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The sump pump wouldn’t quit, the skies were clear, and the water meter sat perfectly still—yet the service line whispered a steady roar. We follow that mystery from the first clue to the likely culprit: a hidden water leak just outside the foundation, feeding the perimeter drains and keeping the pump cycling. Along the way, we show how a sonic listening device turns guesswork into evidence by tracing sound intensity through soil to narrow the dig and confirm the source.

We break down what matters to every homeowner and buyer: where the city’s responsibility ends and yours begins, why the location of the shutoff and meter decides who pays, and how to involve your municipality to verify ownership. We also unpack the real costs of water line repairs, why polyethylene service lines can sometimes be spot-repaired, and how saturated soil near a foundation can become a winter hazard as freezing and expansion stress concrete. Even a finished basement that looks dry can be masking continuous loss if the sump is doing overtime.

If you’re house hunting, we explain why standard inspections don’t include exterior water service testing or sewer scoping, and how those add-ons—like radon or termite checks—can prevent five-figure surprises after closing. With clear examples, we cover using findings to negotiate repairs or credits, and why proactive maintenance inspections help owners catch problems before they escalate. Forewarned is forearmed: when a pump runs on sunny days, it’s not a coincidence—it’s a signal.

Subscribe and share this episode with someone buying in an older neighborhood, and leave a review to tell us the trickiest mystery your house has thrown at you.

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To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)

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