Sewer Line Repair in Denver, CO

Is it the sewer line or just a clog?

A single slow drain usually means a local clog in that fixture's branch. The sewer line becomes the suspect when the whole house is affected. Watch for:

• Water coming up in a basement floor drain or lowest tub when a toilet flushes
• Several fixtures draining slowly at once
• Gurgling toilets and bubbling drains
• A sewage smell in the basement or outside near the line
• Backups that return within weeks of having the line cleared

How a repair gets planned

The plumber clears enough of the line to get a camera through, then records the run. A locator picks up the signal from the camera head so the problem spot and its depth can be marked on the surface. With that information, digging is limited to one pit where possible, and you can see the footage for yourself.

Common repair methods

Older laterals in Denver

Denver's median home was built in 1975, and about 55.5% were built before 1980. Clay sewer laterals can come up in houses from that period, and clay joints are where roots tend to get in. A repair on one joint may buy years, but a lateral with problems at several joints is often a better candidate for replacement.

City main versus private line

Denver Wastewater Management, under the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, runs the public sewer system. The line from your house to the city main is generally treated as a private plumbing repair. If the camera shows a problem near the street or at the connection, check with Wastewater Management about your specific address before work is planned there. Homes not on municipal sewer use a private onsite wastewater system, which is a different job.

Cost factors

Depth, length of the damaged section, pipe material, whether a liner can be used, and what sits above the line, such as a driveway, sidewalk or mature tree, all affect the price. Permit requirements can add to it. Ask for the camera video along with the written quote.