What is Dye Testing?
- Homes In Pittsburgh May Be Connected to One of Two Types of Sewers. ...
- Dye Testing Detects Whether Your Home Is Properly Connected to the Sewer. ...
- Homeowners Get Dye Tests Before Selling. ...
- Cheating is a Bad Idea! ...
- Know What to Do If You Fail the Dye Test. ...
- Contact Terry’s Plumbing for Your Dye Test Or Plumbing Repair. ...
What is a dye test on a house?
During a dye test, a special fluorescent dye is flushed down a drain or downspout on your property. An inspector will then examine the surrounding area for any traces of dyed water. If your home has a septic tank, DO NOT pump it before the test.
Can you sell a house without sewer dye test?
Before a homeowner can sell a property, he or she must produce certification to prove that the home is properly connected to the sewer. Properties that fail the dye test must have their home drainage system repaired before the house can be sold.
Will a dye test be required during a property transfer?
This map is intended only to be a guideline for property owners to indicate if a property is near an identified sanitary sewer area and will likely require a dye test (shown in green). This map does not confirm that a dye test will or will not be required during a property transfer.
How much does it cost to fix a dye tested home?
Once a property meets the compliance criteria, homeowners receive the “Evidence of Compliance Certificate.” If your home fails the dye test, you may have to shell out between $30,000 and $40,000 to fix the issue.
What is dye testing?
Dye testing is a test performed by a plumber. Dye testing determines whether or not your home’s yard drain is connected to a sanitary only sewer. To make this determination, a dye tablet is placed inside outdoor drains, then the drain is flushed with water.
What to do if your home fails the dye test?
If your home fails the dye test, the next step is to contact a plumber in the area who can make the necessary repairs to your home drainage system. Your plumber can hook up your home drainage system to your sewer so that it is legal and your house is ready to sell.
What do you need to sell a home before you can sell it?
Before a homeowner can sell a property, he or she must produce certification to prove that the home is properly connected to the sewer. Properties that fail the dye test must have their home drainage system repaired before the house can be sold.
Can you sell a house in Pittsburgh without a dye test?
The dye test is an escapable part of selling a home in Pittsburgh. Without a dye test, you cannot sell your home within the city limits.
Does Pittsburgh have a plumbing dye test?
If you’re a homeowner in Pittsburgh, you’ve probably had some experience with a plumbing dye test. If you’re just now thinking about buying your first home in Pittsburgh, you may not be familiar with the dye test yet. The dye test is an escapable part of selling a home in Pittsburgh.
What do I do if my property passed the dye test?
No further work is necessary. The property owner will receive an Evidence of Compliance Certificate and will be able to move forward with the sale of the property. All Evidence of Compliance Certificates are valid for three years.
What is a dye test?
Dye testing involves placing a non-staining water soluble dye tablet in the drain or downspout of your property and flushing it with water. The sewer infrastructure is then examined for traces of dyed water. If dye appears, there are illegal connections that will need to be corrected prior to PWSA issuing an Evidence of Compliance Certificate.
Where can I find property information for the Evidence of Compliance Certificate Request Form?
Property information, such as parcel number or ward, can be found on the Allegheny County Property Assessment Portal .
What if my property is located in a combined sewer area?
Because combined sewers accept sanitary waste and stormwater, no dye test is required. After submitting the request form, you will receive an Evidence of Compliance Certificate from PWSA and will be able to move forward with the sale of property. All Evidence of Compliance Certificates are valid for three years.
How do I obtain an existing Evidence of Compliance Certificate?
To obtain a previously-approved Evidence of Compliance Certificate, submit the Evidence of Compliance Application. PWSA will check to see if a test was completed within the last 3 years. If so, the Evidence of Compliance Certificate will be mailed to the requestor.
What is the dye test for Pittsburgh?
All property owners who wish to sell a property in the City of Pittsburgh must be in compliance with the Dye Testing Ordinance before the property can be sold. All property owners must submit an Evidence of Compliance Certificate Application, which is required to determine if a property is in compliance or if a dye test is required prior to selling.#N#A dye test is used to verify if the gutters, driveway drains, yard drains, or other stormwater collection devices are connected to a sanitary sewer that is intended to carry raw sewage only. This type of connection is not allowed and must be fixed before the sale of a property.
How long does it take to get a dye test results from PWSA?
No actions are to be taken until the results are reviewed by PWSA. PWSA will reply to the Dye Testing Results Form within 10 business days of receipt. If corrective actions must be taken, a certified plumber or general contractor may make the corrective actions. A subsequent dye test is then required, and the results must be submitted ...
What happens during a dye test
During a dye test, a special fluorescent dye is flushed down a drain or downspout on your property. An inspector will then examine the surrounding area for any traces of dyed water.
Preparing for the dye test
If your home has a septic tank, DO NOT pump it before the test. If the inspector notices any disturbed soil, he can fail you immediately. There have been instances when homeowners poured bleach into the water supply, toilet, or septic tank to fool the inspector, but trying to fudge the results can backfire and cause you to fail the test.
The Inspection
During inspection, the inspector checks your yard drain, driveway drain, subsurface drain, and ensures that they are not connected to a sanitary-only sewer.
What happens if you fail
If you fail the dye test, you will most likely have to connect your property’s downspouts into the storm water sewer. However, as mentioned above, this can cost you thousands of dollars, and in some cases, cost you more than the value of your house.
