Much of Central Jersey was built well before today's buyers were born: early 1900s colonials in Westfield and Cranford, post-war capes and ranches in Edison and Piscataway, and older multi-family homes in New Brunswick. These houses are full of character, and they also come with sewer lines that may be as old as the house.
The pipe nobody sees
The sewer lateral carries everything that goes down your drains from the house to the public sewer main or the septic tank. It's buried, so a standard home inspection can't see it or report on it.
It is also the owner's responsibility, all the way to the main. It often runs under the driveway, the lawn, the sidewalk and sometimes part of the street. If it has to be dug up and replaced, the cost can run to many thousands of dollars, and that bill arrives after you own the house.
What goes wrong with old laterals
- Tree roots. Mature trees are one of the best things about older neighborhoods, and roots are one of the most common causes of cracked and blocked sewer lines.
- Old pipe materials. Older homes may have clay, cast iron or Orangeburg (fiber) pipe, all of which can crack, corrode, flatten or separate with age.
- Shifting and settling. Freeze-thaw cycles, settling and nearby construction can crack a line or pull joints apart.
- Sags. Low spots let waste collect and cause repeated backups.
- Things that were flushed. Wipes, toys and clothing can lodge in the line.
How a sewer scope works
Grant runs a small camera on a push rod through an access point, usually a cleanout, and down the line toward the main. He watches and records the inside of the pipe and reports what he sees, from roots and cracks to separated joints and blockages. You get the findings with your inspection report.
A leaking line isn't only a plumbing problem. Sewage in the soil is a health hazard, can mean an environmental cleanup at the owner's expense, and escaping water can wash out soil under the house and affect the foundation.
When to book it
Book the sewer scope with your home inspection, during your inspection period, so you have time to get a plumber's estimate and negotiate if there's a problem. It helps to find out from the listing agent where the cleanout is.
As a certified plumber, Grant takes drain lines seriously. To add a sewer scope to your inspection, call or text 732-789-4377 or read more on our sewer scope page.
Buying or selling in Central Jersey? Call or text 732-789-4377 to book an inspection with Grant, or read more articles.
