Your sewer line is the one pipe every drain in the house depends on, and it is buried where you cannot see it. When it cracks, sags or fills with roots, the first sign is usually a backup in the basement. Wilson's plumbers diagnose sewer problems with a camera, then repair or replace the line, including trenchless options where the pipe and site allow.
Sewage backing up? Call 330-920-0225. Our call center answers around the clock.
Signs of a sewer line problem
- Water or sewage coming up through a basement floor drain.
- Several drains backing up or slowing at the same time.
- Gurgling toilets and drains, especially when the washer empties.
- Sewage odor in the basement or yard.
- A soggy or unusually green patch of lawn along the sewer route.
- A main line that needs drain cleaning again and again.
Why sewer lines fail
Sewer laterals in older neighborhoods were often laid in clay tile or cast iron, and some were laid in materials that break down with age. Clay joints let roots in as they shift. Cast iron corrodes from the inside and can crack or scale up until flow slows. Over decades, soil settling and freeze-thaw cycles can pull joints apart or create a sag where waste sits instead of flowing. Newer plastic lines resist roots and corrosion better but can still be damaged by settling or by construction above them. Knowing the pipe material and age, which the camera inspection usually shows, helps your plumber recommend whether to clean, repair one section, line the pipe or replace it.
Camera inspection comes first
Guessing at a sewer line is expensive. Wilson's plumbers run a camera through the line to see where the problem is and what it is: roots entering at joints, a section that has sagged and holds water, an offset or separated joint, a crack or collapse, or heavy buildup. The camera also tells us how deep and how far from the house the problem sits, which drives the repair method and the cost.
You see what we see. Your plumber walks you through the footage and explains the options before recommending anything.
Repair options
Cleaning and root removal
If the pipe is sound and the issue is buildup or light root intrusion, cleaning may be enough for now. We will tell you if the camera shows damage that will bring the problem back.
Spot repair
A single cracked or separated section can often be excavated and replaced on its own, leaving the rest of the line in place.
Trenchless pipe lining
Where the existing pipe is intact enough and the layout allows, a new liner can be installed inside the old pipe and cured in place, sealing cracks and joints without digging a full trench across the yard. Lining is not right for a collapsed line or a severe sag, and the camera inspection decides whether it is an option.
Sewer line replacement
When the pipe has collapsed, has major sags, or is failing along its length, replacement is the lasting fix. Your plumber explains the excavation, how long the work takes, and what permits and inspections your community requires.
What the visit includes
Every sewer visit starts with understanding what is happening in your home, followed by a camera inspection when the symptoms point to the main line. You get upfront pricing before any work begins, and if more than one repair method fits, we lay out each option so you can choose. If the backup is active, the first priority is getting your drains flowing again, then planning the lasting repair once the line is clear and visible on camera.
Annual camera inspection with the Healthy Home Membership
Wilson's Healthy Home Membership is $15 a month and includes one camera inspection of the main drain line each year, plus 5% off installations, including excavation and lining, 15% off repairs and a waived dispatch fee. Terms apply, including a 12-month minimum.
Where we repair sewer lines
Wilson's plumbers work across Northeast Ohio, with offices in Stow, Akron, Solon and Beachwood. For more on local costs and methods, read our guides on pipe relining in Cleveland and sewer replacement cost in Parma, or see all of our plumbing services.
FAQs
Sewer line questions
How do I know if my sewer line is broken?
Repeated main line clogs, water coming up through a basement floor drain, sewage odor, and several drains backing up together are common signs. A camera inspection confirms whether the pipe is damaged and shows exactly where.
What is trenchless sewer repair?
Trenchless repair fixes the pipe without digging a full trench. With lining, a new pipe is formed inside the old one and cured in place. It works when the existing pipe is intact enough to hold a liner, which the camera inspection shows.
Can tree roots be removed from a sewer line?
Yes. Roots can be cut out of the line, and cleaning restores flow. Roots enter through cracks and joints, so they often grow back. If the camera shows damaged joints, lining or a spot repair can seal the entry points for a longer-lasting fix.
Who is responsible for the sewer line, me or the city?
In many communities the homeowner is responsible for the lateral from the house to the city connection, but rules vary. Your plumber can explain what typically applies, and your city or sewer district can confirm for your address.
How long does sewer line replacement take?
It depends on the line's length and depth, the method and any permits or inspections required. Many residential replacements take one to a few days. Your plumber gives you a timeline with the quote.
Book a sewer inspection
Call 330-920-0225 or book online. Upfront pricing before any work starts.