5 Reasons to Get a Sewer Inspection Before Buying Commercial Property

Purchasing a commercial property is a significant financial commitment. Most buyers consider aspects such as the roof, HVAC system, electrical panels, and foundation. However, one major aspect of the property that is frequently overlooked until a severe issue arises is the sewer system. If a sewer line is damaged, it can cause backflow, flooding, costly repairs, and health hazards. That is why a commercial sewer inspection is highly recommended as part of the due diligence process prior to buying a building.

Getting a professional sewer pipe inspection reveals issues concealed within the underground pipes before turning into very expensive problems. Regardless of whether you are purchasing an office building, a retail center, a warehouse, an apartment complex, or an industrial property, a sewer system inspection will safeguard your investment.

This article will cover five primary reasons why sewer inspections are imperative before buying commercial properties.

What Is a Commercial Sewer Inspection?

Essentially, a commercial sewer inspection is a comprehensive check of a property's underground sewer system. To carry out this sewer assessment, experts typically rely on high-tech cameras and other tools that allow them to visually inspect the pipes' condition from within.

Such an examination can highlight:

• Cracks or broken pipes
• Root intrusion from trees
• Pipe corrosion
• Blockages and buildup
• Collapsed sewer lines
• Poor pipe installation
• Leaks and drainage issues

The method is quite discreet and helps the buyer understand the state of the sewer system before they commit to closing the deal.

1. Avoid Expensive Sewer Repairs After Purchase

One major reason for a commercial sewer inspection is to determine whether repairs are needed before buying the property. A commercial sewer line replacement may require:

• Digging up
• Removing concrete
• Demolishing the parking lot
• Interrupting the business activities
• Permit cost
• Plumbing repairs

Such tasks will be costly and time-consuming. Many sewer issues are buried and cannot be detected by a simple visual inspection of the property. The sewer camera inspection discloses the actual state of the pipes before ownership is transferred.

Common Sewer Issues Found in Inspections

• Broken clay pipes
• Pipe bellies where water collects
• Heavy corrosion in old metal pipes
• Grease buildup in restaurant properties
• Roots from trees breaking joint pipes
• Parts of the sewer that have collapsed

Knowing such problems allows the buyer to negotiate repairs or back out of the purchase before consenting to the risk.

2. Identify Hidden Drainage and Plumbing Problems

During a quick walk-around of a property, a sewer system might look like it is functioning properly. However, it is still possible that there are hidden problems inside the pipes.

Some of the problems a professional sewer pipe inspection can reveal are:

• Slow drainage
• Partial blockages
• Poor water flow
• Potential sewer backups
• Wrong slope of the pipes
• Previous low-quality repairs

These problems may not be obvious at first and may cause significant problems later on.

In case of commercial properties, plumbing failures can affect:

• Tenants
• Employees
• Customers
• Inventory
• Daily operations

On some occasions, problems with the sewer system can disrupt business for a while.

Properties That Need Commercial Sewer Inspection

Commercial sewer inspections are critical for:

• Old buildings
• Restaurants
• Shopping malls
• Apartment complexes
• Warehouse buildings
• Medical offices
• Industrial sites

Older buildings are more likely to have outdated sewer systems that are nearly unusable.

3. Protect Health and Safety

Damaged sewer lines are not only a problem with pipes. Besides plumbing issues, they may bring significant health and safety hazards.

Broken or leaking sewer pipes may expose occupants to:

• Harmful bacteria
• Mold growth
• Sewage pollution
• Unpleasant smells
• Water damage

In commercial places, such problems cause inconvenience to tenants, workers, and customers. Moreover, sewer leaks can damage building structures like foundations, floors, walls, and the garden. If no action is taken, damp issues might spread throughout the building.

Having a commercial sewer inspection done is one step towards identifying potential dangers that have so far remained hidden.

Indications of a Sewer Problem

Some warning signs are:

• Drain backups that happen frequently
• Unpleasant odors around drain areas
• Sinks or toilets are slowly draining
• Presence of damp spots on the premises

There are still chances that sewer issues may be lying unseen underground, even if none of these signs are present.

4. Support Better Investment Decisions

Commercial real estate buyers depend on precise data to guide their investment choices. A sewer inspection can reveal the property's real state.

In the absence of a commercial sewer inspection, buyers could end up with a property with serious underground infrastructure issues they did not know about.

Here is how a sewer camera inspection report could aid a buyer:

• Helps to know the repair work that will be required in future
• Helps estimate maintenance expenses
• Provide grounds for bargaining with sellers
• Facilitate appropriate planning for renovation
• Minimize the risk involved in the investment

Such data would thus be quite important to investors and property managers when assessing property value over the long term.

5. Avoid Sudden Business Disruptions

Even a single sewer failure or breakdown can cause a clog throughout a commercial business operation.

A broken sewer line can lead to:

• Closing of restrooms for a while
• Flooded indoor areas
• Complaints by tenants
• Emergency plumbing work
• Temporary closure of premises
• Loss of income

The unfortunate thing for business owners is that the lost time usually translates to a loss of income. Thus, carrying out a commercial sewer inspection will significantly reduce the risk of sewer emergencies.

Long-Term Advantages of Sewer Inspections

Periodic sewer inspections are an effective way for commercial property owners to:

• Improve maintenance plan
• Lower emergency repair costs
• Increase sewer system durability
• Enhance tenant satisfaction
• Maintain property value appreciation

It is much less stressful to have preventive sewer inspections than to experience an emergency sewer failure.

What Happens During a Sewer Pipe Inspection?

In a sewer pipe inspection, the technician places a waterproof camera inside the sewer pipe. The camera slowly moves along the pipes and captures live video images.

The inspector then uses this video to:

• Spot cracks
• Find pipe separations
• Detect corrosion
• Uncover root intrusion
• Identify debris buildup
• Locate standing water
• Assess structural damage

Once the inspection is complete, clients receive a comprehensive report detailing the condition of the sewer system and any proposed actions.

This method is quick, precise, and highly useful for commercial property inspections.

Choose Experienced Inspectors With GV Commercial Inspection

Compared with residential systems, commercial sewer systems tend to be larger and more intricate. This is why buyers should hire commercial inspectors with prior experience in conducting commercial property inspections.

A properly qualified inspection team can identify less visible risks and report simple yet trustworthy findings on which one can base the purchasing decision.

GV Commercial Building Inspections provides detailed inspection services to assist commercial property buyers in making informed decisions about protecting their investments.

We specialize in detailed commercial sewer line inspections all over Southern California areas such as Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura. Our inspections enable buyers, investors, property managers, tenants, and owners to catch underground sewer damage early enough to avoid major financial losses.

Looking for a commercial sewer inspection in Southern California? Our team is always ready to carry out the sewer inspection.

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