When a household has a problem with their plumbing, electrical systems, or sewer system, an inspection is usually not the solution. Instead of purchasing a detailed home inspection, the ///
average consumer is forced to be very careful and read very small print on most inspection companies’ websites before they make any major decisions about their home.
This is because many small print reviews on sites like ConsumerAffairs do not have the necessary knowledge to make a purchase decision. For example, someone may say that their roof looks good but they were unable to determine whether it lasted longer than expected or not.
A more comprehensive review was able to determine if the roof was durable enough for the family’s anticipated needs or not. Another critical part was determining what type of home inspection was ///
necessary based on the property and needs.
Contents:
Why do I need one?
There are a few things that every homeowner should be doing to keep their property looking and performing well. The first and most important is a regular air duct inspection.
Air duct inspections are a critical part of this process. If there are any signs of leaks, wandering wires, or other problems with the air system, you will need to check it.
Additionally, checking for basic insulation properties such as strength and seeing if it is thin or thick is important. As we say, thin insulation means more wasted energy due to hot and cold air missing from the system. Stronger insulation can help hold that water out longer too!
If you are concerned about heating or cooling bills, then doing an adequate lateral inspection is the ticket. At Trimet Home Inspections we do lateral inspections for our clients so we know what the homes needs.
Who does them?
A sewer lateral inspection is for those who live or work in an area with sewer lines. It lets a building or home technician know if a pipe or lines are working, or if they are old and need to be repaired.
When the technician walks along a house’s pipes, he or she is called a water inspector. These professionals use special water probes to check for leaks.
The sewer lateral inspection is similar to the water inspector except instead of checking for leaks with a probe, the sewer lateral inspection looks for problems such as overflow venting and illegible markings on pipes.
What should I look for?
When a house is sold, its new owner should do a lateral inspection to make sure the home is up to code and safe. A lateral inspection can be done via a walkthrough or by someone at the house during a closed-house experience.
Typically, it involves going inside the home at least once and takingJAIL-WORRIED PICTURES before and after any major remodeling or construction. It is important to do this well before signing a contract as there should be full disclosure of what construction materials are used, what modifications have been made, and whether or not they are certified.
If there were any safety issues present, such as unsanitary conditions or risks to life and safety, then the seller should be able to address those in order to pass on value. By doing so, it will help ensure more homes are built in the future.
Can I do the inspection myself?
At this point, most people would consider doing a sewer lateral inspection yourself to be almost impossible. After all, you have to bring your phone with you and you need to be able to check it at any time while the inspection is being conducted.
However, if you are able to leave the house at this point in time, you can do it yourself. You can do it at your own home or medical office. Tile companies also offer this service and can be done at their home or office.
When working on a tile project, the tile inspector will typically find out where the sewage flow is coming from and where it going when it leaves your home. This is important to know as there may be places where sewage does not get cleaned out properly!
If there are areas of your home or community that require attention with sewage backup, then the tile inspector can help with that.
What happens if I find a problem?
If you do a regular inspections, you’re probably looking for good water flow, healthy pipes, etc. on your lateral. However, if you have a sewer lateral inspection, then you have more information to take into account!
For the typical residential home, there are two things that typically goes into building a sewer lateral. The first is to lay the foundation. This consists of planning and digging the sewage system. The second is to build the house on top of it.
Are there any grants or subsidies available?
While most people agree that having a lateral inspection is important, many do not have enough money to attend a qualified inspection. Many localities offer free or reduced inspections, which is the way to check if a lateral inspection is needed.
If you live in an area that requires this, it is best to have this as early as possible in your heating and cooling system troubleshooting. By early, we mean before fall weather weather fasting sets in.
This way, if something is needed sooner, you can still have it done. If it takes longer, you will be more prepared for what needs to be fixed. This can help you make decisions whether or not it is necessary to repair or replace certain systems.
Who is responsible for the sewer lateral?
When a home or apartment complex has a problem with their sewer system, they will typically do a sewer lateral. A lateral inspection is when someone in the community walks your neighbor’s house to check it out.
This is called a “walk-through” inspection. When a walk-through inspection is done, the property manager or property owner also comes and checks the plumbing, insulation, and energy efficient features of the home.
By having this additional person onsite, it allows for better communication between them and the residents. This company then comes and performs their walk-through to make sure nothing was overlooked.
There are two types of walk-through inspections: Onsite | who attacks the problem area| and Offsite | who assesses property values|.
How can I tell if my sewer lateral is intact?
When it comes to inspecting sewers, there are two main ways to do it. You can hire a professional lateral inspection or you can conduct your own inspection.
The difference is in the result and how you interpret it. A professional lateral inspection is done by a licensed engineer who specializes in that area of expertise.
An average person cannot fully evaluate whether or not a sewer is intact and functioning, so they hire a licensed plumbing inspector to do the evaluation for them. This causes more cost than necessary, as the license does not tell if the sewer is working or not.
When evaluating your own sewer system, there are some key areas to look at for evidence of an intact sewer line. These include: checking for water visible through the lining, checking for signs of erosion/breakdown, and checking for any signs of functioning equipment.