Q: We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us today.
HomeLife Warranty Protection: It’s no problem, we are happy to share any information you may need.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most common mistake new homebuyers make?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: Not getting a mainline plumbing and drain inspection with a home inspection.
Q: What is a mainline inspection?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: The mainline is the main plumbing line that carries waste and water from the property to the sewer system.
Q: Why is it important to have it inspected before buying a home?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: There are a number of things that can go wrong with the drain lines and mainline that may not be visible during a standard property inspection. If any underground problems exist, a home inspector will not find it. The last thing you want is to have your sewage backed up in your shower drain, toilets, and sinks right after the home is purchased.
Q: That doesn’t sound good…
HomeLife Warranty Protection: It’s not. In addition to being an unpleasant cleaning experience, sewage can cause damage to the inside of your home.
Q: What does a mainline inspection look for?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: Broken and corroded pipes, blockages, bellied pipes, and roots attacking the line.
Q: And none of this can be found during a home inspection?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: Probably not. Most home inspectors do not have the proper equipment and training to perform this service. In addition, the ASHI Standards of Practice, ‘Purpose and Scope’ says, “The inspector shall: A. inspect readily accessible, visually observable, installed systems and components listed in this Standard.” Underground and unseen piping within the home does not fall within the ASHI standard.
Q: What kind of equipment?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: The mainline requires a special camera and light that can be lowered into the pipe and moved around. The captured images are viewable on a screen, allowing the plumbing professional to alert the potential homeowner to any issues, while providing recorded video evidence for the Buyer and, if needed, to the Seller.
Q: Are plumbing repairs expensive?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: Yes, they can be, especially the mainline. The inspection usually only costs a few hundred dollars while digging up the line can cost $10,000 or more.
Q: Who would be responsible for paying for that if it was not discovered during a home inspection?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: Once the papers are signed, this becomes the buyer’s responsibility. After all, if the home inspector couldn’t tell anything was wrong, it is reasonable to assume the seller had no idea either. Many times however, mainline issues and symptoms are previously present and not disclosed up front. All the more reason, to get this inspected before you purchase a home, because proving that the sellers did not disclose the issue will be very difficult.
Q: Do homeowner’s insurance policies cover mainline repair?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: It is possible that homeowner insurance will cover home damages, demo, and repairs resulting from the first backup. However, a second backup will probably not be covered. If the mainline is broken outside the foundation of the home and no damage to the home will exist, then the homeowner insurance will not cover the expense, generally.
Q: Should the purchase contract be canceled if issues are discovered?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: It’s a good idea to make the purchase contingent upon successful mainline and whole house drain inspection.
Q: Are there chemicals that can clear a drain?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: The mainline isn’t like an interior drain. When you’re looking at blockages here, you’re not looking at just hair and grease. Major blockages may need manual clearing or could require the use of a waterjet. Some companies offer to chemically clean sewage lines if major odor problems exist, but for blockages nothing works like physical force.
Q: What kind of items can block the mainline?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: We have seen everything from glass bottles to washcloths, baby toys, and dead animals. Roots, however, are perhaps the biggest problem and the most difficult to rectify. And with broken pipes, roots go right to the moisture and start creating havoc.
Q: How is root damage repaired?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: It is often necessary to dig up at least a portion of the pipe and replace the damaged section.
Q: Are there any other systems or appliances that should be inspected before purchasing a home?
HomeLife Warranty Protection: Generally, home inspectors perform a visual examination of the HVAC system that is limited to the minimum ASHI Standards of Practice. It is a good idea to have this checked out since it can be one of the more expensive repairs a homeowner will face.
Q: That’s great advice. Thank you.
HomeLife Warranty Protection: You are very welcome.
View Comments (20)
I have been using HomeLife Warranty Protection for several years and can’t even begin to express how happy I am their reps recommended I have a mainline plumbing inspection done. That was the best $400 I’ve ever spent.
We really appreciate your positive feedback. We would much rather our customers be armed with the truth than to get caught off guard by hidden problems later on down the road.
Why is it so expensive to replace a mainline plumbing pipe? According to HomeLife Warranty Protection, that can cost upwards of $10,000. Shouldn’t it just be a matter of digging a ditch and laying new pipe?
As with all things, it’s not as cut and dry as it sounds. There is digging involved, yes, but the pipe has to be laid in a way so as to avoid obstacles and sealed to prevent sewage seepage. If laying new pipe involves cutting through concrete or going through brick, it becomes exponentially more difficult and thus more expensive. It really is a nasty and dirty job which makes the cost proportional.
Can I stipulate in my home purchase contract that a HomeLife Warranty Protection policy come with the home before I buy?
Absolutely! It is always the choice of the buyer to select the warranty. Most real estate agents will have no problem switching the warranty to the buyer’s choice. A home warranty is sold in approximately 90% of residential primary home real estate transactions.
I know that HomeLife Warranty Protection covers large plumbing jobs so I’m wondering if they can answer this question: Why are roots so drawn to leaky mainline pipes? I say it’s the moisture, my wife believes it has more to do with the solid waste.
Actually, you’re both right. Trees need three things to survive: light, water, and nutrients. They get the light from the sun and water and nutrients from the ground. Mainline plumbing pipes, when leaking, act as an irrigation system and also provide nutrients from the human waste they carry. Think about it, farmers have used mulch and manure for years to enrich their crops. It is the same concept.
I would be really interested to know if HomeLife Warranty Protection has any advice on how to troubleshoot a suddenly non-functional HVAC system?
There are a number of different things that can go wrong with your heating and air-conditioning. One of the most common problems in newer systems is condensation pipe backup. The small white pipes carry condensation created by warm and cold air outside of the house. When they get backed up, the power is cut off immediately until the blockage is cleared. Also, check to see if any electrical fuses are blown. There is plenty of online information from homeowners and contractors that can help you troubleshoot initially on your own for the easy stuff.
In response to the comment about an HVAC pipe getting clogged up if there’s nothing but water running through the pipes, what could possibly create a clog? Is this something that a HomeLife Warranty Protection rep can answer?
Yes, ideally there is only water running through the pipes. However, if the hvac system has not been maintained, then dirt and debris from the coils can result in condensate blockage. In short, if the condensate drain pipe is clogged, then the proper cleaning and maintenance was not performed. It is worth noting that a condensate drain clog could cause water could overflow the drain pan causing serious water damage to the property. That’s why it is recommended to get a professional hvac contractor to inspect the system twice per year.
I am a plumber and I can tell you that HomeLife Warranty Protection is absolutely correct that nothing clears blockages quite like physical force. The big box stores sell jugs of chemicals they market as mainline cleaners but they don’t do much more than clear away some of the organic matter. They don’t touch the solid debris or roots.
We appreciate you taking the time to lend your expert knowledge to the conversation. This information will help us better impact our customers and save them money. A more informed customer is a better customer.
Does HomeLife Warranty Protection offer home insurance policies?
Unfortunately, no. What we do is provide peace of mind in case one of your home’s major systems malfunctions at no fault of your own. We do not provide insurance policies, per se, but we are there to ensure that you aren’t left in a ditch in case of a major system malfunction.
I have never really understood the whole idea between a main line and an interior line. HomeLife Warranty Protection actually does a really good job of explaining it. Thanks!
The interior lines (drain lines) of sinks, toilets, shower, and tubs all drain into the main line where it is delivered away from the home to the municipal utility. We are glad that you enjoyed reading the interview.
My question for HomeLife Warranty Protection has more to do with home inspections than anything. Do some home inspectors have a camera onsite or is that service a completely separate deal?
Some may have a line camera, but it’s rare. A camera inspection is usually handled by a licensed plumbing contractor. The camera equipment needed is expensive and plumbing is a special area of expertise that requires someone with intricate knowledge of potential problems. For instance, a home inspector with access to a drain camera may not be able to differentiate the difference between broken pipe and/or matter that is stuck onto the PVC. Also, home inspectors only provide an inspection of visible items and are not responsible for items that are not easily and readily visible with the naked eye.