How to handle sewer line system issues

Question

Hi BP members,

How would you handle a nice deal with house having potential sewer line issues?

We are buying a rental property seems to be a good deal. But its house with age of 75+ years. Our initial sewer line system inspection showed that there is at least on crack down the sewer line system. We are not sure if continue the deal: could ask the sellers fix one of them. But its very likely that the sellers will not agree with fixing all the issues.

Another option is to continue the deal even though sewer line is having issues. But we could get some insurance to cover it. Those sewer line system insurance is cheap $10-25?MO. If something happens in the future, we could use the insurance to help.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Jon Holdman · Answer

Is it clay pipe, cast iron, or some type of plastic?  I'd guess its clay.  If it already has one problem its a whole line of problems in waiting.  Digging up one spot and fixing something is likely a waste of time.  I've been there.  They're going to dig down to find the problem and try to tie a new piece of pipe to the old stuff and the old stuff is going to break.  They will dig a little more, try again, it will break again.  This clay pipe has a finite lifetime.  75 years is at the end of its lifetime.  Cast iron is no better.

Jon Holdman · Answer

If the sellers won't pay to fix it try offering to split the cost.  I would (and have) fixed lines in this situation as a seller.  Get multiple bids.  For whatever reason, I've found bids on sewer line replacement vary widely.  But I would fix it, even if its 100% out of pocket.  This is a source of unending tenant problems.

Dave Chow · Answer

Update:

The sellers got the issue fixed. Below is the summary of the inspection about the sewer line. Suggestions are welcome.

Its an expensive fixing: 4k.

Sewer line exits the back of the house and turns and runs out to 80th St. in the front. Overall, the line is in fair condition and functioning as intended at this time. The line out front of the house has very little slope going most of the

way across the yard. The offsets in the clay tile presented a problem with catching debris, therefore we replaced that clay tile with PVC pipe out in front of the house. This will allow it to flow better. Due to how the line was originally

laid, there is not a lot of fall so the PVC pipe is holding about an inch of water. This should not be an issue and the line will function as intended.

There is a minor amount of tree roots in the line so I recommend foaming tree root killer be put down the sewer line a couple times a year. This can be purchased at any home-improvement store and just follow the directions.

Additionally The Sewer Doctors will guarantee any work that we did on the sewer line for as long as the new homeowner lives in the house.

Jon Holdman · Answer

Hard to make out what's going on in the picture.  If there is some reason to believe there is a specific issue affecting that location then maybe the rest of the line is OK.  Tree roots are a common culprit.  Could be something was dug right in that spot and broke the line.  Or shifting where the pipe exits the foundation.  But it you cannot identify a specific cause for a problem at that location then its likely you're just looking at the first of multiple problems.

The sellers may balk, but your agent should remind their agent now that they're aware of a problem they need to disclose it to future buyers.  IDK about your area, but this is a REALLY common problem here.  Buyers are well aware they should scope the sewer in older houses and will insist it get fixed.  I've paid about $4000-5000 for runs about 80 +/- feet that are about four feet down.  Soils here are generally pretty friendly.  If you're blasting or diging through bedrock it would be more.  Cutting into the street can double that cost.

Dave Chow · Answer

Its a completely remolded house with brand new ac/heater/furnace and 10-year roof. But inspector cannot access crawler basement to check house structure. House got some electric system issues , together with the sewer pipeline issues.

@Jon Holdman, yes you are correct that it would be clay. I am attaching the pic that locates the crack. So no need to fix at all? Sounds like the only solution would be replace the whole line which might break the deal.

@Sam Shueh, I am not sure if it got roots down there. Yes agreed about all older properties having a problem. So to keep the deal going, just take the current situation about the sewer line?

@Steve B. its an investment property and I do have a buyer agent to represent me. In your opinion, how the agent could help more?

Sam Shueh · Answer

Any tree(roots) in the path of sewer line? I would say 99% of older properties have a problem.....

Dave Chow · Answer

Thanks all for the information. So now we had 2 technicians came down to check the line. And both said they cannot get a full scoping due to a crack down the line. So what we had to do is to ask sellers fix the whole/crack first; upon that we could run another scanning to see any further issues.   Not fun situation at all.

How to handle sewer line system issues

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