SEWER LINE INSPECTIONS
IMPORTANT: Homeowners are responsible for the portion of the sewer line that is on their property! A faulty or defective sewer pipe can be expensive to fix and a prospective buyer should ensure the sewer line is viable before purchasing a home.
The only way to thoroughly evaluate this portion of the plumbing system is by performing a sewer scope. A specialized water proof camera is inserted into the pipe through an access point called a “clean out” and the line can be inspected and recorded on video. The fee for this service is $150. To get an idea of what a sewer scope video looks like you can click here To view a sewer line with root intrusion issues you can click here. Note the camera was not able to push past the blockage.
What sort of issues do sewer scopes reveal?
Root Intrusion: Trees and shrubbery often have roots that go deep into the earth which can at times intrude into the line causing it to clog. It also indicates the line has a hole in it and depending on how bad it is may warrant a repair.
Bellies: These are places in the pipe that sag because the soil underneath has eroded and water has gathered. Not all bellies are a concern as long as water is still flowing. If there is a lengthy portion of pipe that has standing water then it may need to be addressed.
Broken Lines: Broken lines that are off set or disconnected nearly always require a repair. Often the water may still drain in the soil so it may not be immediately noticeable to the owner. It will however only get worse over time as material begins to clog the pipe.
How do I fix an issue once it is discovered?
A licensed plumber can address the root intrusion by using a roto-rooter. Holes or broken lines have traditionally been dug up and replaced however a less invasive repair is also possible called Cured In Place Piping (CIPP). This method of repair involves inserting a fiberglass or textile sleeve and activating it with resins and other chemicals to repair the pipe from the inside. Unfortunately, bellies in the line may require full replacement. Hopefully the section needing replacement isn’t under the concrete driveway. If it is, better to know now and make the expense of a repair part of the negotiation process!
Are residents in some cities responsible all the way to the city lateral even though their sewer line is off their property?
YES. Each city has different bi-laws. Below is an overview of the different stipulations in several local municipalities. There are always exceptions to the rule of course but these are the general guidelines we verified by personal phone calls in the Spring of 2020.
City Resident is responsible for sewer line from house to the . . .
Beaverton . . . curb face
Camas . . . sewer pump
Camby . . . curb face
*Clark County . . . edge of property
*Cowlitz County . . . edge of property
Forest Grove . . . edge of property
Gresham . . . to sidewalk
Kelso . . . edge of property
Longview . . . edge of property (or to lateral if lateral is not in street)
Oregon City . . . curb face
Portland . . . curb face
Ridgefield . . . edge of property
Vancouver . . . city lateral
Washougal . . . city lateral
* Some sewer lines are under county jurisdiction if a town is unincorporated or the sewer line is outside current city limits.