Today’s homebuyers would not consider buying a home without having it inspected. This is especially true for older homes. However, many people also opt to have new buildings inspected independently by an independent third party. Home inspections Fort Myers can be a great way to find potential and existing problems. Most home inspectors make a costly and critical mistake by failing to inspect the plumbing.
The home inspector will generally assess the condition of the home. They estimate the expected life expectancy for the most critical components. The home inspection can be done on the entire frame, roof, structure, building envelope, and mechanical systems. The inspection reports often identify problems that can lead to a reduction in the price of repair or replacement. A home inspector may not find the source of a dripping faucet even if they notice it.
Why People Hire Home Inspections Fort Myers FL
Two reasons can cause inspectors to overlook the sewage system: The first is the fact that underground sewage systems are the most common. It is out of sight and out of memory. A second reason is that most home inspectors don’t have the knowledge or equipment necessary to inspect sewers properly.
This is no reproach for home inspectors. Not even close. A lot of inspectors are very competent and have extensive construction knowledge. When you consider the number of components that go into a home’s system, it’s difficult to be an expert. A home inspections Fort Myers FL is complex enough that a good inspector will know which plumbing systems need to be checked before purchasing them.
Some inspectors don’t see the sewers as an extension of the plumbing system. This is when problems begin to pile up. A serious plumbing problem can develop as soon as you move into your newly purchased house. The problem must be paid for by someone, then everyone is responsible. It could have been avoided if someone had done a simple sewer inspection.
Repairs to Ducts Can Be Very Expensive
You might be asking, “Do I need to have a sewer inspection before buying a house?” Yes. The answer is yes. The sewer line is an important part of the inspections you should get when purchasing a home. First-time homebuyers should inspect the sewer. While home inspections Fort Myers are inexpensive, repairs to sewers can be very costly. It is a waste of money to repair something you could have prevented with a simple inspection.
Repairing your sewer line is not expensive. Clearing a clog can cost as little as $100. It can cost thousands to remove the clog and replace it. Repair costs depend on the state of the sewer line, where the problem is located, and what the cause of the problem is.
Tree roots are the main cause of blocked drains, no pun intended. With a video surveillance inspection, root damage can be easily identified. Root removal and digging can be costly. You should include a sewer inspection on your home inspection Fort Myers checklist. You can’t afford to not inspect the sewer line before you finalize your home purchase.
The Worst-Case Scenario
This is the worst-case scenario. You have finally found the house you’ve been searching for after months of research. This house is a Grade I listed property and it seems to be a great deal despite being on the higher-end budget. You did your research and hired Home inspections Fort Myers team. They were thrilled when the report returned a positive result and moved in with joy. Three months later, you find yourself in a difficult situation.
It all starts with a strange odor in the basement. You can also hear the drains gurgling and slow-running toilets. Three days later, your toilets are still not flushing and the brackish water has retreated to the basement floor. A plumber is called and you are immediately informed that your drain line is blocked. Now the question is “Where’s it?”
It’s the massive root of the front yard tree that lured you to the property. She strangled it and opened it wide. Also, you’ll see the sand and dirt that leaked into the clay pipes from when your original home was constructed. Your plumber will then inform you.
You are on the other side of the property line. The city is not responsible for the problem. The plumber will give you worse news. Clearing the main blockage under your concrete driveway is essential. The roots of the tree have also compromised the clay tiles and the sewer line. The line runs under the tree to make things worse.
They request an estimate and receive a time- and material estimate. The cost is higher than $10,000 and “probably” closer to $20,000. Your bank tells you that it is not within your budget. They recommend that you sue the previous owner. Next, contact your attorney.
Sewage Line Repair Options
Avoiding this worst-case scenario is possible. It is difficult to predict how a court will view repair costs. You, as a potential buyer, must take care of your property and be safe. A home seller is not responsible for organizing accurate home inspections Fort Myers FL team. He is only responsible for disclosing any existing or potential problems. However, he might not have known of the issues beneath his yard.
A simple sewer inspection could be the best preventative measure you can take. The cost of a video inspection of your sewers can run between $200 and $300. But, you don’t need to worry about losing your peace of mind. Your sewer inspector will most likely not find anything. This alone is enough to reassure you.
However, if you find a problem in your inspection report, you have the right to exercise your rights. It all depends on how severe the inspection was. It’s the information that you paid for, so don’t forget to put it there.
Let’s take a look at the options available to you now.
- Calculate the repair costs: Not all clogged sewer lines are a disaster. The inspector might be able to quickly spot a blockage and remove it with internal measures, rather than digging up your yard. Instead of reacting quickly, you can take your time and weigh all options.
- Take your time when evaluating: Time is your friend in negotiating a home-buying deal. Take a look at the bigger picture to see the potential problems. Take a step back and plan your next steps in peace. Don’t be surprise.
- You can determine who is responsible for fixing the problem by having home inspections Fort Myers. The inspector will assess the condition of the sewer line and determine if any repairs are within the property’s or community’s scope. Before a business can move on, this is the time to contact the authorities.
- Repair costs can be negotiate: The seller may allow you to negotiate repair costs. All parties must meet and discuss the repair costs and the cost of repairs. Your inspection might identify an imminent hazard depending on the circumstances, but not an actual hazard. The circumstances will decide whether you want to continue or if you can negotiate the cost of repairs as part of your contract of sale.
- You can cancel the contract if you find a serious sewer problem. Even though everything appears perfect, this can be a hard decision. It’s not a matter of the future, and you can’t afford to risk it.
What Causes Sewer Line Blockages?
Many sewer lines last their entire lives without any problems. Sewer lines, unlike water lines that are under pressure, are passive containment systems. Water pipes are more susceptible to constant pressure. They can burst from their fittings and freeze when temperatures drop below zero. Sewage lines also have a lower flow rate than storm sewers which can carry large amounts of water runoff from heavy rains.
Gravity is the foundation of sewers. A constant negative gradient is require, which is a gradient that runs from the lowest point in the domestic plumbing to the connection to the municipal sewer system. This could be your disposal field and septic tank if you live on a rural property.
A standard four-inch diameter sewer line requires a minimum of a one-quarter inch of slope per meter. Although it may not seem like much at first glance, every plumbing code has shown that it is sufficient. The normal flow of semi-solid sewage will be carried down the slope by water pulled by gravity until it is blocked.
These are the most common causes of sewer line obstructions.
- Roots: The number one cause of blocked drains is tree roots. Tree roots love sewer pipes, which provide a perfect environment for them to grow. Tree roots are extremely invasive and can find any crack in a conduit to get through. Tree roots can quickly grow and block lines. Most tree roots can be remove by plumbers with little effort. Video inspections make it easy to identify root problems.
- Subsidence: Sewer lines laid into improperly compacted trenches or propped ones will cause them to subside and leave behind deep spots. These are known as bellies in plumbing parlance. This causes a stagnant settlement point, which then leads to slow sludge formation that eventually leads to clogging. Tummies are a common problem and expensive solutions are available. Bulbous sewage pipes must be excavate and re-install. Bulges are easily spot by inspection.
- Ground shifts: Even the most well-maintained sewer lines can slip down a slope or become dislocated over time. Subsidence can occur for many reasons, including changes in groundwater levels and nearby excavations or seismic events. Ground shifts can block pipes and require costly excavation and repair. Ground shifts can be find in the sewer line.
- Substandard pipe materials: Many older houses were connect to the sewer line by concrete or clay tiles. These sections are made of brittle material and can be damage by root ingrowth or changes in soil conditions. Modern homes use durable plastic sewer pipes. Video inspections will quickly reveal substandard pipe materials, and flag potential future problems.
- Poor installation: As with any other project, sewer line installation is susceptible to poor construction techniques. Poor connections and connectors are the most common problems in sewer line installation. Home inspections Fort Myers team can detect problems in the installation and warn you if they are coming.