Portland, Oregon Sewer Scope Home Test Guide

Article thumbnail

Having the sewer line scoped before you purchase a home in Portland, Oregon is a very good idea. Sewer lines can cost a few thousand, to tens of thousands of dollars to repair or replace, but a sewer scope typically costs just $100-$200 in the Portland area. Sometimes after a sewer scope, the city of Portland will even determine that the sewer line is illegal (we’ll get into this) and require its full replacement. In this article, we’ll go through some of the most frequent questions home owners and buyers ask our real estate agents about sewer scopes. Whether you’re buying or selling a brand new or hundred year old home in Portland, there is a reason to check the sewer line.

What is a sewer scope?

A sewer scope is a simple home test that checks the sewer lines for blockages, leaks and damage. It will also tell you what kind of material your sewer pipes are made of. 

Your sewer inspector will first locate the “clean out”, a capped pipe located on or near your property line which connects to the lateral sewer line. They will open the cap and insert a camera attached to a sewer snake. As the snake travels through the sewer line, the inspector watches the footage on a monitor. If the sewer line inspector can’t find the clean out, typically they will request to pull a toilet and run their camera through that way. Once the video is done, typically they will post the results for you on Youtube and provide a written report that typically results in a simple pass or fail.

How do I know if the home needs a sewer scope?

Typically, a sewer scope is recommended for any home in Portland more than 20 years old. But we have seen sewer lines fail on brand new homes! Newer homes can have failed sewer lines due to bad installation. The sewer line must be properly connected to the house, and of course the main public sewer line as well. Older homes have failed sewer lines due to wear and tear, whether it is a cracked line from root instructions, settled bellies in the sewer line, clogged lines, or other failures.

Even if no problems are visible on the surface (soggy lawn, sewer smell), it doesn’t take long for a small leak in a sewer line to turn into a big problem, especially if there are trees growing nearby. Tree roots are very good at getting into sewer lines! Newer sewer lines are often a kind of PVC material which means the tree roots will slip around the line. Older sewer lines are often cast iron, which tree roots love to break through.

Is a sewer scope included with Portland home inspections?

No, typically you’ll need to order your sewer scope separately. Some home inspectors offer the service for an extra charge. Otherwise, most plumbing companies will be able to do the job. Talk to your Portland real estate agent for recommendations. 

Who pays for the sewer line test?

Typically, if the seller doesn’t know of any issues with the sewer line, they’re not going to offer to have a scope done on behalf of the buyer. In that case, it’s up to the potential buyer to have a scope done. 

What if the scope turns up an issue with the sewer line?

Sewer line blockages and clogs are relatively easy to fix by jetting the line with high water pressure, but if the sewer line is corroded, cracked, misaligned or otherwise needs replacement, the costs can add up quickly. Spot repairs alone are typically thousands of dollars.

The first thing to do is to get quotes for the repairs from qualified plumbers. You may want to at least consider getting a quote from a plumber that didn’t perform the sewer scope. As a home buyer, you have the option to negotiate with the seller to reduce the price of the home to reflect these costs, or request that the seller repair or replace the line. In a tight market, the seller may not be accommodating, but it’s worth discussing with your real estate agent. 

What if the sewer line is part of a party (non-conforming)?

Hint, this isn’t a party you want to attend. The City of Portland requires individual properties to have independent connections to the public sewer. You can read all about the city of Portland’s rules about party lines here. Party sewer lines happen when two or more homes have their lines connect together before joining up with the main public sewer line. If these lines are discovered (sewer scope) they will be reported to the City of Portland, and the city will require that new independent sewer lines are installed within 180 days. Also if your sewer line crosses through another home’s property line to get to the main sewer line and there is no recorded easement, an easement must be approved and recorded or a new line must be installed. Finally, sometimes sewer lines extend out past the home’s property line and run through yards of property that is not theirs, but also doesn’t belong to another private homeowner. In these strange cases, the city may adopt the part of the sewer line that goes past the home’s lot lines, or may require an adjustment of the line.

Dig vs. No Dig Sewer Line Repairs

One of the reasons sewer lines can cost so much to repair or replace is the digging. In the past, one had to dig up expensive landscaping, maybe jack through concrete driveways or sidewalks to get to the line, then pull it up and replace it. Now, there are fantastic no-dig options where a plumbing company can re-line the old sewer line with near indestructible material, potentially saving hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Are homes with public sewers or septic systems more valuable?

This is an interesting question and I couldn’t find any reports online about the subject. So I’ve started an annual report on home values, septic vs. public sewer. You can see the latest report for Portland, Oregon here.

We recommend a sewer scope on every home purchase.

Unless the sewer line was (very) recently tested, we recommend a sewer scope inspection is performed to protect our clients. No one wants the sewer backing up into the house or flooding the front lawn of your new home.

Are you ready to get into a new Portland home before the end of 2020? Contact our top 1% buyers or sellers real estate agents today! 

Let's Connect
Contact us.

What My Clients Are Saying

We have worked with many Realtors over the years and Stephen is by far the best we have ever met. He's very knowledgeable and gets the job done quickly. We had multiple offers after one day, not because we were under priced but because we had maximum exposure at the appropriate price!

Karen