Think a New Home Has a Perfect Sewer? Think Again.
A recent sewer camera inspection in Oak Hills, Beaverton found tree roots growing into an ABS sewer line at 50 feet — in a newer home where the homeowner had no idea anything was wrong.
Our RIDGID sewer camera set up at the cleanout access point on the Oak Hills property driveway.
Camera footage at 50'3" showing tree roots growing through a joint in the ABS sewer line. Date: 06-26-2025.
What We Found
During a routine sewer camera inspection in the Oak Hills neighborhood of Beaverton, our technician pushed the camera approximately 50 feet into the sanitary sewer line. At that point, we found tree roots that had penetrated through what appeared to be an improperly seated fitting in a newer ABS pipe.
The homeowner had zero symptoms. Drains were running normally. There was no backup, no slow drain, no smell. Without a camera, there was no way to know this was happening — and those roots were not going to stop growing on their own.
"I've learned not to assume anything based on the age of a home. I've found sewer issues in homes less than a year old and sewer lines over 70 years old in excellent condition. The camera tells the real story — not the age of the house, not how the drains are flowing, not what the builder told you."
Why Roots Can Enter a New Sewer Pipe
Most people associate root intrusion with old clay or concrete sewer lines. But roots don't care how old a pipe is — they follow moisture. Even a brand-new ABS sewer line has potential entry points:
- Improperly installed or loose fittings
- Joints that weren't fully seated during construction
- Pipe damage caused by heavy equipment during the build
- Settlement of soil after construction shifts the pipe
- Poor workmanship at connection points
- Stress cracks from backfill compaction
Once roots find a way in — even through the smallest moisture-releasing gap — they grow toward the water source and stay there. Over time they spread, branch out, and start trapping debris flowing through the pipe.
What Happens If It's Left Alone
This homeowner didn't have any symptoms yet. But that's exactly the point — root intrusion doesn't announce itself until it's already a problem. Left alone, those roots will:
- Continue growing and branching inside the pipe
- Trap toilet paper, grease, wipes, and debris
- Cause slow drains over time
- Lead to a complete sewer backup — usually at the worst possible time
- Result in a more expensive and invasive repair the longer it's ignored
Repair Options When Roots Are Found
Finding the problem early means more options. Depending on the severity, solutions may include:
- Professional root removal — mechanical cutting to clear the intrusion
- Hydro jetting — high-pressure water to blast roots and buildup
- Trenchless CIPP lining — rehabilitate the pipe from the inside, no digging
- Spot repair — targeted fix at the problem fitting or joint
- Full sewer replacement — only when the line is too far gone to rehabilitate
The sooner the issue is found, the more options are on the table — and the lower the cost. That's the whole point of a sewer scope.
Sewer Scope Inspection
$129 – $350Includes camera run, video recording, pipe material ID, and honest findings. No pressure, no upsell.
Call (503) 680-8947Why Every New Construction Home Should Be Scoped
A sewer scope costs a fraction of what a sewer repair costs. Many buyers spend hundreds of thousands — sometimes over a million dollars — on a new home and never verify the condition of the underground sewer line.
A professional sewer inspection can identify:
- Root intrusion
- Construction debris left in the pipe during the build
- Bellies or low spots where water and waste collect
- Pipe separations or offset joints
- Cracked or improperly sealed fittings
- Improper slope (pipe pitched wrong direction)
- Damage from heavy construction equipment
What Our Sewer Inspection Includes
We don't just push a camera through and hand you a bill. Every inspection includes:
- High-definition camera run through the full accessible line
- Video recording you can review and keep
- Pipe material identification (ABS, PVC, clay, cast iron, etc.)
- Measurement of problem locations so repairs can be precisely targeted
- Honest findings — we show you what's there and explain your options
- No pressure upsell — if the line looks good, we'll tell you that too
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sewer scope cost?
Most residential sewer inspections run $129–$350 depending on the line length and access conditions. It's one of the least expensive ways to verify the condition of one of the most important systems in your home.
Can roots really get into a brand-new sewer pipe?
Yes — and this Oak Hills job is proof. Roots follow moisture, not age. Even new ABS pipe can have roots enter through improperly seated fittings or joints that weren't fully sealed during construction.
Do I need a sewer scope on a new construction home?
We recommend it. New construction sewer lines can have issues caused by poor workmanship, construction debris, or fittings that weren't properly sealed. Most buyers never verify the underground sewer line — and some find out the hard way after closing.
What happens if root intrusion is left untreated?
Roots keep growing, catch debris, slow your drains, and eventually cause a backup. The longer it's left, the more invasive and expensive the repair. Finding it early is almost always the better outcome.
What are my options if roots are found?
Root removal, hydro jetting, trenchless CIPP lining, spot repair, or full replacement — depending on severity. Early detection keeps your options open. We'll walk you through what makes sense for your specific situation.
Do you scope sewer lines in Oak Hills and Beaverton?
Yes — this inspection was performed right in Oak Hills. We serve Oak Hills, Beaverton, Cedar Mill, Cedar Hills, Bethany, Aloha, Hillsboro, and the full Portland metro area.
Serving Oak Hills, Beaverton & the Portland Metro
Don't see your city? Call us — we likely cover it.
Schedule a Sewer Scope Inspection
Whether you're buying a home, maintaining your current property, or just want to know what's down there — a professional sewer camera inspection gives you the truth. $129–$350, done in a single visit.