We believe that knowledge is power when it comes to protecting one of your biggest life purchases. Talking about sewer line maintenance is not the most glamorous homeownership topic, but it is one of the important responsibilities of a homeowner. This is why we work hard to educate our buyers and sellers on the best practices to maintain your home. We also refer our clients to the best industry professionals when it comes to things out of our scope.
There are certain types of construction, products and materials used in Calgary homes over the years that some people consider to be less desirable. Polybutylene (Poly B) plumbing, post-tension cables and asbestos to name a few. As your realtor, we will do our best to identify these items in a home and educate you on the pros and cons before you write an offer on a property.
One more item I would add to the list is Orangeburg sewage pipes. Orangeburg pipes are considered less desirable because they are made from wood pulp and coal tar. The porous nature of this pipe makes it decay faster which can lead to cracking or collapsing. This type of pipe was used a lot in the 1950s and has a life expectancy of 40-50 years. For reference, the more common pipes used today – cast iron and PVC – have an estimated lifespan of 100 years. Unfortunately you can only find out if there are Orangeburg sewer lines by doing a sewer scope (video inspection).
If you own a home in one of Calgary’s 1950s communities like Bankview, Wildwood, Glenbrook, Richmond, Haysboro, Bowness, Montgomery etc., it might be worth getting a sewer scope done, especially if you are planning to sell and are noticing signs of clogged pipes.
Having this type of pipe isn’t necessarily a deal breaker in a real estate transaction, but it is something worth monitoring while you’re in your home. It’s relatively inexpensive to get the pipes checked but repairs can be costly and a sewer backup can be devastating. It is important to get ahead of potential issues that may occur.
You may not see an immediate ROI on having clear sewage pipes but it can give a potential buyer reassurance they are making a good purchase.
When buying a property we recommend including a sewer scope when you do your property inspection. Many property inspectors have the equipment and licensing to perform sewer scopes. For an extra few hundred dollars, it could save you tens of thousands in repairs.
Sewer line inspections are highly recommended for homes in older neighbourhoods that have mature trees which have been known to break through the pipes over time causing damage or clogs. We recommend getting a sewer inspection in new neighbourhoods too. After all, you never know if something was installed incorrectly – there could be an offset joint or a belly in the line from a piece of machinery sitting on top of the sewer line after it was installed.
But backups don’t only occur in the lines connecting to the city sewer system, they can also happen where appliances that use a lot of water drain into the same pipes as a sink in a laundry room, for example. It is important to know where your main water shutoff is in the event you have a backup and cannot identify where the water is coming from.
How to identify if you have a clog in your sewer line:
- Multiple clogged fixtures – slow drainage.
- Bad odours coming from the plumbing.
- Gurgling noises from any drains.
- Fluctuating toilet bowl water levels.
- Water coming up through your floor drain in the basement. **A great tip to monitor this is adding a water alarm on the floor to notify you if a backup is happening.
How to avoid clogging your pipes:
- Be mindful of what you put down your drain. Bacon grease and other fatty substances can build up in the pipes. Non-biodegradable items and paper towels don’t break down as easily and can cause blockages.
- Regular inspections and maintenance. This might include auguring out any tree roots that are getting into the pipes. Sewer professionals recommend getting an inspection done once every 1-3 years.
If you have concerns about your pipes and want to make sure you are protected in case of an emergency, talk to your insurance provider to discuss your sewer line coverage. Some providers include sewer backup coverage in all their packages, but some don’t – so you may need to add it on.
For more home tips and free education, check out our social media and our other blogs. If you are considering buying a home and want to learn more about how we educate our buyers or if you are thinking about selling and want to get ahead of any potential roadblocks, give us a call!
