Plumbing · Sewer lines
Sewer line repair, with the camera footage to prove it
A sewer line is the most expensive pipe on your property and the one you never see. We show you what's wrong on a screen before we talk about fixing it, and the estimate is free.
Signs of a sewer line problem
- Backups that keep coming back even after a professional drain cleaning.
- Water or sewage at the basement floor drain, especially after heavy rain.
- A soggy, extra-green stripe across the front lawn between the house and the street.
- Sewer odor in the yard or basement.
- Gurgling toilets and slow drains on every floor.
- Pests. Rodents and drain flies find cracked lines quickly.
Many houses in our older neighborhoods still have their original clay tile or cast iron sewer lines, some from the 1940s and 1950s. Clay joints let roots in; cast iron rusts and scales from the inside. Newer homes in Dublin, Powell and Hilliard usually have PVC, which holds up well but can still sag ("belly") if the soil settles.
What we do on the visit
- Camera inspection. We run a waterproof camera from your clean-out to the city connection. It records the whole run and measures distance, so we know exactly where a problem sits.
- Locate and mark. A locator picks up the camera head through the ground. We mark the spot in the yard with a flag so you can see where the trouble is.
- Walk through the footage. You watch the video with us. We'll point out roots, cracks, offset joints and bellies, and tell you which ones matter and which can wait.
- Written options. If repair is needed, you get a free written estimate with every reasonable option, from a cleaning and re-check to full replacement. We'll email you the video, too.
Repair options
| Option | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer camera inspection | $249 | Full recorded inspection with location marking |
| Main line cleaning | from $189 | Cutting roots and clearing the line; a short-term fix for root intrusion |
| Hydro-jetting | from $450 | High-pressure water to scour roots, grease and scale; often done before lining |
| Spot repair | Free estimate | Excavating and replacing one damaged section |
| Trenchless lining | Free estimate | A resin liner cured inside the old pipe, creating a new pipe within it |
| Trenchless pipe bursting | Free estimate | Pulling new pipe through the old one, breaking it apart as it goes |
| Full open-trench replacement | Free estimate | Digging and replacing the line; sometimes the only option for collapsed pipe |
We don't post a single price for sewer repair because no two are alike. Depth, length, what's in the way (a driveway, a 60-year-old oak, the sidewalk) and whether the city tap needs work all change the number. Financing is available, as low as $79/month with approved credit, with 0% for 18 months on qualifying projects over $5,000.
Trenchless: less digging, same new pipe
With trenchless repair, we typically dig one or two small access pits instead of a trench across your yard. Your driveway, landscaping and that front walk you just had redone usually stay put. Not every line is a candidate: a fully collapsed pipe or a severe belly may still need to be dug. The camera tells us which you have, and we'll be straight with you about it.
Terrence "T" Booker, our lead plumber, has spent 21 years on drains and sewers and leads most of our sewer jobs.
How long it takes
A camera inspection takes about an hour. Trenchless lining or bursting is usually one to two days. An open-trench replacement can take two to four days, plus time for the city or village inspection where it's required. We handle permits and call in utility line marking before any digging. You'll have working plumbing most nights during a multi-day job; we'll plan with you around the hours you can't use water.
What you can do right now
Sewage coming up the floor drain? Stop all water use in the house immediately, including the washer, dishwasher and toilets. Keep people and pets out of the wet area. If water is near your furnace, water heater or any outlet, don't wade through it; switch off power at the panel only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. Then call us.
Main line backed up? Call (614) 555-0187, 24 hours a day.
Sewer line questions
Who owns the sewer line, me or the city?
In most Central Ohio communities the homeowner is responsible for the line from the house to the connection at the public sewer, sometimes including the tap itself. Rules vary by city and village, and we'll check yours when we quote.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer line repair?
Sometimes, depending on the cause and your policy. Many policies exclude wear and tree roots but cover sudden damage, and some insurers offer a separate service line endorsement. We'll give you the video and a written report to send to your insurer.
Can I keep cutting the roots instead of replacing the line?
Yes, if the pipe is otherwise sound. Plenty of customers have a cleaning every year or so and are fine. If the camera shows cracked or broken pipe, cleaning buys time but won't fix it.
Will you give me a second opinion on another company's quote?
Gladly, and for free. Bring us the quote and we'll run our own camera and tell you what we see.