Sewer Inspection in Portland

When you consider all of the things you love about being a homeowner in the city of Portland, problems with your sewer line likely don’t make the list. That’s why at Alpha Environmental, we make it easy to diagnose your sewer problems and provide the information you need to make the best decisions about how to handle them.

If there is an issue with your main sewer line, you may notice a foul “rotten egg” smell, a slow drain or sewage backups that return consistently or exist across multiple drains in your home. The only way to accurately diagnose the cause of these warning signs is through a sewer line inspection, which uses a tiny, flexible video camera to inspect the interior of your sewer lines.

Our sewer camera inspections come with a full-color video of your sewer scope, a report on the condition of your sewer line and recommendations for sewer repair and maintenance. 

When Should You Have Your Sewer Scoped?

A sewer scope offers peace of mind that your sewer line is free of major problems. While these inspections provide a lot of helpful information about the condition of your sewer line, they are generally recommended as needed for specific situations. 

  • Buying a new home: Sewer scopes are typically not included in a standard home inspection, but they are equally important. Your main sewer line can be one of the most expensive things to repair in your home. Having a sewer inspection done prior to closing on a home gives you the chance to negotiate any necessary repairs with the seller. This is especially important for homes that are more than 20 years old.
  • Water backing up: If you notice slow drains or water overflowing from toilets, floor drains, sinks or in crawl spaces, you’ll want to have your sewer inspected right away. These problems may be caused by a broken or damaged sewer line and could lead to flooding in your home.
  • Large trees in your yard: Roots from large trees and shrubs are attracted to moisture and may begin to grow into small holes or gaps between your pipes. It’s important to keep an eye on trees with deep-growing roots that are located near your sewer lines.
  • Homes built before 1984: Before 1984, some sewage systems were built using fragile clay pipes, which are more likely to break or collapse. These pipes can also suffer from corrosion over time.
  • Shifting ground on the property: Harsh climates like Portland’s can cause the soil around your pipes to shift, which may lead to sewer pipe misalignment or cause sections of the pipe to sink.
  • Extra green grass or growth in one area: If part of your yard is noticeably greener than the rest, it may be an indication that your pipes are leaking.

What Will the Sewer Scope Inspection Find?

Your sewer inspection will provide information on the condition and serviceability of your sewer line and any problems that may require repair. Common sewer line problems include:

  • Cracks: If your sewer line is cracked, it will need to be repaired or replaced to prevent pooling in your yard or basement.
  • Tree root intrusions: Root intrusions can block sewer water from exiting your home, creating backups or slow drains. They can also cause damage to your pipes.
  • Collapsed lines: Pipes that are old or offset can become crushed due to shifts in the ground, wastewater in the surrounding soil or root intrusion.
  • Clogs: Severely clogged pipes can cause sewage backup and flooding in your home. Alpha offers a non-invasive Hydro-jetting solution that can help clear blockages.
  • Potential septic issues: Water backup or a drain problem may also be a sign that your septic system is failing. Our sewer scope will look for problems in the lines that lead to your septic tank.

If a problem is found, we’ll provide you with information on its location, the severity of the issue and a line repair estimate.

Your sewer inspection report will also include information on the types of sewer lines that are present, including the material of your pipes.

Contact Us for a Sewer Scope Inspection

Whether you suspect a problem with your sewer line or you’re buying a new home, having a sewer inspection will give you the answers you need to make informed decisions. Schedule your sewer scope by contacting us today.

Contact Us

A trusted member of our team will reach out within 1 business day to schedule

Why Choose Alpha Environmental

Our goal is to get the job done right while protecting our client. We are committed to ensuring you are safe in your residence, no matter what. We are fully licensed, bonded, insured, and here to help with all of your environmental needs.

Family Owned & Operated

We pride ourselves on strong company values that translate into service levels which go above and beyond average service providers

21+ Years Experience

For over two decades we've been doing the dirty work, serving residential and commercial customers in the greater Portland area

Care & Ownership

Our entire team is committed to ensuring your home or place of business is safe and every job gets done the right way

David D.
Lake Oswego, OR
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My wife and I experienced a hot water pipe busting in the crawlspace. It has been a total nightmare. However, Chris and his team provided expert quality care, with timeliness and the greatest degree of professionalism. I would HIGHLY recommend Alpha Enviornmental!
Zhanna S.
Beaverton, OR
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Can’t say enough about Alpha Environmental! Their costumer service is 10/10, they have really good systems in place, responsive, and professional. The gals in the scheduling department are always so kind! As a real estate agent, I use Alpha’s services numerous times a year. Either it’s for Mold bids, oil tank decommissioning, radon etc. They always do a fantastic job! Thank you for all the work you do!
Kristen L.
Portland, OR
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Wow where do I even begin?? We’re absolutely thrilled by the work Alpha has done for us and we’re eternally grateful to them for ridding our house of asbestos tile! They’re polite, kind, professional — from estimator Filo to manager Dame to Jake, Melvin and the other two guys on the crew (so sorry we didn’t get your names) — you guys are awesome and we so appreciate your help. Our house looks amazing. The peace of mind you’ve given us is priceless. We can’t thank you enough. We’ll certainly be in back in touch if we ever need any of your services again. Thank you thank you!!!
Jeff S.
Salem, OR
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Alpha environmental's employees were punctual, pleasant to work with and there services are reasonably priced. I highly recommend them because I would use them again in the future.
Lea C.
Tualatin, OR
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Took a water sample in for lead testing and they were so fast and helpful. Rodolfo was so nice and informative in explaining the testing and what it meant! Would definitely recommend everyone to go there and will go to them for any future needs!
Claire B.
Portland, OR
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Alpha environmental was extremely helpful in navigating me through the process of testing some leftover construction debris for asbestos so I could take it to the dump. Their office manager spent time with me on the phone discussing the options for sample collection, and was extremely friendly in answering my many questions. Sample drop off at the office was easy and the results even came back a few days earlier than expected. Will definitely return if I need more sampling done!
Jeff C.
Tigard, OR
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I would highly recommend anyone wanting, quick efficient services relating to environmental testing to check out Alpha Environmental. Not only was the staff friendly and responsive, but also professional! If I could 6 stars out of 5, I would!
Jotham P.
Portland, OR
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We used Alpha Environmental Services to conduct our home inspection, radon testing, sewer scope and oil tank decommissioning. Every part of their service was really professional. They took so many great photos of the house during the inspection and offered lots of explanation on what they found. Great team. Highly recommend!
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A trusted member of our team will reach out within 1 business day to schedule