by Teryn Bonime www.teryndowntheroad.com
Typically your home’s sewer line goes from your house to the street where it ties into the public sewer system. In many areas the homeowner is responsible for their line to the middle of the street. So depending on the location of the issue, you may or may not be responsible for a repair.
A sewer line can be made up of many different types of pipe including cast iron, plastic (ABS, PVC), and Orangeburg (like tarpaper rolled up and laminated with asphalt). Each type of pipe has its own set of issues.
An Orangeburg pipe, although very strong can be crushed. A cast iron pipe can show deterioration over the years. A plastic pipe can have a pitch problem with the flow backing up. All of these pipes have potential for root penetration which causes blockage and backups. A new sewer line may not even be hooked up. (I have a friend who decided to scope her house “just for fun” and learned that her line had never been attached to the public sewer system. This was after years and years of owning her home!)
In Portland, where I started my real estate business, sewer scopes are done on pretty much every home purchase. The cost is $100. In Ventura County, sewer scopes are rare. (Unless I am working with you on a home purchase!) Typically they cost $250 because there is so little competition of service providers. (The vendor I like to use is $99.)
You’ll want a color camera and a copy of the scope on DVD. Also, scope every line on the property which could include a granny flat or an additional sewer line if the house is large.
What if you find nothing wrong? Then yahoo! But what if you DO find something wrong? Sewer line repairs are costly. These lines can be deep in the ground and can be very long. Cost can run into the thousands of dollars. Whether the repair is to “burst” the pipe with new line or cut out and replace sections, it can add up quickly. As for roots, well they might seem like a minor issue. But consider this – roots don’t just go away, they get worse.
There are some home warranties that will cover sewer backups so read the small print before you pull out the checkbook, or your hair!
I’m no sewer scope expert however I’ve overseen repairs on three of my own homes and have negotiated repairs on countless client properties. I’ve seen more sewer scopes than I care to admit. Crushed lines, major root penetration, standing water and rodents. It sure isn’t pretty. But I do believe doing a sewer scope is as important as doing a home inspection before you buy!
Photo courtesy of Dillon Scheps!
