Before you buy
A standard home inspection usually stops at the drains inside the house. A scope before closing can turn up a repair worth negotiating.
Sewer camera inspection
Sewer Scope Portland OR
Buying a house or chasing a backup? See inside the sewer line on camera before you commit to a purchase or repair.
- Know before you buy
- Find the real cause of a backup
- Distance to each defect
What you're paying for
What a Portland Sewer Scope Shows You
A sewer scope is a camera inspection of the line that carries everything from the house to the public sewer. We feed the camera in from a cleanout and inspect the full run, noting cracks, offset joints, roots, sags that hold water, heavy scale and old repairs.
It's a visual inspection, not a cleaning, and it can't promise a pipe will never fail. What it does is replace guesswork with evidence: either the line is sound, or you know exactly what's wrong and where.
When to book one
When a Camera Inspection Pays Off
After a backup
Find out if it was a one-time clog or a crack, root problem or sag that will keep causing trouble.
Before a remodel or ADU
Adding a bathroom or a second unit puts more flow through the line, so check it first.
Before approving a repair
Get your own look at the line before you agree to a big quote, and use the findings to compare bids.
Older homes
Clay and cast iron lines with mature trees nearby are worth checking every few years.
Your section of the line
Which Part of the Line Is Yours
In Portland, the property owner maintains the lateral from the house out to the curb, and the city's part runs from the curb to the main. We inspect your section and note where it meets the public side, so you know whose repair it is if we find damage.
If the camera finds a problem on your side, we'll go through the options with you, from a single-joint repair to a cleaning when it's buildup rather than damage. For everything else we do, see our local sewer repair services.
What you get
What You Get After the Inspection
Pipe condition
What the pipe is made of, where the material changes, and how it's holding up along its length.
Defects by distance
Each problem is noted with its distance from the cleanout, so it can be located from the surface.
Plain-language summary
Whether it's buildup, roots, an offset, a sag or a break, and what each one usually means.
Next-step options
If something needs attention, the realistic choices and roughly what each one costs.
Cost
Inspection Pricing
A sewer scope typically costs $150 to $400.
The range depends on cleanout access, line length and whether more than one entry point is needed. If the line is blocked, it has to be cleared before the camera can see the pipe, and that's priced separately.
Closing on a house soon? Scope the sewer line before you sign.
Call (503) 221-5373What Happens During the Visit
- Step01
Find the access point
We locate a cleanout inside or outside. If there isn't one, we explain the options before starting.
- Step02
Run the camera
The camera travels the line while we watch it live.
- Step03
Review on site
We show you what the camera sees and explain what's normal and what isn't.
- Step04
Send the summary
You get the findings to keep or share with an agent or contractor.
Buyers and owners
Questions Buyers and Owners Ask
How long does an inspection take?
It depends on cleanout access and the length of the line. Needing more than one entry point, or heavy buildup, adds time.
Do I need a cleanout?
It's the best access point. Without one we can sometimes use another entry point, though it may limit how much of the line we can see.
Can you inspect a backed-up line?
Not well. Standing sewage hides the pipe, so the line usually needs clearing first.
Can I share the results with my agent?
Yes. The findings are yours to share with your agent, the seller or other contractors.
Which findings matter most?
Collapses, major breaks, offsets, sags holding water and repeated root entry. Those change how reliable the line is and what it costs to fix.
Know before you commit
See Inside the Line Before You Decide
Call to book a sewer scope. You'll know the condition of the line before you buy, remodel or pay for a repair.
Where we work