Roots in Sewer Line on Sewer Inspection

[April Birdsong]

Hi there

Needing some guidance if I should run.

I am in due diligence on my 2nd deal and the sewer inspection found 3 areas in the sewer line with very tiny roots. 2 were little nubs and the 3rd was  like a new growth on a tree.  I had a plumber come out and he wasn't sure he could find where to fix it. He doesn't have a scope.  I am having a sewer line repair company come out and give estimate to repair vs replace.  I know this can be expensive.  

The property was built in 1940 and has cast iron piping. Although the plumber said after looking at report pictures, he thinks it is terra cotta. It has 2 separate dwellings. One is a 2bed/2bath completely renovated and the other is a cinder block house 2 bed/1 bath that needs minimum updates. Each have new roof and AC. I plan to use one for MTR and other for STR. Nothing else crazy stood out on inspection. My plan is to buy and hold.

I have read on other posts about this problem and some are able to use things like hydrojet or root killer flush with copper sulfate to hold off needing any repairs. If everything else looks good, would this make you run? I am also thinking about asking for 1/2 of the repair cost from seller. And for those that have bought with this issue, can you share your stories?

Thanks so much. 

April in Georgia 

[Jonathan Greene]

Roots are not an issue in and of themselves. They can be cleared yearly with hydrojetting and that practice is fine as long as the pipes are in tact. There is a big difference between clay and cast iron and any plumber should know which is which. However, with either if there are no breaks, the line is fine. It could need maintenance down the line, but 75% of the sewer scopes I've done for client and for myself (over 100) have had some instance of roots.

Roots get in the joints of the pipes. Your worry is if the pipes are in tact and if the water and sewage flows out. Where I am, roots are nothing, you will maybe get a seller to do a hydrojet to make sure there are no breaks underneath.

In no way would you be entitled to a new sewer line for roots, you would need identified breaks in the line where sewage was escaping.