# Harley’s Home Tips #32 # The Most Expensive Part of the House You May Never See

Hey friends, Harley here.

You checked the roof.

You looked at the foundation.

You tested the appliances.

You had the home inspected.

Everything looks pretty good.

But what about the pipe buried underground that carries wastewater away from your house?

You can’t see it.

You probably didn’t think much about it.

And if there’s a serious problem down there, you definitely won’t enjoy the bill.

Let’s talk about a sewer scope.

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WHAT IS A SEWER SCOPE?

A sewer scope is an inspection where a small camera is inserted into the property’s sewer line.

The camera allows the inspector or appropriate professional to look inside the line and identify conditions that aren’t visible during a normal walkthrough.

Think of it as a home inspection…

for a pipe you can’t see.

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WHAT CAN A SEWER CAMERA FIND?

Depending on the system and conditions, a scope may reveal things such as:

Tree-root intrusion

Cracks

Corrosion or deterioration

Offset or separated connections

Blockages

Standing water

Damaged sections

Other visible defects

A toilet flushing normally during your showing doesn’t necessarily tell you what the entire underground line looks like.

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THAT BEAUTIFUL TREE COULD MATTER

Big mature trees can make a property beautiful.

But roots naturally seek moisture.

If there are openings or vulnerable areas in a sewer line, roots may find their way in.

That doesn’t mean you should be afraid of every tree.

It means what’s happening underground can matter just as much as what you see above it.

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OLDER HOMES DESERVE EXTRA ATTENTION

The age and type of sewer piping can matter.

Older properties may have materials or systems that deserve additional investigation.

Age alone doesn’t mean a sewer line is bad.

And a newer house doesn’t guarantee there can never be a problem.

The point is simple:

### Don’t guess about something you can investigate.

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WHY SHOULD BUYERS CARE?

Because sewer-line repairs can range from relatively straightforward maintenance to substantial excavation and replacement.

Depending on the problem, repairs could involve:

• Digging

• Landscaping removal

• Driveway or hardscape work

• Pipe repair or replacement

• Specialized equipment

• Permits or municipal coordination

What started as an invisible problem can become a very visible expense.

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DOES A NORMAL HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE THIS?

Don’t automatically assume it does.

A general home inspection and a sewer scope are different services.

Ask what’s included.

If a sewer scope is important to you, discuss it with your agent and the appropriate inspection professional early enough to complete it within your contractual timelines.

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DON’T JUST ASK IF IT “PASSED”

If you have a sewer scope performed, understand what was actually observed.

Depending on the service, you may receive:

Video

Photos

Written findings

Location information

Recommendations for additional evaluation

If something concerning appears, additional evaluation by the appropriate professional may be warranted.

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HARLEY’S BOTTOM LINE

### Some of the most expensive surprises aren’t inside the house.

### They’re underneath it.

You can fall in love with the kitchen.

You can admire the new flooring.

You can picture yourself relaxing in the backyard.

But don’t forget about the systems you can’t see.

A little extra due diligence before closing may help you understand what you’re actually buying.

Because Harley would much rather see you spending money on a new couch…

than digging up your front yard.

Thinking about buying?

Stephen will help you think beyond the pretty countertops and ask questions about the parts of the property buyers can easily overlook.

360-261-2062

stephenburright.com

Paws up,

**Harley

**

Stephen Burright an Harley Too

**Harley knows the way home.*