Providing you with an unbiased inspection of your sewer system.
We don’t personally do the sewer inspection, instead we work with another local Kansas City company that specializes in specifically just this – only inspections. They don’t do any excavation work.
This means our sewer inspection partner is fully committed to providing unbiased inspections of your home’s pipeline systems. So… is being “unbiased” really that important? Absolutely! Many companies use so called “low cost” or even “FREE” inspections to get in your door. Don’t be fooled – once there, they make huge money by selling repair and replacement work (including full sewer replacements) which 9 out of 10 times our partner has found are completely unnecessary.
In the event they do find a problem which does require excavation, you will be armed with the complete facts to get the best contractor for the job and at the best price!
A sewer inspection is only available with a home inspection.
If a sewer inspection is needed, just let your Five Star inspector know, and we’ll be happy to connect you with our trusted sewer inspection partner.
A sewer line inspection protects you from the potential dangers associated with making uninformed buying decisions.
Just like a general home inspection assembles many facts about the condition of a property, sewer inspections will give you the facts about the sewer line that a home inspector cannot see, empowering you with the facts about your sewer system so you’re able to make a more informed buying decision.
“Tell-Tale” problem signs with your sewer system:
If you’re buying a home, here are a few “tell-tale” signs to keep in mind which should call for a professional sewer inspection.
Replaced “Clean Out” Plugs
Sewer lines usually have a “clean out” access normally situated vertically on the main sewer line in the basement, crawl-space, or occasionally outside. In residential construction (prior to the 1980’s) a brass “plug” was used. If the original plug has been replaced with another one, some sewer work (usually cleaning) has been needed in the past.
Service Stickers
The presence of these stickers on or near sewer pipes often indicates the sewer has given the owner problems at some point. In addition, they may also indicate that the property is on a “preventative maintenance” program for regular cleaning to prevent future back-ups.
Water Staining
Water stains around the floor drain in the basement are an obvious sign the sewer line is not draining properly. Because the floor drain is usually the lowest access point to the sewer, it provides some of the first symptoms of a sewer problem.
Structural Damage
Walls or floors cracking indicate movement of the foundation. Shifting foundations can be caused from excessive water in the soil which may be coming from a broken underground sewer line. Other “Tell-Tale” signs of a broken sewer are: sink holes, foul odors, water stains on walls or floor, or concrete patches over drill holes from “mud jacking” operations.