Live in Seattle? Here’s how often you should get your sewers inspected

How often should you get your sewers inspected? This is a question we get all the time from Bob Oates customers. To put it bluntly, if you have to ask, it’s probably time you get them checked out. Better safe than sorry as they say, and safe in this case means avoiding an extremely costly repair if and when your sewer line decides to give out on you.

If you live in Seattle, sewer line inspections are particularly important

It’s true — Seattle sewer inspections are extra important, and not just because of the rain. As this informative article from the Seattle Times points out, when it comes to sewer lines, Seattle homeowners are in a specifically sticky spot. Unlike a lot of other major cities, Seattle holds property owners responsible for the side-sewer pipe that runs from their home all they way to the connection with the city main. So if your sewer line ruptures, you’re responsible for the cost to repair it, including the cost to dig down to the pipe, resurface the sidewalk, etc.

As mentioned in the Seattle Times article, one Queen Anne homeowner found that out the hard way when his sewer line burst, spraying raw sewage on a public stairwell, which resulted in thousands of dollars worth of repairs.

Act now, Seattleites!

The house with the ruptured side-sewer mentioned in the article was built in 1909, which brings a particular issue for many homeowners into relief. Most of the Seattle sewer system is composed of concrete, and concrete typically has a shelf life of about 80 years before it begins to degrade. On average, most Seattle homes were built before 1960, so you can see how the math works here. Plus, with soil erosion and the natural spreading of root systems, both thanks to the rain, many Seattle homes are reaching that special age where sewer line replacement isn’t just a good idea, it’s a necessity.

Let’s Break it Down

In general, the rule of thumb for sewer inspections is once a year for homes less than 10 years old. If your home is older than that, it’s best to shoot for inspections and cleanings every 6 months, if necessary. At Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter, we’re here to help you get your sewers cleaned, inspected, and relined if need be, all in one fell swoop, without having to trench or dig up the ground.

It does help to have a set of eyes down there in order to properly identify the problem, but that’s where a sewer camera inspection comes in! Real time video of  your sewer line can give us the vision we need without having to dig up your yard to locate the problem. Getting to the problem sooner rather than later could save you from more expensive problem repair costs.

Any time you can avoid digging up your yard, driveway, patio or beloved landscape in order to discover a small clog in your sewer line, you save on the cost of restoration. With Bob Oates, a sewer line camera makes problem solving quick and saves you money when it comes to all forms or sewer repair.

Here are the specific benefits of regular sewer inspections and cleaning:

• Help prevent and treat backups and blockages cost effectively
• Deal with typical debris (grease, roots, sand) before it leads to problems
• Determine the overall condition of your sewer line to diagnose problems early on
• Improve your sewer line’s longevity

Seattle homeowners are faced with particular challenges when it comes to sewer line cleaning and inspections. But when it comes down to it, Bob Oates Sewer, & Rooter is your best choice for video sewer inspection in Seattle. Whether it’s cleaning, inspection, trenchless sewer repair — you name it, we’ve got the experience and the customer service to provide you with the best all around solutions for sewer and drain maintenance in town.

If you’re interested in a Seattle sewer inspection from Bob Oates, please get in touch today!