It's rare, but every once in a while we'll run across a "party sewer line". In some really old Portland neighborhoods, usually built before or in the 1920s, sewer lines might be shared by several homes before running out to public sewer.
Last year I had a transaction where the sewer line ran into the backyard and connected to two other homes on a single line that only then ran to the public sewer... nowadays that's a big no-no! Today every home has its own line that runs directly to the public sewer.
This is just one more excellent reason to have a sewer line inspection when buying, or preparing to sell your home. If a party sewer line is discovered and reported to the city, it must be replaced at the owners expense, along with everyone else connected to the line. That could mean some unhappy neighbors but it must be done. These replacements can be costly!
A well inspected home keeps everyone in the transaction happy. Happy Selling! Keith, 503-734-6646
Keith is not an inspector, contractor or sewer specialist and these are simply his opinions. See a specialist if you have questions about a sewer line.
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