Sewer Cleaning & Inspection in Seattle: Here’s How Often You Need To Get it Done

Seattle’s heavy rainfall and abundant tree growth aren’t the only reasons to be on top of sewer inspection and cleaning. Sewer line inspection Seattle has a huge hidden cost that many property owners don’t know about.

Alert! Sewer Line Inspections in Seattle

Homeowners in Seattle are in a uniquely tricky situation compared to those in other cities. Here, property owners are held responsible for repairs to the entire length of side-sewer pipe that connects a home to the main line. Don’t think you’re just having a pipe fixed or replaced either; repair costs also include excavation and street or sidewalk resurfacing. Total costs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The Seattle Times offers a deeper look into the situation, and makes clear that the consequences of a sewer line failure aren’t limited to dollars and cents; they also mean lots of raw sewage spilling out into the street.

The Basics

Homes 10 or more years old

Homes of this age should get an inspection (and cleaning as needed) roughly every six months. If that seems like a lot, don’t forget the cost of a major repair. Besides, technological advances in the field have made real-time video inspection possible. Any issues can be diagnosed on the spot.

If your home is newer than 10 years old, you only need to get an inspection once a year

If you’re moving to a new home, be sure to get an inspection before you move in, or else you could wind up with an expensive problem before you move in. Seattle utility officials have recommended budgeting $10,000 to $40,000 for sewer repairs to new home purchases. Invest a little bit of money in an inspection and you may save yourself loads more.

The specific benefits of regular sewer inspections and cleaning

Prevent and treat backups

Non-invasive video inspections are the industry standard for sewer inspection and allow problems to be diagnosed almost immediately. If any clogs are blockages are identified, they can be water jetted away to prevent sewage backups in your home.

Early diagnoses

Especially when it comes to sewer repair in Seattle, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regular cleanings will give you and your sewer inspector a clear sense of what’s going on underground and what problems you may be able to anticipate having to invest in.

Improve sewer line longevity

You probably don’t think about it very often, but your sewer line is one of the most important parts of your home. Think of how many times you’ve flushed your toilets today alone. If it weren’t for your sewer lines all that nasty stuff wouldn’t be going anywhere you didn’t carry it. Treat your sewer well and save yourself some (large amounts of) money and ensure your sewer line has the longest life it can.

If you think your home may be ready for a sewer cleaning or inspection, or even a repair, get in touch with us today!