Did you know that a minor sewer issue can lead to significant damage and require a costly repair?
Some homeowners face unexpected expenses after moving in. One of the reasons could be a fault in the sewer system. The sewer issues can weaken the home’s walls and foundation. Therefore, it is important to get a sewer inspection when buying a house to prevent yourself from facing any major issues in the future.
Lush patches of grass and indentations in your lawn can indicate a leaking sewer. The main reason for sewer problems in Michigan is a freeze-thaw cycle that creates hidden issues in the sewer system.
A certified home inspection company, like Blessed Assurance Home Inspection, helps you identify problems that you cannot see with the naked eye through sewer camera inspection. Once you know what the issues are, you can have the seller repair those or get the repairs done yourself. This way, you can give your family a healthy home to live in.
Importance of a Sewer Camera Inspection when buying a House
In the home buying process, you cannot skip over the sewer system. If you buy a home with a faulty or leaking sewer system, you may end up with a weakened foundation. Some realtors and buyers inspect the sewer system visually. You cannot detect hidden problems that can potentially damage your home’s structure with a visual inspection.
With the help of sewer camera inspection, a home inspector detects all such problems, like blockage, leakage, corrosion, and soil condition around the pipes. Getting a sewer camera inspection helps you make an informed decision about whether you should invest your hard-earned money or back away from the deal.
How Does a Home Inspector Do a Sewer Camera Inspection?
A home inspector first inspects the physical problems, such as lush patches of grass and soggy spots in your lawn. These are the indications of sewer leakage.
An inspector inserts the camera in the sewer line by fixing it on the flexible pipe and detects problems such as cracks, blockage, and corrosion of pipes. These are the hidden problems that can lead to a high maintenance cost. Inspection before investing the money can save you from potential issues that you may face in the future.
If you want to learn more about the role of sewer line inspections in home maintenance, this blog is for you.
Common Reasons for a Damaged Sewer System in Michigan
A sewer system in Michigan faces various problems due to its aging infrastructure, local weather effects, soil conditions, and the lack of maintenance. A locally-trained home inspector can help identify if your sewer system is damaged due to any of the above-mentioned reasons.
Aging Infrastructure
Some homes in Michigan are old and do not meet the current standards, so they are considered aging. These homes come with aging sewer systems, with inherent issues like cracks or collapse in the pipes, which can cause blockages and leaks in the sewer system.
Tree Roots
A tree’s root radius grows in search of vital nutrients and water. If you have an old tree, its root radius could be in meters. If you have a tree that’s in relative proximity to the sewer pipe, there’s a chance its roots will have damaged the pipe. This could be the reason for blockage and leakages in the sewer line.
Pipe Corrosion
In older homes, iron pipes were used in the sewer system. We know how iron rusts in moisture. So, as the sewer system gets older, the non-reactive lining in the pipes erodes. This allows water to come in contact with the iron, which leads to corrosion and then cracks or leakage.
Flooding and Backups
The older sewer pipes are clogged or blocked at various points. And when there’s flooding, an excessive amount of water has to pass through these constricted pipes. Sometimes, the flow is too much, and water backs up into the home, causing a foul smell and even mold.
Grease or Debris of a Home
Over time, the grease and debris block the sewer pipes, which makes water drainage difficult even when there’s no flooding. This slow flow can cause a myriad of problems over the years.
Freezing and Thawing
The cold winter of Michigan causes freezing and thawing cycles. This shift in the surrounding soil and the sewer pipes, themselves, can damage the sewer system.
Neglecting the Maintenance of the Sewer System
Lack of maintenance and care leads to potential problems in the sewer system. A sewer inspector identifies all the hidden problems in the inspection assessment and ensures that wastewater can flow smoothly without disturbing the home’s infrastructure.
Is Sewer Camera Inspection Worth it?
The sewer inspection is worth it because it helps identify issues in the sewer system that the naked eye cannot detect. Yes, you might notice lush green grass around the sewer pipe, but you cannot say with certainty what’s causing this grass to grow.
And even if you could pinpoint that the issue is due to the sewer system, you cannot be sure of the extent. You need professional help in assessing the damage. Once you have all the critical information, you can make an informed decision.
If the sewer camera inspection shows there’s no damage, you can be comfortable in your decisions and be confident that you’re getting a well-maintained home for your family.
Final Words
A sewer camera inspection plays an essential role in the home-buying process. It determines the current condition of the sewer lines.
With this, a home inspector detects all the critical problems, such as cracks, corrosion, and pipe blockage. Once you know about the health of your dream home’s sewer system, you can make the right decision. You will have the negotiation leverage that you can use to bring the asking price down or even back out of the deal if the repairs cost too much.
That’s why you can’t compromise on the quality of the sewer scope inspection. We strongly recommend that you look for a certified home inspection company like Blessed Assurance Home Inspection before closing the deal. Our home inspection services, coupled with a thorough sewer scope inspection, can give you all the info you need before you make the biggest investment of your life.
