help identify what’s causing the problem.
For many buyers, the relatively small step of investigating the sewer line can provide valuable information about a part of the property that’s otherwise difficult to see.
It’s especially worth considering when:
A sewer inspection can’t guarantee that a future plumbing problem will never occur, but it can help uncover visible conditions before you take ownership of the property.
A home’s kitchen, bathrooms, and fixtures may look great while expensive plumbing problems remain hidden behind walls or underground.
If you’re buying a home in Belleville, IL or the surrounding Metro East, consider having the plumbing and sewer system evaluated before closing.
Ehret Inc. provides professional plumbing services and can help identify potential problems with drains, sewer lines, leaks, water heaters, and other parts of a home’s plumbing system.
Schedule a plumbing inspection with Ehret Inc. or call (618) 233-1018 to learn more.
