- Home
- Plumbing Services
- Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
Sewer line repair & replacement
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement, Done Once
Roots, breaks, bellies and collapsed pipe: we find the problem with a camera, explain the repair options for your line and give you the price before any digging starts.
- Spot repairs
- Full replacement
- Trenchless options
- Permits handled
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy
Warning signs
Signs of a Failing Sewer Line
Repeat main-line backups
Clogs that return after cleaning, especially at the basement floor drain.
Gurgling fixtures
Toilets and drains that gurgle when other fixtures run.
Sewer odor
A sewage smell in the basement or yard.
Soggy or sunken yard
A wet, lush or sinking strip of lawn along the line’s path.
Pests
Rodents or insects can get in through a broken sewer pipe.
Camera findings
Roots, offset joints, cracks or a collapse seen on inspection.
Repair options
Ways to Fix a Sewer Line
The right repair depends on the pipe, how much of it is damaged, how deep it is and what is above it.
Spot repair
Digging down to one damaged section and replacing it. Makes sense when the rest of the line is sound.
Open-trench replacement
Excavating along the line and laying new pipe. The traditional method; often best for badly sagging or collapsed lines.
Pipe lining (CIPP)
A resin-soaked liner cured inside the old pipe, creating a new pipe within it, with little or no digging.
Trenchless repair →Pipe bursting
A new pipe pulled through the old one as the old pipe is split apart, from small pits at each end.
Trenchless repair →Cost
What Sewer Line Replacement Costs Depend On
Every sewer job is different, so we price it after seeing the line on camera. These are the factors that move the number:
- Length and depth of the line, and how much of it is damaged
- Method: spot repair, open trench, lining or bursting
- What is on top: lawn, driveway, sidewalk, trees or landscaping to restore
- Access: cleanouts, basement layout and where the line meets the main
- Permits and inspections required by your city or township
- Connection at the street, if the work reaches the public sewer
You get the price, in writing, before any work starts. More on what drives plumbing costs.
FAQ
Sewer Line Questions
Who is responsible for the sewer line, me or the city?
The building sewer that serves your home is generally the property owner’s to maintain and repair. Where your part ends and the public sewer begins depends on the community, so check with your city or township public works office before work starts.
Can a sewer line be repaired without digging up the yard?
Often, yes. Pipe lining and pipe bursting need only small access pits, or none for some lining jobs. They aren’t right for every line: severe sags, collapsed sections and some pipe materials still need a trench. A camera inspection tells you which methods fit.
How long does a new sewer line last?
Modern PVC pipe and cured-in-place liners are expected to last for decades when installed correctly. The old clay and cast iron lines common under older Washtenaw County homes are often the ones failing now.
Do I need a permit to replace a sewer line?
In most communities, yes. In Ann Arbor, permits go through the city’s STREAM portal; many other Washtenaw communities use the county building department or their own. The plumber pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Should I repair or replace?
If the damage is in one spot and the rest of the pipe is sound on camera, a spot repair can make sense. If the line has roots, cracks or offsets along much of its length, replacing or lining the whole run usually costs less over time than repeat repairs.
Will my homeowner’s insurance pay for a sewer line?
Many policies don’t cover wear, roots or age in the line itself, though some offer service line or sewer backup add-ons. Check your policy and ask your agent before work starts.
Also helpful
Related Plumbing Services
Problems in one part of the plumbing often point to another. These services go hand in hand.
Drain Cleaning
Kitchen, bath, laundry and floor drains cleared, and the cause found so the clog doesn’t come right back.
Learn more →Sewer Camera Inspection
A video look inside your sewer line before you buy a house or spend money on a repair.
Learn more →24/7 in Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
Find Out What Your Sewer Line Needs
Call (734) 228-7852. We start with a camera, so the repair fits the problem.
Request service
Tell Us What’s Going On
Send a few details and we will call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. We answer 24/7: for water running or sewage backing up right now, call (734) 228-7852.
- 24/7 emergency service, nights, weekends and holidays
- $99 diagnostic fee, applied to the repair
- Financing: 25 months same as cash, on approved credit
- The price explained before work starts
- Call(734) 228-7852
- Service areaAnn Arbor & Washtenaw County
- LicensingMichigan plumbing license #A111705
Request a Plumber
Tell us what is going on. We call you back to talk it through and set up a visit. For water running right now, call (734) 228-7852.
No obligation. By sending, you agree we may call, text or e-mail you about this request. Calls may be recorded. Privacy Policy