Plugged Pipes = Pricey Problem!
While spending a beautiful afternoon in my garden, I was watching EPCOR (City of Edmonton Drainage Branch) dig up the road in front of my house. Hard water deposits over the years had almost completely blocked the existing water pipe.
The EPCOR guys said that in older neighbourhoods, you also have to watch for plugged sewer/drainage pipes and constricted water pipes, . Those pipes leak and tree roots love to find a leak and grow into the pipe, sometimes resulting in a total blockage.
EPCOR takes responsibility for replacement of the water pipe and clearing out the roots or installing a new sewer/drainage pipe at their cost. However, they only replace the pipes that run from their main pipe to the property line. Blockages don’t stop at the property line. Not surprisingly, you are responsible for blockages from your property line to your home (the homeowner’s portion). Big ticket items like this could be very, very expensive!
Consider exploring the issue of blocked or constricted water and sewage pipes before agreeing to purchase any property, especially in older areas. Why? Because the seller has no responsibility for replacing or repairing these pipes unless you discover that there is an issue and you make/negotiate for the seller to repair these pipes prior to going unconditional on your purchase.