It goes without saying that sewer lines serve an important role in any plumbing system. This is a statement that I think just about everyone will agree with! After all, they are responsible for taking the waste from one’s home or business out of the building and to the city. Definitely something that you want working at all times, right? Unfortunately, given the wear and tear they experience on a daily basis, there are going to be times where issues may arise. And while they are incredibly durable, this is certainly something that’s inevitable over time.
As a plumbing business that provides residential and commercial services, our team tackles sewer line projects consistently throughout the year. Whether that be running a new line, making repairs, main line cleaning or even sewer line inspections (which will be what we discuss today), there are plenty of potential projects related to sewer lines. Throughout this week’s blog post, we will be talking about the value of having a sewer line inspection completed and in particular, when you might need to have a sewer line inspection at your home or commercial facility.
Before we get into that though, we would first like to say hello to anyone that may be stopping by our blog for the first time. Welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing! We are a plumbing business based out of North Kansas City, MO that works all throughout the KC area and many of the surrounding cities. If you have a plumbing project you’re needing help with, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 or fill out the form HERE to speak with a member of our team.
What is a Sewer Line Inspection?
Given that sewer lines are located several feet underground, it can be a challenge to determine when or where an issue resides. Until something serious (like a back-up) occurs, how can you know what the current state of a sewer line is? As we’ve mentioned before on past blog posts, technology has impacted the plumbing world in more ways than one. One perfect example of this is the cameras used for sewer line inspections. These devices allow plumbing professionals to get an inside look at what is going on in sewer lines. After that, you can locate where the issue resides and then plan the necessary repairs (if needed).
So…when should you consider having a sewer line inspection completed?
When Might You Need a Sewer Line Inspection?
As highlighted above, there can certainly be several instances where you may need to hire a plumber to complete a sewer line inspection. Here are a few of the potential situations:
Purchasing a Home or Building
Whether it be buying a home or closing on a commercial facility, the last thing you want to be faced with after the transaction is complete would be plumbing problems, especially those tied to your sewer line. These can be costly repairs, so it’s worth doing your due diligence prior to closing. Having a sewer line inspection completed is certainly a worthwhile item to get an idea of what material the sewer line is made out of, whether or not there are any issues (from bellies in the line to more serious breaks), and so on. Long story short, purchasing a new home or building can be an expensive decision and you definitely want to make sure you won’t be faced with unexpected plumbing issues in the not-so distant future!
Experiencing Sewer Line Problems
Next on our list is likely the most popular time as to when sewer line inspections are requested and that is when sewer line problems are actually present. Even though you can’t easily get eyes on your sewer line, the warning signs of a sewer line issue won’t be a challenge to spot! These could come in the form of drain back-ups inside your home/building, extremely slow drains, bad smells and a yard that seems strangely soggy in certain areas. Not always the most pleasant of times! When you’re experiencing any of these, you may have a sewer line issue on your hands. Yes, the actual severity of that issue could vary, but it’s still something you’ll want a plumber to check out regardless. With a sewer line inspection, they’ll be able to see what’s going on and determine whether repairs are needed. It is important to note that the solution doesn’t always involve excavation to make the repairs!
Before Having a Sewer Line Repair Completed
To close out this week’s blog post, let’s talk about what happens when you’ve experienced sewer line problems and your local plumbing company has quoted you for a sewer line repair/replacement. The first question you should ask is if a sewer line inspection has been completed. Why is this so important? For one, it’ll give you an idea of the severity of the sewer line problem. Some sewer line issues are going to require a complete repair, while others can be resolved with routine drain cleaning. There are obviously pros and cons of each, but it doesn’t hurt to know your options before paying for an expensive repair. The second reason in favor of having an inspection completed is to be able to locate where the issue resides. After all, do you really want to have a significant portion of your yard or floor excavated if the issue is just in one place? This can not only prevent having a mess in your yard, but also could impact the price as well! Long story short, if you ever have a local plumbing company that gives you a quote for a sewer line repair WITHOUT having completed a camera inspection, that should instantly raise some concerns. Especially for larger jobs like a sewer line repair/replacement, it’s never a bad idea to get a second estimate to make sure the price is accurate or even to ensure the work is needed in the first place.
Hire the Sewer Line Inspections Pros at Stine-Nichols Plumbing!
Given that sewer lines aren’t readily visible, it’s not always easy for homeowners to determine when they’re dealing with a sewer line issue. That is…until you start experiencing some of the tell-tale signs of a sewer line problem. Think of things like drain back-ups inside your home, funky smells coming from your drains and even unusually soggy parts of the yard. All of these can be warning signs of a sewer line issue and usually can be detected right away! Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we understand time is of the essence when it comes to a sewer line problem. We know that you don’t want to live with a faulty sewer line for very long, and strive to provide timely services.
With the help of a sewer line inspection, we can see what’s going on inside your sewer line and make a proper plan of action. Are you experiencing sewer line issues at your home or business? Are you in the process of purchasing a new home and want to make sure the sewer line is in good shape? There are certainly plenty of cases where a sewer line inspection is well worth the investment. Give us a call at (816) 348-3481 and we can help with all of your sewer line needs, including inspections!