Do I Need a Sewer Inspection If My Home Has PVC Pipes?

Do I Need a Sewer Inspection If My Home Has PVC Pipes?

PVC sewer pipes are often seen as the “modern standard” for residential plumbing in New Jersey. Many homeowners assume that PVC automatically means their sewer line is safe, durable, long-lasting, and problem-free. While PVC is indeed one of the most reliable materials for sewer systems, it does not make your home immune to sewer line problems — especially in New Jersey, where soil movement, tree root pressure, high groundwater, aging municipal systems, and construction errors can impact even the strongest pipes.

If you recently bought a home with PVC, are planning renovations, or simply want peace of mind, you may be wondering:

“Do I still need a sewer inspection if my house has PVC?”

The short answer: YES — absolutely.

Even PVC sewer lines can crack, shift, clog, collapse, sink, separate, or become overwhelmed during storms. They can also be installed incorrectly, damaged by contractors, crushed by heavy vehicles, or affected by root pressure. New Jersey’s soil composition, age of neighborhoods, and extreme weather cycles make sewer inspections equally important for PVC homes.

This blog explains why PVC sewer lines still require regular inspections, what problems we commonly find in NJ PVC systems, and why a professional sewer camera inspection is the only way to confirm the true condition of your line.

For additional reading on sewer issues that affect all types of pipes, explore these related resources:
Understanding Sewer Line Bellies
Identifying Dangerous Orangeburg Pipes
Sewer Line Mapping for Renovations

Why New Jersey Homeowners Trust PVC — and Why It Isn’t Perfect

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is widely used because it is resistant to corrosion, lightweight, smooth internally, and cost-effective. Unlike older materials such as clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg, PVC does not deteriorate naturally over time.

However, PVC’s durability depends heavily on:

• Proper installation
• Stable soil conditions
• Minimal ground movement
• Protected surroundings
• Correct slope
• Quality joints and connections

In New Jersey, many of these factors vary widely by town. Soil shifts, tree density, high water tables, and aging municipal laterals all contribute to PVC sewer issues.

Common Problems Found in PVC Sewer Lines During NJ Camera Inspections

Even though PVC is stronger than older materials, camera inspections often reveal hidden problems homeowners didn’t expect. Below are the most frequent issues we find in New Jersey’s PVC sewer lines.

1. Poor Installation & Incorrect Slope

A sewer line must have the correct slope to allow waste to flow naturally. If the slope is too steep or too flat, problems will occur.

A sewer camera may reveal:

• Waste left behind
• Water pooling in low spots
• Debris accumulating in flat sections
• Toilets backing up occasionally

Even brand-new PVC can have slope errors if the original installer rushed the job.

2. Pipe Offsets & Joint Separation

PVC is installed in sections that connect with joints. These joints can fail or separate due to:

• Soil settlement
• Heavy rainfall
• Ground vibrations
• Poor backfilling
• Vehicle pressure from above

Separated joints allow soil intrusion, which eventually causes clogs or total blockages.

3. Tree Root Pressure on PVC

Homeowners often believe PVC is “root-proof,” but that is not true.

Tree roots cannot penetrate solid PVC pipe by force, but they CAN:

• Enter through joints
• Enter through small cracks
• Push the pipe downward
• Distort the alignment

Even the strongest PVC pipe cannot resist the pressure of mature oak, maple, or sycamore roots — all extremely common in NJ towns like Glen Ridge, Fair Lawn, Ridgewood, Teaneck, and Westwood.

4. Sewer Line Bellies in PVC Piping

A belly (a low-sagging section of pipe) can form in PVC just as easily as in clay or cast iron. Bellies are extremely common in New Jersey due to wet, unstable soil.

Learn more about sewer bellies here:
Sewer Bellies Explained

Belly formation leads to pooling water, sediment buildup, and recurring slow drains — even in “newer” homes.

5. Crushed PVC from External Pressure

PVC is durable but not indestructible. It can be crushed when exposed to:

• Heavy trucks parked above
• Construction equipment
• Concrete or stone pressure
• Shifting soil near retaining walls

We often find crushed sections during inspections for home buyers who recently purchased a renovated property.

6. Blockages Caused by Household Waste

Many backups we diagnose in PVC lines come from internal household behavior, not pipe conditions.

Common blockage sources include:

• Grease buildup
• Flushable wipes (not truly flushable!)
• Feminine products
• Paper towels
• Laundry lint

PVC offers smooth flow, but even it cannot compensate for improper disposal habits.

7. Construction Damage from Renovations or Additions

Expanding your home? Adding a patio? Installing a pool?

Any form of digging or exterior remodeling can easily damage PVC sewer lines. This is why sewer line mapping is essential before construction begins.

Learn more:
Sewer Line Mapping for NJ Renovations

Why You Still Need a Sewer Inspection Even If You Have PVC Pipes

PVC does not guarantee a perfect sewer line — and it definitely does not guarantee a backup-free future.

Here are the most important reasons why inspections are still necessary:

1. Only a Camera Can Confirm the Condition

Even newly installed PVC can have problems that are invisible from the surface. A sewer camera inspection is the only way to see:

• Misalignments
• Bellies
• Cracks
• Joint separations
• Unexpected obstructions
• Poor installation practices

There is no substitute for live video footage.

2. Storms Can Overwhelm Any Type of Sewer Line

As we discussed in a previous blog, heavy NJ rainstorms can overwhelm sewer lines regardless of pipe material.

Storm pressure can force wastewater back into your home, whether you have PVC, cast iron, clay, or Orangeburg.

3. Soil in New Jersey Is Constantly Moving

NJ experiences soil shifts from:

• Freeze-thaw cycles
• Rain saturation
• Tree growth
• Erosion
• Construction activity

These shifts affect ALL sewer lines, including PVC.

4. Improper PVC Installations Are Extremely Common

Not every contractor in NJ installs sewer lines correctly. We frequently find PVC lines:

• Connected incorrectly
• Laid without proper slope
• Buried too shallow
• Supported poorly
• Installed with cheap fittings

Many problems appear years later — only a camera inspection can identify them early.

5. Home Buyers Should Never Skip a Sewer Inspection

Even if a seller says “The home has PVC,” that does NOT mean the line is flawless.

We routinely find expensive problems in newer neighborhoods with full-PVC installations.

A sewer inspection protects you from:

• Unseen collapse
• Massive bellies
• Major tree root intrusion
• Poor connections at the municipal tie-in
• Blockages from years of buildup

Skipping the sewer inspection is one of the biggest home-buying mistakes.

Key Warning Signs of PVC Sewer Problems in NJ

Even modern sewer lines give warning signs when something is wrong. Contact a sewer inspection professional if you notice:

• Slow draining sinks or tubs
• Gurgling during showers or toilet flushes
• Water rising in the basement floor drain
• Smells after rainstorms
• Toilets frequently backing up
• Wet patches in the yard
• Moldy or damp basements

These symptoms almost always indicate a hidden issue inside the line.

How Often Should PVC Sewer Lines Be Inspected?

For NJ homes, we recommend:

• Every 2–3 years for standard maintenance
• Every year for homes with large trees
• Before buying or selling any property
• Before major renovations or additions

Preventative inspections are far cheaper than emergency sewer repairs.

Schedule a Sewer Camera Inspection for PVC Pipes in NJ

PVC pipes offer excellent durability, but they are not immune to shifting soil, construction damage, root pressure, bellies, or installation errors. The only way to confirm the true condition of your sewer line is through a professional sewer camera inspection.

To schedule an inspection or learn more about our services, visit:

• NJ Sewer Camera Homepage
• About Us
• Contact Us

A sewer line may be underground — but your peace of mind shouldn’t be. Protect your home by making sure your PVC sewer line is healthy, properly installed, and storm-ready.