“I’m so excited to have a sewer inspection this weekend!”…said no one ever.
Even though sewer inspections aren’t exciting, they are still very important. Because you know what is exciting – and not in a good way? Problems with your sewer line.
Let’s take a look at several reasons why sewer inspections are a good idea, and why you should take advantage when you’re having your driveway replaced.
Why Is a Sewer Inspection Important?
First of all, why is a sewer line inspection that important? After all, who wants to have to think about their sewer? Eww.
But that’s exactly why inspecting the line is so important. You don’t want to have to worry about your sewer. If something goes wrong with it, it’s a major pain. Let’s look at a few reasons why.
Save Your Hard Earned Dollars
Replacing a sewer system in San Diego, CA can be expensive. As you can imagine, there is a lot of work involved just in digging it up. Plus, on top of the replacement, you’ll have to redo/replace your driveway or landscaping depending on where your system runs. A lot of Home Services providers will need to be involved in this project.
Also, most sewer line clogs develop slowly as a result of wear and tear. Because of this, you may have a hard time getting your insurance to help pay for the replacement.
They might even refuse a claim for damages in the event that your system backs up and causes damage to your home. The idea behind this is that you could have avoided the problem with regular sewer inspections. They can decide they won’t be responsible to pay because you neglected your duty.
The good thing is that sewer systems typically last for a long time. You can generally expect a system to last for around 40 years. However, the fastest way to age your system and speed replacement is to ignore leaks and other problems as they appear.
That’s where inspections come in. Regularly inspecting your system alerts you to blockages, cracks, and other problems. Fix those before they get bigger and you can prevent a nasty backup or other similar unpleasantness.
Plus, a well-maintained system will last much longer. Thus, you won’t have to deal with replacing your entire system so soon.
Roots Can Cause Problems
In addition to normal wear and tear, roots from trees and other plants can cause serious issues with your sewer system.
You might not like what runs through your pipes, but plants sure do! In fact, sewer pipes are an excellent source of both water and nutrition for them.
Thus, roots often seek out your drain pipes. They will grab onto any tiny hole or crack they can find and start growing inside. Not only does this cause an obvious leakage problem, but also once the root gets big enough it can block your drains.
Regular inspections can help you detect these problems before they get big enough to cause serious damage.
How Often Are Inspections Necessary?
How often you should have sewer inspections done can vary a little. If your system is 20 years or older, you should keep a close eye on it. The system still has the potential to last for quite a few more years, but problems are more likely to pop up.
That doesn’t mean that if your system is newer you can ignore it. Newer systems are less likely to have problems, but not immune.
If you have a lot of trees or shrubs near your system you may want to consider more regular inspections. You’d be surprised how fast those roots can get in there and start causing damage.
With that said, the average homeowner should put sewer inspection on the calendar about once a year. Ask your plumbing professional about a good schedule for you if any of the things we mentioned above apply to your system.
Why Do a Sewer Inspection When Replacing Your Driveway?
Getting to your sewer system is obviously extremely difficult. It’s buried in the ground and digging it up when there isn’t an obvious problem seems kind of silly. Sometimes digging up driveways is not needed with trenchless sewer repair, but don’t take the risk if you sewer drain is under your driveway when you are getting it replaces.
Plus, many sewer systems run under the driveway. You don’t want to have to tear up your driveway just for an inspection!
But what if you’re already planning to replace your driveway? It’s the perfect time to take advantage and have your sewer system thoroughly inspected.
Can You Get an Inspection Without Tearing Up the Driveway?
Any time you think there might be problems with your system, you can ask for a camera inspection. For this inspection method, your plumbing professional will insert a camera into your system to look for potential problems or blockages.
This is a great way to inspect the system without having to tear up your driveway or lawn. But this method isn’t as thorough as a proper visual inspection of your system.
Thus, if you’re tearing up your driveway anyway, take advantage and have a sewer line inspection done my My Plumber San Diego at the same time. You could save yourself a big headache and a lot of money by catching problems early.
Keep It Moving
The main reason why you should worry about getting a sewer inspection is so that you never have to worry about your sewer drains. Sewer problems are gross to deal with and unpleasantly expensive.
Inspections ensure that your pipes are clear and everything is moving properly. The last way you want to find out about your sewer system blockage is by flushing the toilet and ending up with more than you bargained for.
Be sure to schedule yearly camera inspections. Plus, anytime you will be tearing up your driveway anyway, take advantage and have a full inspection done.
To schedule your next inspection, feel free to contact us today. We’ll be happy to help keep it moving for you!