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Sewage system mahole coverInspect Building Sewer Line on Public Sewer

How to inspect or test the main building drain when it's connected to a public sewer:

This article explains what inspections and tests should be performed after we have determined that a building is actually connected to the public sewer system. In the previous sections of this article on determining if a building is connected to a public sewer or to a private septic tank and drainfield, we explained how to find out if public sewer service is even available on a given street and we gave clues for finding out if a particular building has been connected to the sewer mains.

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When a Building is Probably Connected to Sewer What Should be Checked?

Sewer Connection Inspection Guide for buildings Built After Sewer System Installation

Action guide when buying a building where a Sewer System is present and the building is the same age or newer than the public sewer system

  1. The building is (probably) connected to the public sewer:

    one would expect that a building that was constructed after a local sewer system was installed on its street would be connected to that system. To do otherwise would be costly and unusual.

    You should be able to confirm this connection with your municipal building department.

    Watch out: even in a community served by a public sewer, older homes constructed before the public sewer was installed might still be connected to a private on-site septic system. An older septic system of unknown condition may be at or near its end of life and worse, it may be unsafe, risking a collapse hazard.

    At GUIDE for BUILDINGS PRE-DATING SEWER INSTALLATION we explain how to determine if the building is connected to a public sewer or to a private septic system. Further investigation may be required.

  2. Inspect the drain system:

    After confirming that everyone asserts that the home is connected to the sewer line, your home inspector should visually inspect and also test the building drainage system for evidence of leaks or blockage.

    The inspector may also check for the presence of a main trap or house trap where the waste line leaves the building.

    Remember that usually the sewer line between the building and the sewer main is owned by and is the responsibility of the property owner.

    If the sewer line is old, damaged, or clogged, its repair will probably be at the expense of the owner.

    If there are concerns about the age, condition, destination, or history or materials of the main drain, sewer line, or septic piping, you can rent a sewer line inspection video camera or you can hire an expert to perform this service for you.

    See SEWER / SEPTIC PIPE CAMERAS

  3. Check the tax bills to see if there is an assessment for sewer costs; check construction records to confirm when and how the building was connected to the sewer system.

  4. If there is any chance that the building is older than the public sewer system

    that it is connected to,

    see GUIDE for BUILDINGS PRE-DATING SEWER INSTALLATION

 


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GUIDE for BUILDINGS CONNECTED to PUBLIC SEWER at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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