Exciting press release from Southern Oregon Home Inspections, LLC
Over the last 15 years Thorin Halvorson been wanting to add sewer scoping to Southern Oregon Home Inspections service list…well now is the time! As of now, Southern Oregon Home Inspection will be adding sewer scoping. This service can be easily added to each home inspection at the time it is ordered.
Why should I have my sewer scoped?
When you purchase a new home, its commonplace to get a home inspection that details the condition of the house’s components. Who wouldn’t want to know as much as possible about something you are about to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on? If you purchase a home with a septic system it’s also a standard practice to have that system inspected by a professional. But what if your home is hooked up to the city sewer system? Would you simply trust that the sewer lines are all in good working order?
Thorin Halvorson of Southern Oregon Home Inspections, LLC has been inspecting homes and commercial buildings all over the State of Oregon and Northern California for over 17 years. He knows his way around a home and offers clear, concise, and thorough home inspection reports for prospective buyers and sellers alike. And, when warranted, he advises homeowners to seek out professional services to further investigate issues/concerns or assess needed repairs. One of those recommendations that comes standard from Thorin Halvorson and his talented, well-trained, inspectors and office staff is this: get a sewer scope inspection.
A sewer scope may sound like something that happens on your worst day as a homeowner – a very smelly, bad day. However, a sewer scope can actually help homeowners avoid that terrible day when their sewer system fails causing smells, damage, and ultimately a massive repair bill.
What is a sewer scope?
“Essentially, a sewer scope is an inspection of the interior of a home’s sewer lines from the home itself out to the connection to the mainline in the street,” explains Halvorson. Oddly, this simple inspection is often an after-thought for buyers, yet it’s one of the most important pieces of information for people purchasing a home that is more than 20 years old. Sewer scoping is also recommended in new construction as the line can settle, be crushed by heavy equipment, or have not been properly glued at all of the seams.
Thins to look for in your sewer scope video:
Purchasing a beautiful home and then learning you need to tear up the front yard to repair a septic line is not a project any new homeowner wants to face. During the life of a home, many things can occur in the sewer lines without the homeowner knowing it. “All kinds of things can be detected by a sewer scope,” shares Halvorson. “Tree root invasion, pipe breakage, or pipe collapse can all be seen during the inspection.” Tree root invasion is one of the most common conditions that occur due to our year-round growing climate in Southern Oregon. Over time, small roots can creep into tiny cracks and openings in the sewer line and begin to expand. They then form traps for debris travelling down the sewer line, creating backups and clogs. Ultimately, the roots will cause breakage in the lines leading to leaks and line failure. So, when purchasing a home, gather all the information, including the condition of your sewer lines.
Homes constructed prior to 1950 have sewer lines made of a tar paper substance called Orangeburg pipes. Over time, these pipes disintegrate and collapse. The only way to determine if an older home (60+ years) still has Orangeburg pipes is with a sewer scope inspection. Purchasing a historic home offers charm and character, but also the potential for serious issues that a home inspection and sewer scope can help reveal before you sign on the dotted line. Historic bungalows and sprawling mid-century ranches are desirable in today’s market for unique and character-filled homes. But they come with hidden risks. A sewer scope can check one of those of your list.
How is my sewer scoped?
The sewer scope inspection is quick and relatively simple. A licensed professional will insert a long cable camera with a light on the end down your drain, extending through your pipes to the city sewer connection or septic tank. Typically, the inspections are also filmed, allowing review of the pipe after the physical inspection in complete. Before you get too grossed out by imagining the inside your sewer pipes, the lines are typically a lot cleaner than you’d expect. Most of what you’ll see is simply the interior of the pipe. Depending on the size of your home and the distance from the street, the scope could take as little as five minutes. If significant issues are detected, expect the sewer scope to take a bit longer. The process is extremely easy, yet it can save you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in repair, excavation, and landscape destruction/restoration. “The inspections typically cost about $175 to $250,” shares Halvorson. “That’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that your sewer lines are in good shape, possibly saving you thousands in future repairs.”
Southern Oregon Home Inspections, LLC will be providing home buyers and sellers additional peace of mind by now offering sewer scoping with their inspection services. Ultimately, spending a few hundred dollars before committing to your home purchase is a small price to pay to know your sewer is in good working order. No one wants to host a housewarming party with their sewer system backing up!
What makes Thorin Halvorson qualified to do sewer scopes?
In the mid 1990’s Thorin Halvorson worked with a well-known excavation contractor in Southern Oregon named Ed Ownbey of Mr. Ed’s Backhoe Service. During the first year Thorin worked with Ed all he did was repair/replace damaged, broken, root filled and failing sewer lines and septic systems. After the first year Thorin was able to start operating the equipment to performing new installations. This experience gives Thorin an advantage over other inspection companies that perform sewer scopes and will give you the peace of mind knowing you have had a true professional perform your sewer scope.
For more information on home inspections, sewer scoping or well flow testing throughout the Southern Oregon area, call or text the professionals at Southern Oregon Home Inspections, LLC at 541.956.0464, email us at inspector@sohinspections.com or click here to order an inspection