When you own a home, there is a lot you take for granted to work, especially on older homes in Tampa that haven’t had a recent home inspection. The unseen things we always trust to function all the time are what can end up costing you the most money, which is why regular and specialized home inspections for your home in Tampa are so important. One area we don’t often think about is the sewer: as long as the toilet flushes it’s “out of sight, out of mind,” but not to a home inspector.
If you are buying a home in Tampa, or really anywhere for that matter, that is 15 years or older, you will want to make sure your sewer is inspected during a home inspection. This is not always covered in a standard inspection, so consult with your inspector to make sure they check this. Sewer replacement can be extremely expensive, and it’s not something you want to find out about after you’ve moved in, so this is a worthwhile investment on your future home. Culprits like growing tree roots or collapsed piping cannot always been seen with a quick visual, surface inspection.
When your sewer system is inspected, the inspector is going to check first for the obvious damage from tree roots. When a tree was planted twenty years ago it may have been far enough to avoid damage, but roots grow extremely long and can wreak havoc on pipes. If a root has grown through a pipe, you will need the roots removed and the pipe replaced. They will also use some type of camera system to make sure there are no major clogs that could back sewage up into your home, something nobody wants to deal with. Lastly, they can see if the materials used are still in good condition; things like erosion can ruin pipes over time without anyone knowing.
A sewer inspection may seem unnecessary, but here at Radiant Property Inspections we think it’s a must for homeowners. Again, homes have aging sewer systems, and an inspector can see what needs to be repaired and when. If you have sewer concerns, call us today.