Portland, Oregon Sewer Scope Home Test Guide

Updated 02/2025.
If you plan to buy a home in Portland, should you have a sewer line scoped before purchasing?
It’s a smart idea for both new and old homes in Portland for more than one reason. One is financial. Sewer lines can cost from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars to repair or replace. In contrast, sewer scope typically costs just $100-$200 in the Portland area.
Another reason is legal. After a sewer scope, the city of Portland may determine that the sewer line is illegal and requires complete replacement. You can factor that into your negotiations since you don’t own the home yet.
This article digs further into the topic of sewer scopes, answering some of the most frequent questions homeowners and buyers have.
What is a sewer scope?

A sewer scope is a simple home test that checks sewer lines for blockages, leaks, and damage. It also tells you the material of your sewer pipe.
Your sewer inspector will first locate the “clean out,” a capped pipe on or near your property line that 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, they will typically request to pull a toilet and run their camera through that way. Once the video is done, they will likely post the results for you on YouTube and provide a written report that typically results in a simple pass or fail.
Scheduling a sewer scope is usually quick and easy. The test itself takes a few hours or less, and most plumbing companies in Portland can perform the test within a day or two, avoiding the need to delay the purchase timeline. Since the cost is fairly minimal ($100 to $200), it’s a small investment for peace of mind before finalizing a home purchase.
How do I know if the home needs a sewer scope?
Typically, a sewer scope is recommended for any home in Portland over 20 years old, but we have seen sewer lines fail on brand-new homes due to bad installation. The sewer line must be properly connected to the house and main public sewer line.
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), a small leak in a sewer line doesn’t take long to turn into a big problem, especially if trees are growing nearby. Tree roots are very good at getting into sewer lines!
In terms of sewer pipe material, PVC is your best bet because the tree roots will most often slip around the line. This is why newer homes use them. PVC pipes can still fail if they were improperly installed, have poor connections, or experience shifting soil conditions, but PVC is still better than other materials. Older sewer lines often use cast iron, which tree roots love to break through.
Clay pipes (also called terra cotta pipes) are also common in Portland homes built before the 1950s. These pipes tend to break and corrode over time.
Is a sewer scope included with Portland home inspections?
No, typically, you’ll need to order your sewer scope separately. Some home inspectors offer this service for an extra charge. Otherwise, most plumbing companies can do the job. Talk to your Portland real estate agent for recommendations.
Who pays for the sewer line test?
If the seller doesn’t know of any issues with the sewer line, they won’t typically offer to have a scope done on behalf of the buyer. In that case, it’s up to the potential buyer to have it 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. Even spot repairs typically run thousands of dollars.
Sewer issues can also negatively impact the home’s resale value and other costs down the road. For instance, most home insurance policies don’t cover sewer line failures due to normal wear and tear. An exception may be due to a sudden event, such as a fire or earthquake. During the buying process, check whether your insurance policy will cover it. If not, a separate sewer line warranty can help mitigate costs if issues arise later.
If you’re purchasing a home with an FHA or VA loan, major sewer line issues could require repairs before closing. The lenders for these loans often have stricter property condition standards. You can provide the sewer scope results to your lender and real estate agent to understand how repairs might factor into the sale.
The first thing to do is to get quotes for the repairs from qualified plumbers. You should also consider getting a quote from a plumber who didn’t perform the sewer scope.
If the problem is identified before purchase, you can 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)?
Party sewer lines happen when two or more homes have their lines connected together before joining the main public sewer line, but 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’s rules about party lines here. If party lines are discovered (via a sewer scope), they will be reported to the city, and the city will require that new independent sewer lines be installed within 180 days.
If your sewer line crosses through another home’s property line to reach the main sewer line and there is no recorded easement, the easement must also be approved and recorded, or a new line must be installed.
Finally, sometimes sewer lines extend past the home’s property line and run through yards of property that is not theirs and 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 line adjustment.
Dig vs. No Dig Sewer Line Repairs
One reason 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.
Today, 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. Also called pipe lining, the flexible, resin-coated liner is inserted into the damaged pipe and hardened, creating a new pipe inside the old one. Another option, pipe bursting, involves breaking apart the existing pipe while simultaneously pulling a new one into place. Both options can be significantly less disruptive and may cost less than a full replacement, depending on the extent of the damage. Note that these solutions don’t work for all cases.
Are homes with public sewers or septic systems more valuable?
This is an interesting question. Since I couldn’t find any reports online about the subject, I 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 be performed to protect our clients. No one wants the sewer backing up into the house or flooding the front lawn of your new home.
With over 20 years of experience in the Portland area, we can help guide you in the process of a sewer scope and recommended sources. We can also inform you of potential issues during the home touring process based on the type of home you are interested in.
When you are ready to buy your next home, let your experience be your guide. Contact our top 1% buyers or sellers real estate agents today!