Expert Sewer Repair & Replacement in Rochester Hills, MI

Why Sewer Problems Are So Common in Rochester Hills

Let’s be honest about something most plumbers won’t tell you upfront. Rochester Hills has a lot of older homes. Many properties built in the 60s, 70s, and 80s still have their original sewer lines. That means clay pipes, cast iron that’s corroding from the inside out, and in some cases, Orangeburg pipe (yeah, that compressed wood fiber material that was popular decades ago).

Add in our Michigan weather with freeze-thaw cycles, mature trees along the Clinton River and Paint Creek areas, and you’ve got the perfect storm for sewer line problems.

Tree roots are relentless. They seek out moisture, and your sewer line is like a water source beacon. Those roots don’t just grow near your pipes. They invade through tiny cracks, expand, and completely take over. We’ve pulled out root masses the size of basketballs from sewer lines in the Stoney Creek Village area.

Our Sewer Repair & Replacement Process

We don’t guess. We know. Here’s how we actually work:

Step 1: Video Camera Inspection

First thing we do? Run a video pipeline inspection camera through your entire sewer line. This isn’t optional. It’s how we see exactly what’s wrong, where it’s wrong, and how bad it is. You’ll see the footage too. We show you the tree root intrusion, the collapsed section, the corroded cast iron, whatever’s causing your problem.

This inspection tells us if you need a simple spot repair, extensive repairs, or full replacement. It saves you money because we’re not digging up your entire yard on a hunch.

Step 2: Honest Assessment and Options

After the inspection, we sit down and talk through your options. If you can get away with pipe relining (CIPP), we’ll tell you. If you need full replacement, we’ll explain why. If hydro jetting can clear those roots and buy you a few years, that’s an option too.

We give you upfront pricing. No hidden fees. No surprises when the job’s done.

Step 3: The Repair or Replacement

Depending on what’s needed, we’ll use one of these methods:

Trenchless Sewer Repair works when your existing pipe is structurally sound but damaged. We insert a resin-coated liner through your cleanout access point, inflate it inside your old pipe, let it cure, and you’ve got a brand new pipe inside the old one. No digging up your driveway or landscaping. Popular option for homes in Auburn Hills border area and throughout Oakland Township.

Trenchless vs. Traditional: Which Do You Need?

Most people want trenchless. It’s faster, less disruptive, and usually cheaper when you factor in landscaping restoration. But it’s not always possible.

Trenchless works great when:

• Your existing pipe’s path is good (proper pitch and grade)
• The pipe hasn’t completely collapsed
• You don’t have major bellying or back-pitched sections
• There’s reasonable access through existing cleanouts

You’ll need traditional excavation when:

• The entire line has collapsed
• Pipes are severely offset or separated
• The line has terrible pitch (happens a lot in older Avon Township properties)
• You’re connecting to a new municipal sewer connection
• Tree roots have completely destroyed the structural integrity

We’ve done both methods throughout Rochester Hills, from homes near M-59 (Hall Road) to properties bordering Troy and Shelby Township. The right method depends on your specific situation.

What About Emergency Sewer Services?

Sewage backing up into your basement at 2 AM isn’t something you can ignore until Monday morning. We get it. That’s why we offer emergency 24/7 service.

A sewer backup is a health hazard. Raw sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If it’s flooding your home near Crooks Road or anywhere else in Rochester Hills, you need immediate help.

We’ll get the backup stopped, assess the damage, and start the cleanup and repair process right away. Our hydro jetting equipment can clear major blockages fast, and we’ll follow up with a video inspection to figure out why it backed up in the first place.

The Real Cost of Waiting

Here’s what happens when you ignore sewer problems:

That small crack becomes a complete break. That minor root intrusion becomes a total blockage. That slight backup becomes sewage flooding your finished basement.

A $2,000 repair becomes a $15,000 emergency replacement with contamination cleanup. Your homeowner’s insurance might not cover it if they determine you neglected maintenance. Plus, you can’t use your plumbing while it’s broken, which means hotels, eating out, and major life disruption.

We’ve seen homeowners in Sterling Heights and Bloomfield Hills wait too long and end up with foundation damage, contaminated soil that needs remediation, and ruined landscaping. Don’t let that be you.

Why Rochester Hills Homeowners Choose My Drain Master

We’re not the biggest plumbing company in Oakland County. We’re the one that shows up when we say we will, does the job right, and treats your property like it’s our own.

We’re licensed and insured. Michigan Licensed Master Plumber, fully bonded and insured, with all proper Oakland County business licenses. We’re not some guy with a truck.

We invest in the right equipment. Our video inspection cameras, hydro jetting machines, and trenchless equipment are professional-grade. We can diagnose and fix problems other companies miss.

We handle the permits. Dealing with county and city permits is confusing. We take care of all of it so you don’t have to figure out Oakland County bureaucracy.

Local knowledge matters. We know which Rochester Hills neighborhoods have clay pipes from the 1960s. We know where tree root problems are worst. We understand local soil conditions that affect sewer lines.

Transparent pricing. You’ll know what it costs before we start. We give you options at different price points and explain the pros and cons of each.

Serving All of Rochester Hills and Surrounding Areas

We work throughout the entire Rochester Hills area including all zip codes: 48306, 48307, and 48309. Whether you’re near Oakland University, along the Rochester Road corridor, in Meadowbrook Village, or anywhere from the Tienken Road area to the Livernois Road neighborhoods, we’ve got you covered.

We also serve nearby communities including Auburn Hills, Rochester, Troy, Shelby Township, Oakland Township, Sterling Heights, Bloomfield Hills, and Pontiac. If you’re close to Paint Creek, the Clinton River area, or near local parks like Spencer Park or Bloomer Park, we’re familiar with your area’s specific drainage challenges.

Common Sewer Line Materials We Work With

Different eras of construction used different materials. Here’s what we typically find:

Clay sewer pipes were standard from the 1920s through 1970s. They’re durable but joints separate over time and roots invade easily. Most older homes near Downtown Rochester Hills have clay.

Cast iron pipes were common from the 1950s through 1980s. They corrode from inside and outside, eventually developing holes and cracks.

Orangeburg pipe was that terrible compressed wood fiber material used from the 1940s through 1970s. If you have this, plan on replacement soon. It deteriorates and collapses.

PVC pipe is modern standard. Durable, root-resistant, and long-lasting. This is what we install for replacements.

Maintaining Your Sewer Line After Repair

Once we’ve repaired or replaced your sewer line, you want it to last. Here’s how:

Get periodic video inspections every few years, especially if you have mature trees near your line. Catching root intrusion early means simple hydro jetting instead of major repairs.

Don’t plant trees directly over your sewer line. Willows, poplars, and maples are the worst offenders. Keep landscaping at least 10 feet away from your lateral sewer line.

Never flush anything except toilet paper and human waste. “Flushable” wipes aren’t actually flushable. They clump together and cause backups.

If you’ve got older trees already established, consider root barrier installation or regular root cutting service to prevent future intrusion.

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