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A calm estate purchase turned chaotic when the sewer backed up just three weeks after move-in. We pull back the floorboards on what really went wrong: a rotted cast-iron section hiding directly under a foundation wall, invisible to a standard home inspection and ready to fail the moment a family’s daily water use ramped up. With the clock ticking and a toddler in the house, we break down how to think through the choices—dangerous excavation, structural disruption, permitting headaches—or a fast, trenchless reline that restores flow without tearing the home apart.

You’ll hear how the plumber’s camera found the missing bottom of the pipe and why vacancy and “little old lady” occupancy can mask serious defects that only show up under full load. We explain the relining process step by step, from gaining access through the basement slab to installing a five-foot cured-in-place liner that bridged the failure beneath the foundation and into the crawl. We talk real numbers and realities: the difference between a roughly $2,500 reline and an excavation that can quickly stack up to five figures once shoring, wall removal, and restoration are factored in. The result was a stable line, same-day usability, and a huge sigh of relief.

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Beyond sewer lines, we spotlight another blind spot: chimneys. Creosote-fueled heat can crack flue tiles and create hidden fire paths, and many homeowners never notice the event. We share what to ask from your inspector, when to request add-on scopes, and how to read red flags like vacant listings, mature trees near laterals, and older clay or cast-iron systems. If you’re buying, renovating, or just catching up on maintenance, this is your playbook for avoiding big bills, messy repairs, and unsafe systems.

If this story helped you think differently about inspections, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave a quick review with your top pre-closing must-do. Your support helps more homeowners avoid preventable disasters.

Adventures in Home Buying, the ultimate podcast for anyone navigating the exciting, sometimes daunting world of purchasing a home! Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or dreaming of your forever home, our engaging stories and expert insights will guide you through every step of the homebuying journey. From decoding mortgages and mastering bidding wars to uncovering hidden costs and spotting sustainable home features, we deliver practical tips and real-world advice to empower you with confidence.

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