Reasons You Need a Sewer Inspection
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” or so your great-Grandma said. She probably also said, “a stitch in time saves nine.” The idea of fixing small problems before they become big ones is the main reason you need a sewer inspection. Schedule sewer lines inspections every other year or so, especially if your sewer line runs close to tall, old trees. Tree roots seek out and invade sewer lines, looking for water and fertilizer. While you’re enjoying the shade and loveliness of those old-growth trees, make a note to have your sewer lines inspected.
As part of ordinary maintenance for your sewer line, a licensed, bonded, and insured plumber should be able to run a camera down your sewer line to look for invading roots, debris, or blockages. If you catch the problem at the stage where a simple rodding-out will take care of it, count yourself lucky. A broken sewer line is a costly mess that requires excavation, and likely a permit, to repair.
If your home, or the home you are considering buying, is more than twenty years old, definitely have a sewer inspection. Older homes used materials ranging from lead to clay to cast iron (and even tar paper) for sewer lines. All these are subject to wear and failure or will collapse eventually. Even new construction homes, if connected to old sewer lines, could end up with problems that are very costly to fix.
If your drains have all begun to run slowly or if flushing the toilet causes another drain in the shower or sink to back up, you need a sewer inspection as soon as possible. Sewer cameras can see inside the pipes. They can tell if pipes aren’t draining correctly, if tree roots have gotten in, or if there is mud or other debris in the pipe. There can be a lot of build-up on the inside of a sewer pipe, and it’s difficult to see anything other than the flow (or lack thereof) of water. A professional can determine whether something is inside the pipe that’s impeding the flow.
Regular sewer line maintenance and inspection can save you a lot of money in the long run. It pays to listen to great-Grandma’s age-old advice and take steps now to prevent sewer problems from getting out of control.
