3 Plumbing Services for a Home That Has Been Vacant

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3 Plumbing Services for a Home That Has Been Vacant

January 25, 2018

Pressure — Currently Vacant Residential House in Meridian, MS

When you move into a home that has been vacant for a while, various problems often pop up and surprise you. Since you don't really know how the old owner maintained the home or what damage occurred while the home sat empty, it's hard to predict what might be wrong. One way to minimize the number of plumbing problems you have in the coming years is to schedule some basic plumbing services as soon as you move in.

Here are three plumbing services to have performed on a home that has been vacant for a while before your move-in.

1. VIDEO SEWER INSPECTION

When a home sits empty, bacteria and fungi in the drains have a chance to replicate, leading to more serious grime and potential clogs. Clogs may also be developing in the main sewer line. These clogs might not show symptoms right away but will start slowing down your drains once you flush toilet paper that gets caught on the clogs.

The best way to detect such issues is to have a video camera inspection of your home's drains and sewer lines. Your plumber can send a tiny camera down through the sewer lines. The camera will generate video footage so you and your plumber can see exactly what the insides of your pipes look like.

If any problems — such as roots growing into the main sewer line or small leaks in a line — are detected by the camera, your plumber can take care of them before they cause any major trouble.

2. HYDROJETTING

Chances are, the video camera inspection will detect at least some degree of grime accumulation inside your drain lines. Plan on having your drain lines and sewer lines hydrojetted to remove this grime. Hydrojetting is a procedure that involves shooting pressurized water down your drain lines. The water will wear away any clogs, sticky grime, and even tree roots in your pipes.

Clogs usually start off as just a little grime stuck inside the drain lines. All it takes is some hair or toilet paper, and before you know it, you have a serious clog. By having your drains hydrojetted from the get-go, you can prevent any serious blockages from developing as you begin using your drain lines more.

After hydrojetting your drains and sewer lines, your plumber will typically reinspect the pipes, using the camera, to ensure all grime and blockages have been removed.

3. SEPTIC TANK PUMPING

If the home has a septic tank rather than a connection to a public sewer system, have the septic tank pumped as soon as you move in. You probably don't know how long it has been since the tank was pumped, and this maintenance should be done approximately every three years to prevent sewage backups.

With the home having been vacant, a lot of solid waste has likely built up in the septic tank, which could cause backups once you start using the home's plumbing more regularly. When you have your septic tank pumped, the service company will remove all solids and grease from the tank. This procedure leaves more space in the tank for the waste and wastewater generated in your home.

The septic company can also look over your tank to make sure there are no major leaks or other issues that require you to repair or replace the septic tank. It's best to find out about such issues early on before you end up with raw sewage in your backyard.

Moving into a vacant home can feel a bit risky because problems can pop up unexpectedly due to a lack of maintenance and use in recent years. However, if you schedule the three services above as soon as you move in, you'll at least avoid major problems with the plumbing. Contact Roto-Rooter to schedule an appointment today.

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