tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141774591169678883.post-69543961612887732192008-03-21T12:43:00.000-07:002008-04-16T09:56:10.892-07:002008-04-16T09:56:10.892-07:00<div align="justify">Buyers be ware when it comes time to have a home inspected. Be sure you have all of the home’s systems, especially sewer lines in an older homes.<br /><br />A recent buyer of mine just went under contract on a 1942 vintage home. One of the inspections I recommended was to have the sewer line scoped since sewer lines of that period frequently have problems since they were typically made out of clay. The sewer inspector said his video had to be rated X X X for how bad the line appeared. It had seven areas where tree roots were entering the line. The line also had so much standing water in it that the inspector could not tell if the line just needed to cleaned out or if it had actually failed and collapsed.<br /><br />Needless to say, my Inspection Report required the sellers to have the line cleaned and then re-scoped to determine the condition of the line. This sewer line actually failed in one location and that section of line needs to be replaced. My clients saved thousands of THEIR dollars by having the sewer line inspected before they became the owners of this home.<br /><br />Most home inspectors do not have the equipment to inspect a sewer line. They typically test the sewer line simply by filling the bath tub with water, as it drains, the inspector turns on all of the sinks and flush the toilets. This adds considerable amount of water to the sewer line. If it is clogged up badly, the water will not drain quickly. This procedure can not determine if the line has been damaged or if the sewer line is starting to collapse. It will only show major sewer problems.<br /><br />The water drained a little slower than normal on the home my buyers are purchasing. Since the sewer line scope inspection was suggested on this home, my buyers saved thousands of dollars worth of repair expense. The defective line, rightfully so, will be repaired at the seller’s expense.<br /><br />Consider having the sewer line scoped as a part of your home inspection. Typical sewer inspections will cost you $99 to $275. Send me an email if you want the name of the $99 inspector.</div>Bill Kosena, ABR, CRS, GRI, SREShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16086006170404256171BillKosena@Realtor.com