Sewer Line Repair
Quick answer
When several drains back up at once, or the lowest drain in the house fills with sewage, the main sewer line is blocked or broken. A plumber clears it, then runs a camera to see roots, a sag or a collapsed section. Trenchless replacement typically runs $60–$250 per foot. For a plumber, call (888) 217-6781.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Signs you need a plumber
- More than one drain slow or backing up at the same time
- Sewage coming up the basement floor drain or the lowest tub or shower
- Gurgling in a toilet when a sink or the washer drains
- A sewage smell in the yard, or a wet, unusually green patch over the line
- Repeated clogs that come back weeks after being cleared
Sewage coming into the house is a health hazard. Stop running water anywhere in the house, keep people and pets away from the affected area, and call. Do not use a chemical drain opener on a main line.
What to check before you call
- Run water in an upstairs sink and watch the lowest drains: rising water there points to the main line
- Find the cleanout (a capped pipe outside or in the basement); water standing in it confirms a main line block
- Note when the problem started and whether trees grow near the line
- Check whether the backup started after heavy rain
What the plumber does
- 1
Clears the line
Snakes or hydro-jets the main line from the cleanout to get the house working again.
- 2
Camera inspection
Runs a camera down the line to find roots, a belly, an offset joint or a collapsed section, and where it is.
- 3
Repairs or replaces
A spot repair, a trenchless liner or pipe bursting, or excavation and replacement where the pipe has collapsed.
Sewer line repair cost
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Trenchless replacement | $60–$250 per foot | Bob Vila |
| Pipe bursting | $60–$200 per foot | Bob Vila |
| Cured-in-place lining | $90–$250 per foot | HomeServe sewer |
Length, depth, access and what sits on top of the line (a driveway, a tree) move the price more than the method. The city usually owns the part beyond your property line. Sources: Bob Vila sewer line replacement cost guide, HomeServe sewer line repair and replacement cost guide.
Ready to book a plumber?
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Step-by-step guides
Main Sewer Line Clog: Signs, What to Do First and Who to Call
Several slow drains at once, a tub that fills when the toilet flushes: what a main-line clog looks like and what to do.
Bathroom Smells Like Sewer? The 6 Causes, From Quick Fix to Real Problem (2026)
That sewer smell has six possible sources, and the most common one costs nothing to fix: a dried P-trap refills with a cup of water. The rest range from a $5 wax ring to a cracked sewer line — here's the order to check them, and the two signs it's about to become a backup.
Sewer line repair: common questions
How do I know if it is the main sewer line or one drain?
One slow drain is a branch clog. Several drains backing up together, or water rising in the lowest drain when you run an upstairs sink, points to the main line.
Is trenchless sewer repair always possible?
Not always. A liner needs a pipe that still holds its shape; a fully collapsed section or a badly sagging line usually has to be dug up and replaced.
Who pays for a sewer line repair?
The homeowner usually owns the line from the house to the property line or the city connection. Homeowners insurance often excludes it unless you have a service line endorsement.
Other plumbing services
(888) 217-6781 is the plumbing line. HearthDry is a referral service; the company you reach is independent.