Drains and sewer
Sewer line inspection, repair and replacement
Sewer line repair starts with a camera inspection to find roots, cracks, sags or collapsed pipe. Depending on the damage, the fix is a spot repair, a trenchless liner or pipe bursting, or a traditional dig-and-replace.
- Licensed plumbers in all 50 states
- Upfront pricing from the plumber before work
- Free referral, no obligation
The sewer lateral is the pipe that carries waste from your home to the city main or septic tank, and in most places the homeowner owns it all the way to the main. Older laterals are often clay, cast iron or Orangeburg (a tar-paper pipe used until the 1970s), and all of them eventually crack, separate or collapse. Tree roots find the joints first.
A camera inspection is the only way to know what you're dealing with. It shows the problem, its depth and its distance from the cleanout, and the recording is useful for permits and insurance. Trenchless methods can replace or line a pipe with little digging, but they need the right pipe condition and access. Traditional excavation still makes sense for sags, collapses and shallow lines.
Sewer Line Repair at a glance
- Service
- Sewer Line Repair
- Category
- Drains and sewer
- Availability
- Scheduled and same-day visits, depending on local availability
- Service area
- All 50 states and Washington, DC
- Also called
- sewer lateral repair, main line repair, trenchless sewer, sewer camera inspection
- Owned by
- Usually the homeowner, from house to city main
- Cost
- Quoted on site by the pro before work starts; see cost factors below
Signs you need sewer line repair
- Multiple drains backing up, especially the lowest fixtures
- Sewage smell in the yard or basement
- Gurgling toilets
- Soggy or unusually green patches over the sewer line
- Recurring root clogs every year or two
What the pro does, step by step
- 1
Clear and camera
The line is cleared if needed, then a camera run records the pipe condition and locates problems.
- 2
Locate and mark
A locator marks the depth and position of the damage above ground.
- 3
Choose the method
Spot repair, lining, bursting or open-trench replacement is quoted based on what the camera shows.
- 4
Permit, repair and inspect
The plumber pulls permits, completes the work and has it inspected where required.
What affects the cost of sewer line repair
Prices vary by market and job. The pro gives you a price before starting; these factors drive it.
- Length and depth of the line
- Pipe material and damage type
- Trenchless versus excavation
- Driveways, trees or landscaping in the way
- City permits and connection fees
What you can safely do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Stop using water when drains back up
- Locate your cleanout (often a capped pipe near the foundation)
- Avoid flushing wipes, grease and paper towels
- Ask your city whether you own the lateral to the main
Stop and call a pro
- Sewage in the home
- Any digging near a sewer or utility line (call 811 first)
- Recurring backups
- Sinkholes or depressions over the line
Sewer Line Repair FAQ
Who is responsible for the sewer line?
In most US cities the homeowner owns and maintains the lateral from the house to the public main, sometimes including the connection itself. Your city's public works department can confirm.
What is trenchless sewer repair?
Trenchless methods line the existing pipe with a resin-coated liner or pull a new pipe through while bursting the old one, using small access pits instead of a long trench.
How do tree roots get into sewer lines?
Roots follow moisture to small leaks at pipe joints and grow inside. Clay and older cast-iron lines with many joints are most prone.
How long does a sewer line last?
Clay and cast iron can last 50 years or more but often fail sooner with roots or soil movement. Orangeburg pipe is usually at or past the end of its life.
Sewer Line Repair near you
Available in all 50 states. Find local conditions for your area:
Or browse by state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii and all states.
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Get sewer line repair help now
Call (888) 555-0142 to reach an available local pro, or request service online.