Some sewer lines stop draining because they are blocked. Others stop because they are broken. Repair is warranted when a camera shows a crack, a sag, a separated joint or a collapse. We show you the footage, explain each repair option and the trade-offs, and repair only the section that needs it whenever possible.
The causeWhy it happens
Sewer lines fail for a few reasons. Clay tile breaks at the joints and lets roots in. Cast iron corrodes from the inside until the bottom of the pipe wears through. Orangeburg pipe, used in some mid-century homes, deforms and collapses. Shifting soil causes sags, called bellies, where waste settles and blockages repeat. And heavy equipment or tree roots can crush a section outright.
DiagnosisWhat we check first
- 01Camera footage
- We locate and measure the damage, and you see exactly what we see before any digging starts.
- 02Depth and location
- A sonde on the camera head lets us mark the damaged section on the surface, so excavation is precise.
- 03Extent of damage
- One cracked joint is a spot repair. Pipe that is failing along most of its length may be better replaced.
- 04What is above the line
- Driveways, trees, slabs and landscaping all affect which repair method makes sense.
The optionsWhich repair fits, and when
We lay out the choices plainly, explain what each involves and leave the decision with you.
Spot repair
A single break or a short failing section. We excavate at that point, cut out the bad pipe and splice in new PVC with proper couplings.
Section replacement
Several failures close together, or a belly long enough that a spot repair will not hold grade.
Full line replacement
The pipe is failing along most of its length. Replacing it eliminates repeated repairs and gives you a clean, graded line.
Local conditionsSewer Repair on the west side of San Antonio
San Antonio's expansive clay and caliche soils swell when wet and shrink in drought, putting steady stress on buried pipe and slabs. That movement is why sags and separated joints are so common here. Repairs to a building sewer typically need a permit through the City of San Antonio Development Services Department, and we schedule the inspection before backfilling.
From the jobExcavated sewer line ready for new pipe
A few things that help
If the line is backing up, limit water use until it has been cleared. Mark sprinkler heads and any private lines you know about in the yard so we can work around them.
QuestionsCommon questions about sewer repair
How do you know where to dig?
The camera head carries a locator transmitter. We find it from the surface and mark the exact spot and depth.
Can you repair a line under my slab?
Yes. Depending on location, we may tunnel under the foundation or open the floor. We explain the options and trade-offs for your house.
Will my yard be torn up?
Spot repairs disturb only a small area. We backfill and compact the soil, and set aside the sod where we can.
Related workServices that often go with it
Talk it through with usOpen 7 AM to 11 PM every day. Se habla español.
(210) 761-4788