Sewer Line Inspection & Repair

Common questions

What are the signs of a main sewer line problem?

Backups in the lowest fixtures first, several drains slowing at once, gurgling toilets, sewer smell around the property, or unusually lush patches in the lawn along the line's route. Recurring clogs that clear and return within months are the most common signal.

Do you have to dig up the yard?

Often not. Trenchless methods — pipe bursting and lining — replace or reline the pipe through access points at each end rather than an open trench along its length. Whether it's an option depends on the pipe's condition and route, which is what the camera tells us.

Why do older Bay Area homes have this problem so often?

Clay and cast-iron laterals were standard for decades. Both develop joint separations as the ground moves, and mature trees find those joints. It's less a defect than an age pattern, which is why we suggest scoping the line once on any pre-1970s property with big trees.

Is a sewer inspection worth it before buying a house?

It's one of the few inspections that regularly finds a five-figure problem a standard home inspection misses. If you're buying older Peninsula housing stock, yes.