As for the truly hidden conditions, such as the lack of clean pipes that led to the sewer backup, you’re helping everyone else by letting them know what happened to you. “Snaking” the pipes should be on every new homeowner’s move-in list. Unfortunately, unless the bathroom floor was cracked, bouncy or sloping strangely, the engineer could easily have missed the condition. Same for termites. I do a floor bounce with my heels in each room, but plumber-damaged cut floor joists are common, sadly. That’s why building inspectors want the wiring and plumbing installed before the framing inspection is done, so they can see shoddy work. Good luck!

©2013 Monte Leeper. Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.