When new homeowners are purchasing a home they want to make sure that any problems are taken care of before they close on the home. Often, purchase agreements are contingent upon home inspections and termite inspections. Recently, with sewer cameras becoming more popular, some home buyers have requested sewer camera inspections.
If you are buying a home and need a buyer’s agent please feel free to contact me. I also have plumbers that I can recommend who do sewer camera inspections in Pittsboro NC and in surrounding areas.
What is a sewer camera inspection?
Your plumber will insert his camera which is on the end of a “snake”. The camera can inspect sewer lines. Some sewer lines are 100 – 200 feet long! Homeowners on city sewer usually do not get these inspections unless there is a problem.
Should home buyers get a sewer camera inspection?
Most often, sewer camera inspections come back with no problems.
However, if a home is over 15 years old, home buyers may want to consider it. It is simply your personal preference. The inspection will offer peace of mind. Collapsed lines and tree roots are the main issues that plumbers are looking for here. Tree roots can infiltrate sewage lines for years before finally clogging them, leaving homeowners with a very large bill.
Tree roots do not attack sewer lines, but, if water is leaking from a pipe connector or a cracked pipe, the roots will definitely find it and enter the sewer lines to get the water and nutrients. Occasionally a sewer camera inspection will save home buyers $5,000 – $10,000 in bills.
Most sewer line inspections are requested on homes over 15 years old. Many inspections are paid for by the prospective home buyer and cost in the $200 – $300 range.