Trenchless Sewer Line Repair
Don't tear up your yard or driveway for a sewer repair.
Serving Homeowners for 30+ years
Sewer Line Repair
Sewer line problems don't stay small, and a bottle of drain cleaner won't fix what's actually wrong. A bubbling toilet, gurgling pipes, or drains that run slow all point to something happening underground. Here's what that could mean, and how we can help.
Does Your Sewer Line Need Repair?
A sewer line problem doesn't always mean a full replacement. Most issues start smaller than that, and catching them early is what keeps them that way. Here's how to know where you stand:
Slow Drains or Gurgling That Keep Coming Back After Rodding
If rodding clears it but the same slow drain or gurgling returns within a few months, the clog isn't the real problem. Something further down the line is catching debris again.
Recurring Backups or Pooling Water in the Yard
A backup that keeps happening, or a soggy patch in the yard, points to something wrong with the pipe itself, not a one-time clog. Rodding alone probably won't hold this time.
Confirmed Crack, Joint Separation, or Root Intrusion on Camera
Once a camera inspection confirms damage to the pipe, this isn't a rodding job anymore. We'll walk you through what repair looks like for your line.
Why Sewer Lines Fail
A sewer line doesn't fail all at once. It's usually one of a handful of causes wearing on the pipe over years. Here's what we find most often:
Aging Pipe Materials
Homes built before the 1970s often have clay or cast iron sewer lines. Clay typically lasts 50 to 60 years and is especially vulnerable to cracking at the joints. Cast iron holds up longer, usually 50 to 75 years, but corrodes from the inside as it ages.
Tree Root Intrusion
Roots grow toward any source of moisture, and a sewer line is exactly that. Once a root finds a crack or a loose joint, it grows into the pipe and keeps growing until it blocks the flow or cracks the pipe further.
Ground Shift and Freeze-Thaw
Ground that freezes and thaws through the winter expands and contracts, and pipe joints take the strain. Over years of that cycle, joints can separate or the pipe can settle into a low spot, called a belly, where waste collects instead of flowing through.
Improper Original Installation
Not every sewer line was installed the same way. A pipe laid without the right slope, or backfilled poorly, fails faster than one installed correctly, even if the material itself is sound.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
1. Camera Inspection
We run a camera down the line first, always. You see the same footage we do, so nothing about what's wrong is a guess, ours or yours.
2. Honest Diagnosis
We'll tell you straight whether it's a repair or a replacement, and why. If a smaller fix holds, that's what we recommend, not the bigger job.
3. Upfront Pricing
Once we know what we're dealing with, you get a flat rate before any work starts. No surprise numbers once the job is underway.
How We Repair a Sewer Line
Once we know what's wrong, there's usually more than one way to fix it. Which method makes sense depends on the pipe's condition, location, and how it failed.
| Method | What It Involves | Typical Disruption |
|---|---|---|
| Trenchless Pipe Lining | A resin-coated liner is pulled through the existing pipe and cured in place, creating a new pipe inside the old one. | Minimal digging, usually just small access points |
| Traditional Excavation | The damaged section is dug up and replaced directly. | More digging, but sometimes the only option depending on damage location and access |
Your technician will walk you through which method fits your situation after the camera inspection, along with what to expect from start to finish.
Meet J. Blanton
Big Enough to Get the Job Done, Small Enough to Care
We’ve grown a lot since 1993, but the way we work hasn’t changed. Here’s a closer look at who we are.
Customer Stories
Sewer Line Repair Reviews
★★★★★
"I had an exceptional experience with Andreas from J. Blanton Plumbing. He came out to perform a camera inspection of my sewer line and was incredibly professional, thorough, and knowledgeable. He took the time to walk me through everything on the screen, explained each detail clearly, and answered all my questions with patience and honesty."
★★★★★
"I had J. Blanton Plumbing come service a potential sewer line back-up and I was super impressed with the entire experience. My technician was Stephen Walen and he was fantastic. He scoped our entire line so we could see where our main line hooks up to off-shoots of our other pipes. He walked through all different short & long-term scenarios so we could make informed decisions."
★★★★★
"I had another company come out first to fix my sewer line that got blocked in this cold weather, but the issue was not fully resolved. I made an appointment with J Blanton because of their promotion. They all were professional, knowledgeable, offered solutions, and answered all my questions. They all went above and beyond to make sure my issue is fixed efficiently and as soon as possible."
Annual Protection Plan
Join the No Drip Club for Year-Round Sewer Protection
Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.
- Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
- 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
- 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
- VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
What We Handle
Sewer Line Services We Provide
Learn More
Sewer Rodding
Clears most blockages fast.
Sewer Line Replacement
For lines too far gone for a targeted repair.
Hydro Jetting
Flush out older buildup with high-pressure water.
Sewer Camera Inspection
See exactly what's causing the problem before any work begins.
Overhead Sewer Systems
Keeps sewage moving up and out, even during heavy rain.
Sewer Maintenance
Routine service that catches small issues before they become a backup.
Sewer Line Installation
New lines for new builds, conversions, and system upgrades.
Emergency Service
Dispatched nights, weekends, and holidays.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Slow drains, gurgling, a sewage smell, and backups that return after rodding are the main warning signs.
The most common warning signs are slow drains across multiple fixtures, gurgling sounds from toilets or pipes, a sewage smell inside or outside the home, and backups that keep coming back after rodding. When you're seeing more than one of these at the same time, the problem is usually in the main line, not a single drain.
We start with a camera inspection, so you see exactly what's happening inside the pipe before any repair is discussed.
We start with a camera inspection. A technician runs a camera down the line and shows you exactly what's happening inside the pipe, so you're looking at the same picture we are before any repair gets discussed.
It depends on the method. Trenchless repairs can sometimes finish in a single day; excavation takes longer.
It depends on the method and how deep the pipe sits. Trenchless repairs from the inside can sometimes be finished in a single day. Traditional excavation takes longer, since it means digging down to the pipe. Your technician will give you a timeline once the camera inspection shows what we're dealing with.
Cost depends on the repair method, pipe material, and how far the damage extends. We'll walk you through it after we see what's going on.
The cost depends on the repair method, the pipe material, and how far the damage extends. Give us a call and we'll walk you through it after we see what's going on.
Replacement usually comes up when a pipe has collapsed, is badly offset, or has failed in more than one spot.
Replacement usually comes up when a pipe has collapsed, is badly offset, or has failed in more than one spot. If that's what the camera shows, we'll tell you honestly instead of trying to patch something that won't hold. Our Sewer Replacement page has more on what that process looks like.
After the camera inspection, we pull permits, walk you through your options, and give you a flat rate before work begins.
After the camera inspection, we pull any required permits, walk you through your options, and give you a flat rate before work begins. You'll know what's happening and why at every step.
In most cases, yes. We handle the permitting as part of the job, so you don't have to sort it out yourself.
In most cases, yes. Permit requirements depend on the scope of the work and your local building department. We handle the permitting as part of the job, so it's not something you have to sort out yourself.
Regular camera inspections catch small issues before they turn into a backup. It's part of what No Drip Club visits are built around.
Regular camera inspections catch small issues, like a root starting to grow into a joint, before they turn into a backup. That's part of what the No Drip Club's scheduled visits are built around.
Get Started Today
Ready to Stop Worrying About Your Sewer Line?
We’ve been fixing sewer lines for over 30 years, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong before we touch anything. One call gets it handled.
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