Plumbing problem disclosure

[marsriver]

When I recently bought a house in Los Angeles, CA, the seller wrote on the disclosure that the main line to the sewer needed "cleaning once a year." I unfortunately interpreted this as normal buildup in the line and did not have this further investigated before closing.

Shortly after moving in, a plumber looked into the main line to clear a stoppage and found extensive root damage that had to have been there for years. The neighbors, the seller's former garder, and the seller's former plumber have all confirmed that the sellers had known about the extent of this problem for a long time. I felt that this damage was not adequately disclosed and have asked them to pay for the repair. They have agreed to partially pay for the repair if I sign a "release of all claims" agreement...basically saying I won't go after them for any other issues that they may have known about.

Should I take partial payment for this repair and sign the agreement, or will I be sorry to sign such an all-encompassing release?

 

[HomeGuru]

The Seller is guilty for mispreresentation by omission since the cause of the problem was not disclosed.
Hire a real estate attorney as you would not want to waive your rights to sue if the Sellers did not fully disclose other things.