When you’re in the market to buy a home, it’s an exciting time. There’s a lot to think about, but there’s also a lot to worry about. It can be overwhelming, and many details can be skimmed over in order for realtors to make the sale.
When looking at homes, you’re paying attention to the year the house was built, the condition of certain aspects of the home, how the home’s size will fit your needs, and the overall aesthetic. One thing you may not even consider — sewer issues.
Although often overlooked, sewer issues are an important area to attend to when you buy a home. If you’re not careful, you could buy a home with a sewer system that causes major problems and costs you a significant amount of money.
Potential Problems With Sewers
Sewers, just like many other areas of the home, can run into problems, and unfortunately, they can cost a good amount of money if you’re not careful. So what kinds of issues could you run into with your new home’s sewer?
Sewer backups are caused by a blockage in the sewer or the drain pipe. There are precautions you can take to avoid sewer backups, such as not flushing certain things down the toilet and using your garbage disposal properly, but sometimes, sewer backups are caused by things like tree roots, cracked or collapsed pipes, an old sewer line, or a sewer line that is not properly maintained.
Sewer backups cause pooling or puddling in your lawn, slow drains, a foul smell, and gurgling water coming up your pipes. They are a health hazard, and when they happen, they need to be fixed immediately.
Pipe damage is another common sewer issue. Your sewer line might break or collapse, and this is often in conjunction with a sewer backup. It can happen due to tree root invasion, deterioration, and beyond. In some cases, sewer lines get a small leak, which allows tree roots in to clog the pipe.
Various Costs Regarding Sewers
When you run into a problem with a sewer backup, damaged sewer line, or something related, you’ll need to have a licensed sewer professional come out to diagnose and fix the problem. This includes locating the issue, whether it be a block or damage to the line, replacing or repairing the damaged area(s), digging, and more.
If you buy a home and have to completely replace your new home’s sewer line, you can be spending anywhere from a few hundred dollars to up to $30,000. The average cost is between $3000 and $6000 at $50 to $250+ per foot.
If you run into a sewer backup in your new home, you could be spending thousands of dollars to clean up the mess and fix the damage. Sometimes, you think you only have a clog, and your contractor ends up finding damaged or collapsed pipes, which can cost a significant amount more.
Homeowners Insurance & Sewer Issues
When it comes to sewer issues, homeowners insurance can come in handy, but not in all cases. Your sewer line is covered under the ‘other structure’ area of your home, which means it includes the same protections as your home does. Sewer line damage on your premises is covered by homeowner’s insurance when it is caused by:
- Lighting
- Fire
- Hail
- Windstorm
- Aircraft
- An explosion
- Riots and civil disturbances
- Vehicles
- Vandalism
- Falling objects
- Volcanoes
In most cases, these are things that are out of your control. What isn’t covered under homeowners insurance is damage that is preventable, which is, unfortunately, the most common form of damage to sewer lines.
Physical damage to your sewer line that can be preventable is caused by poor maintenance, faulty construction, or another preventable human error. In addition, damage from tree roots, animals, flooding, or earthquakes are not covered by standard home insurance. In the event of a sewage backup, homeowner’s insurance policies clearly state that they do not cover this.
Optional Coverage For Sewer Lines
The good news is that you have the option to add coverage to your homeowner’s insurance policy, such as a sewage backup endorsement or a service line protection endorsement. If you suspect a home may have sewer issues in the future, this might be a small investment that truly pays off.
Contact Our Team For Help Today
All Septic & Sewer is here to help you make sure your sewer line is running as it should, helping you avoid costly breakdowns, blockages, and beyond. When you need a sewer inspection, install or repair in King, Pierce, or Thurston County, contact our team or call 888-541-6680 today!
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