Something disclosed that wasn’t done?

[Cjohns2308]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Cjohns2308]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

iowa

I bought a house a year ago and it was disclosed that my sewage and my plumbing lines were replaced to the street. Fast forward to this month, my neighbor has been having issues with her sewage and keeps stating that our lines connect. The city has no records that the work was done which was disclosed that it was. Is this normal? If it comes back that the lines were not replace and that our lines do connect and I have to pay for this repair, can I go after the seller due to falsifying documents?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cjohns2308]

Forgot to include that our lines are being cameraed tomorrow to find out for sure.

 

[LdiJ]

Forgot to include that our lines are being cameraed tomorrow to find out for sure.

How old are your houses? Its possible that the previous seller never knew if the lines were truly connected. However, if the lines are connected it would almost have to be that the other party connects to you before you connect to the street since your lines were replaced, therefore it should not be your repair problem.

 

[Cjohns2308]

How old are your houses? Its possible that the previous seller never knew if the lines were truly connected. However, if the lines are connected it would almost have to be that the other party connects to you before you connect to the street since your lines were replaced, therefore it should not be your repair problem.

My house was built in 1920. I’m being told the town I live in did have common sewer lines at one point. The confusing part is, is that the city claims they have no record of the lines being replaced....? Which makes me think they weren’t. I reached out to the company who did the repairs and they confirmed it was done to the curb/street but not to the main. And they didn’t see where it connected. But this job was done in 2012.

 

[FarmerJ]

While your at it check with your city public works desk to see if there is a tap card on file for your address and same again giving the neighbors address. If by chance these two homes are indeed on a shared sewer line it would make sense that the neighbor would be having problems like back ups if the neighbors home was just a bit down hill from yours. As to the point where the line was replaced , this could all be connected to a clay tile line that is failing (cracked, leaking or even starting to cave in) and check with public works to learn if your homes water line has a tap card as well ( in my old neighbor hood there were some homes that also had one stop box serving two homes for water .

 

[HRZ]

COmmon sew lines are a big Code problem ...but it's unclear if you duty runs to property line or to the main .

GEnerally speaking a seller would not be accountable for an unknown issue, especially past closing .

HOWEVER the precise wording of disclosure may matter...to the street is NOT the same as to the main.

THere may be some issues as to shared cost to separate the lines, and which line runs where ....

 

[Cjohns2308]

COmmon sew lines are a big Code problem ...but it's unclear if you duty runs to property line or to the main .

GEnerally speaking a seller would not be accountable for an unknown issue, especially past closing .

HOWEVER the precise wording of disclosure may matter...to the street is NOT the same as to the main.

THere may be some issues as to shared cost to separate the lines, and which line runs where ....

My thoughts are if the lines were not replaced new to the street like the disclosure says. Isn’t that falsifying information? We are having our lines cameraed today to find out if the lines meet and where compared to where the obstruction in the sewer line is. The neighbors have had multiple people out to camera the line, and they were able to see a ‘Y’ where we should meet - however none of them were able to find out if that ‘Y’ goes to my house, or whether it’s capped off due to them putting in a new line, if that makes sense.

 

[Cjohns2308]

While your at it check with your city public works desk to see if there is a tap card on file for your address and same again giving the neighbors address. If by chance these two homes are indeed on a shared sewer line it would make sense that the neighbor would be having problems like back ups if the neighbors home was just a bit down hill from yours. As to the point where the line was replaced , this could all be connected to a clay tile line that is failing (cracked, leaking or even starting to cave in) and check with public works to learn if your homes water line has a tap card as well ( in my old neighbor hood there were some homes that also had one stop box serving two homes for water .

Thanks for your insight. I’ll have to ask!

 

[HRZ]

Per your post..the lines were repaired to the curb/street .

Apparently your line works?

 

[Cjohns2308]

Per your post..the lines were repaired to the curb/street .

Apparently your line works?

Correct. We have not had any issues with our sewer however the neighbor has. And she claims that our lines are connected.

 

[LdiJ]

Correct. We have not had any issues with our sewer however the neighbor has. And she claims that our lines are connected.

Then the problem cannot be with your part of the lines, because you are not having any problems.

 

[FarmerJ]

curious as to what you found out re tap cards when you called your city and about the results of your camera inspection to the line. ( I have to go to bed since I work over nights )

 

[xylene]

The neighbors have had multiple people out to camera the line, and they were able to see a ‘Y’ where we should meet - however none of them were able to find out if that ‘Y’ goes to my house, or whether it’s capped off due to them putting in a new line, if that makes sense.

You should hire more skilled people that the neighbors, someone with a better scope. Also, consider working with neighbor to have your line and theirs scoped simultaneously.

 

[Cjohns2308]

curious as to what you found out re tap cards when you called your city and about the results of your camera inspection to the line. ( I have to go to bed since I work over nights )

I haven’t gotten a chance to call yet - I work long hours and they are only in the office for literally 3 hours a day lol