Zillow Advice: Buying Process - Should I include a sewer line scope as part of a home inspection? How common is this?

Alisa is a great asset to ...

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:42:00 GMT

Alisa is a great asset to Zillow, thank you for the input.

$99 router, in my experience, is only $99 for the router, also called auger or cleaning. They usually charge additional for gaining access to the pipe, resetting toilets, clean-up, if it takes longer than 30min etc. A scope is putting a camera in the line. This is really only necessary if there are large trees in the area, whose roots can crush the sewer line. To answer that, one must know the type of sewer line.

There are three: Clay (85+yrs old), Cast Iron (50+yrs old) and ABS or PVC. Clay callapses on its own after about 90 years and usually costs $10,000 to replace with ABS. It can be much more costly depending on other factors. Cast Iron, I believe is the best, however hair roots can enter the seams and clog the drain. This can be remedied by $99 router or a $80 auger rental at Home Depot (yuck!) Finally, the ABS is usually good because it is typically in neighborhoods where the trees are too young to have destroyed it, and the roots do not know there is water in the line. Unlike cast, they never get a taste because the glue used is air tight.

One thing to remember, a house that has been vacant for more than 3 months should be augered before use because the tap will "cake." I would rather not describe that phenomena.

Inspections used as a negotiating tactic used to be common, but today, buyers don't need to resort to that, unless owned by a bank or seller with deep pockets. Sellers are selling at the lowest possible amount and will not budge regardless of the inspection.

As already mentioned, the ...

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:12:00 GMT

As already mentioned, the issue is they type of pipe (which you can visually see and the home inspector would have noted), and trees; both presently existing, and those prevously removed.

The previously removed ones are the most difficult to predict since you may not have any present evidence that they were there, but the roots often still grow.

The ceramic pipes do not need to be replaced if they are still functioning, not cracked, and are still connected (not pushed out of alignment). The cast iron does not need to be replaced as long as there are no holes, no cracks, and the rust has not built up to a level that will cause clogging. As mentioned, the rust can be scrapped off. There are even ways to coat the pipe after the rust is removed to minimise further oxidation, but it usually is not done for drain lines.

When a line has a major crack, you don't need to replace the whole line. You can do just the damaged section, and you can use ABS for the repair with the correct cupplings.

The purpose of using a scope is to identify where a line is damaged and where roots may be entering the pipe. Sure, you can keep calling the router out once or twice a year, but at some point that gets old and the pipe needs to be repaired or replaced, especially if it is just draining into your yard. Not only can the scope identify the location where you need to dig, it can also indicate how many locations have major problems, giving a clue if this will be a "replacement" project or a "repair" project, and thus also the magnitude of the cost, and whether you can hire day labors to dig for you, or if you will need a back hoe, and possibly a chain saw or sawZall (for roots).

Don't forget to check storm drain lines too, as you can have flooding if these are broken or clogged with roots. At least these usually aren't as deep.

Also, when scoping, they usually have a locator signal with the camera, so they can show routing of the line above grade. This is especially helpful to know if there is a possibility that the line travels on neighbor's property. It can be especially expensive to repair or replace if the line is under your neighbor's driveway. You may not even be able to get a permit nor permission.

The CO guy has some very ...

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:38:00 GMT

The CO guy has some very good points. Your home inspector will usually determine the type of drain pipe used, and estimate its age. They will also be looking for trees or stumps in the line of the sewer pipe which could cause damage. The home inspector may suggest a sewer pipe scoping, but its usually just a passing of the buck.

If you have cast iron drain pipes or clay, they are more than 30 years old because they stopped using them in the 70s. You can scope them if you like, but the scoping will not reveal the degree of rust which is pretty severe by 30 years. The camera only sees the inside of the pipe. They will need replacing now or very soon anyway, and your home inspector should point this out for you. Figure the expense of it into your offer.

Scoping is sometimes used to satisfy a buyer's fear about these old pipes, because it shows no root damage, but rust is the detriment of iron, and crumbling is the detriment of clay. Tree roots can damage anything. If you have cast iron pipes at your 50 year old house, they are original, 50 year old pipes. Replacement needed!

ABS (black) is good stuff, and PVC (white) is even better! If you have either of these, and no decidious trees over them, don't bother to scope.

You can usually see what type of pipes you have at the cleanout risers in the yard. If you don't have cleanout risers, you have original cast iron pipes on your 50 year old house. Be careful though, they may be covered by landscaping. Otherwise, don't determine the type of material based on the cleanout caps alone. Open the caps and shine a flashlight down them. (not as gross as it sounds, but hold your breath). The material at the bottom of the risers is your drain pipe.

If you have large decidious trees over your sewer line, its a bad idea. Consider removing the tree, or expect to deal with some damage at some time. The ABS and PVC pipes do not leak and attract roots in that manner, but they offer warmth and condensation which does attract roots at a lesser degree.

Yes. I would suggest ...

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Yes. I would suggest a scope in any house over 15 years old.

try 99 dollar router.

Getting a sewer line inspection ...

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:39:00 GMT

Getting a sewer line inspection is a valuable tool for the homebuyer to have and understand the conditions of their sewer and drains. Back up sewer and drain damage can be costly and sometimes not covered on your homeowner insurance. On all older homes, I suggest this low cost insurance coverage placed on their policies.

very common. $125 for ...

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:26:00 GMT

very common. $125 for them in our area.