BURLINGTON WEATHER

How Burlington Works

Welcome to Market & Moments, where real estate broker Susan Kadilak shares market updates and lessons learned from more than two decades in the business.

When buyers reach the end of a home inspection and the big ticket items check out, there’s usually a sense of relief. The hard part feels over. From there, the focus shifts to the closing day, paint colors, furniture layouts, and all the plans that come with starting fresh in a new home. It’s an exciting moment!

But sometimes, that dream has a way of unraveling.

We’ve seen this play out here in Burlington — a ticking time bomb that only reveals itself once the keys are in hand. In one case, our client purchased a beautifully renovated home where everything looked flawless – new finishes, updated systems, not a thing out of place. Soon after closing, however, a hidden problem revealed itself.

My clients called me the day their new washer and dryer arrived. The washer wouldn’t drain, and the installer wasn’t sure why.

That phone call set off alarm bells. I immediately recommended a camera inspection of the sewer line to find out what was really going on underground. The results were not what anyone expected. The sewer line was broken and needed immediate repair. Before the buyers could even move in, the yard had to be dug up so the damaged pipe could be replaced. It was a costly, stressful surprise – definitely not the kind of housewarming moment they had imagined.

Camera footage showing roots that have compromised a sewer line

The reality is that a standard home inspection does not include checking out the condition of a home’s sewer line, so even a clear home inspection doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. 

In the Burlington, MA, area, we are seeing aging sewer lines fail more and more often, leading to costly surprise repairs. 

This isn’t just an issue with newly renovated homes that may have been vacant for a while. Another client bought an older, well-lived-in home and moved in after closing without any issues at first. Everything seemed ok until one Sunday afternoon, about three months later, they discovered sewage backing up into the basement. Understandably, they freaked out.

When the drain company arrived to see what was going on, they shared something unsettling: they had been called to that same house six times in the previous two years to clear the line. The previous owners had been told the line was broken and needed repair, but that information was never disclosed to my clients. The fix ultimately cost about $10,000. Thankfully, the previous owners ended up footing the bill.

When wastewater has nowhere to go due to a compromised line, it can come back into the home through sinks, toilets, showers, or floor drains. That means sewage coming inside the house, water damage, health concerns, and a messy, expensive cleanup.

The good news is that a sewer scope inspection is quick and relatively inexpensive, typically in the $300–$500 range. Using a small camera, professionals can spot cracked pipes, blockages, root intrusion, or collapsed sections before they turn into emergencies. Just as importantly, a scope can reveal recurring issues that haven’t surfaced yet.

The takeaway for home buyers is simple: just because a problem isn’t obvious doesn’t mean it’s not there. Whether a home is old, newly renovated, or even brand new, taking the extra step to inspect the sewer line can save you from a very messy surprise after moving in.

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