Nowadays, most home buyers wouldn’t think about closing their purchase before getting a general house inspection — and the buyer, typically, is understanding of this. This is particularly true with older homes; However, many elect to have newer buildings examined by an independent third party. While inspections are excellent for discovering any existing and potential problems, as well as helping sellers accurately price their homes, most home inspectors fail to examine sewer lines, which can turn out to be a critical — and expensive — oversight.
Home inspectors typically report on current home system conditions while estimating the “service life” expectancy of major components. Types of home inspections include the framing and structure of a residence, the roof, as well as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems. Reports from inspections identify issues that can establish repair or replacement price adjustments in the negotiation period. However, while a home inspector may jot down a dripping faucet, they may not catch its underlying cause — which can be discovered via a sewer line video inspection.
Why Would Inspectors Overlook Sewer Systems?
Inspectors could potentially overlook the sewer system for a few reasons; the first being the fact that the majority of the sewer system lies underneath the ground; a certain out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach. Secondly, most home inspectors don’t have the specialized equipment or knowledge needed to do a proper sewer line inspection.
While many inspectors are extremely competent and have a considerable amount of general building knowledge, it can be challenging to be an expert when considering how many pieces there are in a home’s system, namely plumbing. Unfortunately, some inspectors fail to consider the sewer lines as an extension of the plumbing system. A serious problem can rise to the surface, sometimes literally, right after selling your home or buying one. Someone has to pay for it, which is when the finger-pointing commences. However, emergencies, setbacks, and backups can be prevented if a sewer line inspection had been done previous to the property transfer.
Is a Sewer Line Video Inspection Mandatory When Buying or Selling a Home?
Yes and no. Municipalities all across Pennsylvania are beginning to pass sewer pipe inspection ordinances before home transactions — mandating wise investments that protect both the seller and the buyer and provide a service that aims to achieve transparency and safety for all. However, for areas where it is not required, sewer line video inspections remain advisable.
When faced with buying or selling a home, there are plenty of things on your checklist before keys are handed off — and it’s crucial to get experts to help! For more information about all of our sewer services in Pittsburgh, including drain cleaning and line repair, reach out to Mister Sewer today.