Madison Heights’ Trusted Choice
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement in Madison Heights, MI
Sewage backing up into your basement. Multiple drains gurgling and refusing to work. That smell you can’t quite place coming from your yard. Water pooling in strange places around your property.
These aren’t small problems you can ignore. They’re signs your sewer line is failing, and they’re only going to get worse.
At Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing, we fix and replace sewer lines throughout Madison Heights and Oakland County. We handle everything from simple repairs to complete line replacements, using both traditional excavation and modern trenchless methods. We’ll inspect your line with a camera, show you exactly what’s wrong, and explain your options in plain English.
Book Your Free Plumbing Consultation
Got a plumbing issue or need a quote? We’re here to help. Contact Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing today for a no-obligation consultation.
Why Madison Heights Sewer Lines Fail
Madison Heights isn’t a new city. Most homes here were built in the 1950s through 1970s, especially in neighborhoods like Red Oaks, Greenlawn, and around Oakland Mall. That means your sewer line is probably 50 to 70 years old.
Here’s what happens to sewer lines over time: Cast iron pipes corrode from the inside out. The rough, deteriorated surface catches debris and accelerates problems. Clay tile pipes crack at the joints and separate as the ground shifts. Orangeburg pipe (that tar paper stuff they used in the 50s and 60s) simply collapses after a few decades.
And then there are the trees. Madison Heights has beautiful mature trees lining every street. Those trees have massive root systems constantly searching for water. Your sewer line is their target. Roots enter through tiny cracks or joints, then grow into thick mats that block flow and can crack pipes completely.
The soil conditions here don’t help either. Clay-heavy soil expands and contracts with moisture changes, putting stress on rigid pipes. Freeze-thaw cycles in Michigan winters crack pipes that are already weakened.
We’ve replaced hundreds of sewer lines in Madison Heights. We know what fails, where it fails, and how to fix it permanently.
Signs You Need Sewer Line Repair
Multiple drains backing up at the same time. If your toilet, shower, and sink all start backing up together, you’ve got a main sewer line problem. Individual drain clogs don’t affect multiple fixtures.
Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets. That gurgling is air trapped in your pipes because of a blockage. The blockage is restricting flow and pushing air back through your drains.
Sewage smell inside or outside your home. Sewer gas means there’s a leak or crack somewhere in your line. This isn’t just unpleasant, it’s a health hazard.
Extremely green or lush patches in your yard. Sewage is fertilizer. If you’ve got one area of grass that’s way greener than the rest, sewage is probably leaking underground.
Wet spots or depressions in your yard. Unexplained wet areas, especially near your sewer line path, indicate a leak. Depressions or sinkholes mean the ground is collapsing into a void created by a broken pipe.
Slow drains throughout your entire house. If everything drains slowly, even after cleaning individual drains, your main line has restricted flow from buildup or partial blockage.
Sewage backing up through floor drains. This is serious. Sewage coming up through your basement floor drains means your main line is completely blocked and sewage has nowhere to go but back into your house.
Increased rodent or insect activity. Rats and cockroaches love sewer pipes. If they’re suddenly showing up, they might be entering through cracks in your sewer line.
Our Sewer Line Inspection Process
We don’t guess about sewer problems. We look.
First, we run a professional sewer camera through your line. This waterproof camera travels through your entire sewer system, showing us every crack, blockage, root intrusion, and problem area. You watch the screen with us. We explain what you’re seeing in real time.
The camera records everything and marks distances. We’ll know exactly where problems are located, how severe they are, and what caused them. Is it tree roots? Collapsed pipe? Offset joints? Corrosion? The camera shows us.
This inspection usually costs $150-$300, but we often include it free with repair or replacement work. You get a copy of the video for your records.
Based on what we find, we’ll recommend the best solution. Sometimes a simple repair works. Sometimes the entire line needs replacement. We’ll explain both options, what each costs, and help you make an informed decision.
Sewer Line Repair Options
Spot Repairs
If damage is localized to one section, we can repair just that area. We excavate the damaged section, remove it, and install new pipe. This works well for recent damage from things like construction accidents or isolated root intrusion.
Spot repairs cost less than full replacement but only make sense if the rest of your line is in good condition. If your pipe is 60 years old and failing in multiple places, spot repairs become a temporary Band-Aid.
Trenchless Pipe Lining
Pipe lining installs a new pipe inside your old one without digging up your yard. We insert a resin-coated liner through an access point, position it throughout the damaged section, then inflate it and cure it in place. The result is a smooth, seamless pipe inside your old one.
Pipe lining works great for pipes with cracks, corrosion, or root intrusion, as long as the pipe hasn’t completely collapsed. The new liner is jointless, so roots can’t get back in. It typically lasts 50+ years.
The process takes one or two days. We need access points at both ends of the section being lined, but we don’t tear up your driveway, landscaping, or walkways. The new pipe is slightly smaller in diameter (about half an inch), but this rarely affects flow in residential applications.
Trenchless lining costs more per foot than traditional replacement but saves money on restoration. No digging means no landscape replacement, no driveway repair, no sidewalk removal.
Trenchless Pipe Bursting
Pipe bursting breaks apart your old pipe while simultaneously pulling in new pipe to replace it. We dig access pits at both ends, feed a bursting head through the old pipe, and pull it through. The head breaks apart the old pipe and drags new pipe behind it.
This method works even for completely collapsed pipes or severe root intrusion. The new pipe is the same diameter or larger than your old one. Like lining, it requires minimal excavation and causes little property disruption.
Pipe bursting handles situations where lining won’t work. If your pipe has severe bellying (sagging sections), major offset joints, or has collapsed, bursting is often the better choice.
Traditional Excavation and Replacement
Sometimes traditional dig-and-replace is the right answer. If your sewer line has improper slope that’s causing recurring problems, excavation lets us correct the grade. If your line connects to the city main at an awkward angle or depth, we can fix that. If you need the line rerouted around new construction, excavation gives us that flexibility.
Traditional replacement means trenching the length of your sewer line, removing old pipe, installing new PVC or ABS pipe at proper grade, and backfilling. Then we restore pavement, landscaping, and any other affected surfaces.
It’s more disruptive than trenchless methods, takes longer, and requires more cleanup. But it’s sometimes the only way to fix certain problems correctly. And for shorter runs (under 50 feet), it might actually cost less than trenchless options.
What Type of Pipe Do We Install?
For sewer line replacements, we typically use PVC Schedule 40 or ABS pipe. Both are durable, root-resistant, and last 50+ years. They don’t corrode, they’re smooth inside so debris doesn’t catch, and they handle ground movement better than rigid cast iron or clay.
PVC is white plastic pipe, commonly used for sewer lines. ABS is black plastic pipe, sometimes preferred in colder climates. Both work great for Madison Heights applications. We’ll recommend the best option for your specific situation.
The days of cast iron and clay tile sewer pipes are over. Modern plastic pipes simply perform better and last longer.
How Much Does Sewer Line Repair or Replacement Cost?
This is the question everyone asks first, and honestly, it depends.
Camera inspection alone runs $150-$300, but we often include this free when you hire us for the repair.
Simple spot repairs for a small section might cost $1,500-$3,500 depending on depth, access, and extent of damage.
Trenchless pipe lining typically runs $80-$250 per foot. For a typical 60-foot residential sewer line, you’re looking at $5,000-$15,000.
Trenchless pipe bursting costs $60-$200 per foot, so $3,500-$12,000 for an average line.
Traditional excavation and replacement runs $50-$150 per foot for the plumbing work, plus restoration costs for pavement, landscaping, and any structures affected. Total project costs range from $3,000 to $20,000+ depending on length, depth, and restoration needs.
Factors affecting cost include the length of your sewer line, how deep it’s buried, what’s above it (grass vs. driveway vs. finished basement floor), soil conditions, required permits, connection difficulties at the city main, and whether we encounter unexpected complications like other utilities in the way.
We provide written estimates before starting work. You’ll know what the project costs, what’s included, and what payment options are available.
Emergency Sewer Repairs
Sewage backing up into your home is an emergency. It’s a health hazard, it causes property damage, and it needs to be fixed immediately.
We provide 24/7 emergency sewer repair throughout Madison Heights. When you call, a real plumber answers. We’ll ask about your situation, give you emergency instructions, and get someone to your property as quickly as possible.
Emergency service costs more than scheduled work because you’re paying for immediate response and after-hours availability. But when sewage is flooding your basement at midnight on Saturday, regular business hours don’t help you.
Our emergency response includes stopping the immediate problem, cleaning the affected area, and determining what caused the failure. We’ll make temporary repairs if needed to restore function, then schedule permanent fixes during normal hours when costs are lower.
The Sewer Repair and Replacement Process
Step 1: Camera Inspection
We inspect your line to identify the problem, its location, and its severity. You see everything we see.
Step 2: Explain Your Options
Based on inspection results, we’ll explain your repair or replacement options. We’ll tell you what we recommend and why, what each option costs, and how long it takes.
Step 3: Handle Permits
Most sewer work in Madison Heights requires permits. We handle the paperwork, submit plans, and coordinate inspections. You don’t deal with city bureaucracy.
Step 4: Locate Utilities
Before any digging, we call MISS DIG to mark underground utilities. Gas, electric, water, cable, phone lines all need to be located and marked to avoid damage.
Step 5: Complete the Work
Whether we’re lining, bursting, or excavating, we do the work efficiently and correctly. We protect your property, work cleanly, and keep you updated on progress.
Step 6: Test the System
After completing the repair or replacement, we test everything. We run water, check for leaks, verify proper flow, and make sure the work meets code.
Step 7: Restore Your Property
We backfill excavations, compact soil properly, and restore surfaces. Grass gets reseeded or sodded. Concrete and asphalt get patched. Your property should look better than it did before, minus the sewer problem.
Step 8: Final Inspection
City inspectors verify the work meets code. We coordinate this inspection and handle any required documentation.
Why Choose Drain Masters Rooter for Sewer Line Work
We Show You the Problem
Camera inspection means no guessing. You see exactly what’s wrong, where it is, and how bad the damage is.
Multiple Repair Options
We offer both trenchless and traditional methods. We’ll recommend what makes sense for your situation and budget, not just what makes us the most money.
Experienced with Madison Heights Systems
We’ve worked on hundreds of sewer lines in this area. We know the common problems, the soil conditions, the depths you’ll encounter, and the local codes.
We Handle Everything
Permits, utility locates, city inspections, property restoration. We manage the entire project so you don’t have to coordinate multiple contractors.
Licensed and Insured
Michigan licensed master plumbers, fully insured for your protection. Sewer work done wrong causes expensive problems. We do it right.
Upfront Pricing
Written estimates before we start. No surprise charges, no “unforeseen complications” that double the price halfway through.
We Respect Your Property
Protective measures to minimize damage. Thorough cleanup. Property restoration included in the quote, not an afterthought.
Preventing Sewer Line Problems
You can’t prevent all sewer problems, but you can reduce the likelihood of major issues.
Don’t plant trees near your sewer line. If you’re putting in new landscaping, keep trees at least 10 feet from your sewer line. Existing trees? Have your line inspected every few years to catch root problems early.
Watch what you flush. Toilets handle human waste and toilet paper. That’s it. Everything else causes problems. No wipes (even “flushable” ones), no paper towels, no hygiene products.
Don’t pour grease down drains. Grease solidifies in sewer lines and causes blockages. Put it in a container and throw it in the trash.
Get periodic inspections. Homes over 30 years old with original sewer lines should be inspected every 3-5 years. Catch problems before they become emergencies.
Address slow drains promptly. That slow-draining toilet or sink is telling you something. Small problems become big ones if you ignore them.
Reviews
What Our Clients Say
Contact Info
Location
33044 Mound Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Phone
586-942-3330
Our Services
Our Plumbing Services in Sterling Heights
Drain Cleaning
Clogged drains are more than just an inconvenience—they can lead to costly damage if left untreated. Our expert plumbers use advanced tools to quickly and effectively remove blockages in sinks, tubs, and toilets. With routine drain cleaning, you can avoid backups and ensure your system flows smoothly year-round.
Jetting
When standard cleaning isn’t enough, high-pressure jetting gets the job done. We use state-of-the-art equipment to blast away grease, sludge, roots, and debris from inside your pipes. This powerful method not only clears current blockages but also helps prevent future clogs, making it an ideal solution for long-term plumbing health.
Plumbing
From leak repairs to repiping, our licensed plumbers provide reliable solutions tailored to your home or business needs. We offer a full spectrum of services, including drain cleaning, water heater installation, and emergency repairs, ensuring your system runs efficiently and reliably. Trust our experienced team for professional, high-quality plumbing work every time.
Sewer Repairs & Replacement
Sewer problems can disrupt your property and pose serious health risks if not handled quickly. At Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing, we specialize in repairing and replacing damaged sewer lines using both traditional and trenchless methods. Whether it’s root intrusion, cracked pipes, or a collapsed line, our team diagnoses the issue with precision and provides the most cost-effective, long-term solution.
Floor Breaks
Some plumbing problems hide beneath concrete floors and require specialized access. Our expert floor break services provide safe, controlled openings to reach underground pipes without unnecessary damage. Using professional-grade cutting equipment, we minimize dust, debris, and disruption while exposing only the exact area that needs repair.
Camera Inspections with Video
When it comes to plumbing problems, seeing is believing. Our advanced camera inspections provide a real-time, high-definition look inside your pipes, allowing us to identify clogs, cracks, leaks, or root intrusions with pinpoint accuracy. This non-invasive technology eliminates guesswork and prevents unnecessary digging or costly trial-and-error repairs.
Leak Detection
Leaks often remain hidden until they cause expensive water damage, mold growth, or high utility bills. Our leak detection service uses state-of-the-art technology—including electronic listening devices, moisture meters, and thermal imaging—to pinpoint leaks quickly without tearing into walls, floors, or ceilings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sewer Repair in Madison Heights
Q1. How do I know if I need sewer line repair or complete replacement?
The camera inspection tells us. If damage is localized to one section and the rest of your line looks good, repair makes sense. If you’ve got multiple problem areas, extensive root intrusion throughout the line, or severe corrosion in a 60-year-old cast iron pipe, replacement is the better long-term solution. Here’s the reality: patching multiple spots in an old, deteriorating line is like putting Band-Aids on a sinking ship. It might work temporarily, but you’ll be calling us back for more repairs within a year or two. We’ll be honest about what we see and recommend the most cost-effective long-term solution.
Q2. What’s the difference between trenchless and traditional sewer line replacement?
Traditional replacement means digging a trench the entire length of your sewer line, removing old pipe, and installing new pipe. It’s disruptive and requires tearing up landscaping, driveways, or whatever’s above your sewer line. Trenchless methods (pipe lining or pipe bursting) create a new pipe with minimal excavation, usually just small access pits at each end. Trenchless causes less property damage, finishes faster, and often costs less when you factor in restoration expenses. But it’s not always possible. Severely collapsed pipes, improper grade issues, or tight bends might require traditional excavation. We’ll recommend the best method after inspecting your line.
Q3. How long does sewer line replacement take?
Trenchless pipe lining usually takes 1-2 days. Pipe bursting takes 1-3 days depending on length and soil conditions. Traditional excavation and replacement can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, depending on the length of the line, how deep it’s buried, soil conditions, what we have to dig through, and restoration work required. Weather affects timelines too. We can’t work in frozen ground or during heavy rain. We’ll give you a realistic timeline estimate before starting, and keep you updated if anything changes.
Q4. Will my homeowner’s insurance cover sewer line repair?
Sometimes, but usually not. Most standard homeowner’s policies exclude sewer line damage unless you’ve purchased specific sewer line coverage as an add-on. If the damage was caused by something sudden and unexpected (like a car hitting your cleanout), insurance might cover it. Gradual deterioration, tree roots, and age-related failure typically aren’t covered. Check your policy or call your insurance agent. We’re happy to provide documentation and estimates for insurance claims, but we can’t guarantee they’ll pay. Some homeowners in Madison Heights carry separate sewer line insurance specifically because sewer replacements are expensive and the city’s older infrastructure makes problems common.
Q5. Can tree roots really destroy my sewer line?
Absolutely. Tree roots are incredibly persistent and strong. They grow toward moisture sources, and your sewer line is full of water and nutrients. They enter through tiny cracks or loose joints, then expand as they grow. Over months and years, roots form thick mats inside your pipe that catch everything flowing through. Eventually, they crack pipes, separate joints, or cause complete collapse. We’ve pulled root masses out of sewer lines that weigh 50+ pounds. The mature trees throughout Madison Heights make root intrusion one of the most common sewer problems we deal with. If you have large trees within 30 feet of your sewer line, periodic inspection is smart preventive maintenance.
Q6. How deep are sewer lines buried in Madison Heights?
Typically 3 to 8 feet deep, depending on when your home was built and local terrain. Older homes might have shallower lines. Newer construction generally goes deeper to meet current frost depth requirements. The depth affects repair costs because deeper excavation requires more work, potentially shoring or trench boxes for safety, and is more complicated to access. Part of our inspection process includes determining the exact depth of your line so we can give you accurate cost estimates.
Q7. What happens if my sewer line breaks in winter?
We provide emergency service year-round, but winter creates challenges. Frozen ground is harder to excavate. Trenchless methods still work because we’re not digging extensive trenches. Traditional excavation in frozen ground requires specialized equipment and takes longer. If your sewer line breaks in winter, we’ll make emergency repairs to restore function, then often recommend scheduling full replacement for spring when weather cooperates and costs are lower. Obviously, if you need it fixed immediately regardless of season, we’ll get it done. But if we can make a temporary repair and wait for better conditions, you’ll save money on the permanent fix.
Schedule Your Sewer Line Inspection Today
Don’t wait for a sewer emergency to find out your line is failing. Warning signs are there. Multiple slow drains, gurgling sounds, sewage odors, wet spots in your yard – these problems get worse, not better.
Drain Masters Rooter Plumbing provides expert sewer line repair and replacement throughout Madison Heights. We’ll inspect your line, show you exactly what’s happening, and explain your options clearly.
Call us today to schedule a camera inspection or for 24/7 emergency sewer service. We’ll fix your sewer line right the first time.
We Provide