Sewer Repair, Sewer Replacement, and Video Inspection
Full Nelson diagnoses and repairs damaged sewer lines using video camera inspection, traditional excavation, and trenchless pipe bursting methods. Our plumbers assess the condition of your sewer line, explain what we find, and recommend the most effective repair approach for the situation.
Signs of a Damaged Sewer Line
Sewer line problems develop underground where you cannot see them, but they produce warning signs inside the house and in the yard. Catching these signs early can mean the difference between a targeted repair and a full line replacement.
- Multiple drains backing up at the same time
- Sewage odors inside the house or near the foundation
- Gurgling sounds from toilets when other fixtures drain
- Slow drains throughout the house that do not respond to cleaning
- Wet spots, sinkholes, or unusually lush patches in the yard
- Foundation cracks appearing alongside drainage problems
Any combination of these symptoms warrants a camera inspection to determine what is happening inside the pipe.
Sewer Video Camera Inspection
Camera inspection reveals
- Tree root infiltration through pipe joints
- Cracks, fractures, or collapsed sections
- Pipe offset where joints have shifted out of alignment
- Bellied pipe where a section has sunk and collects waste
- Corrosion or deterioration in older cast iron or clay tile lines
- Grease or mineral scale buildup narrowing the pipe
You see the footage alongside our technician. We explain what the camera shows and walk through your options before any repair begins.
Sewer Line Repair
When damage is limited to a specific section of the line, a targeted repair is often more cost-effective than replacing the entire sewer. Full Nelson repairs cracked, offset, or partially collapsed sewer pipes using the method best suited to the pipe material, depth, and location of the damage.
Common sewer line repair scenarios include:
- Single joint offset where two pipe sections have shifted apart
- Localized root intrusion at a joint or crack
- Cracked section caused by ground movement or heavy surface loads
- Deteriorated fittings or connections at the main stack or cleanout
For pipes with minor root intrusion, hydro jetting can clear the roots and restore flow. When roots keep returning, the underlying crack or joint failure needs to be repaired to prevent regrowth.
Sewer Line Replacement
When a sewer line is collapsed, severely corroded, or damaged in multiple locations, full replacement is the most reliable long-term solution. Full Nelson replaces sewer lines using both traditional excavation and trenchless pipe bursting.
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Traditional Excavation
Traditional replacement involves trenching along the path of the sewer line to access and remove the old pipe. The new pipe, typically PVC or ABS, is laid in the trench at the correct grade and connected to the house and municipal system. This method is sometimes required when the existing pipe has fully collapsed, when the line path needs to be rerouted, or when soil conditions make trenchless methods impractical.
Trenchless pipe bursting works well when:
- The existing pipe path is straight or has gentle curves
- The pipe diameter stays consistent along the run
- Access points can be established at both ends of the line
- The surrounding soil can accommodate the outward displacement
Not every situation is a candidate for trenchless replacement. Full Nelson evaluates each job with camera inspection before recommending a method.
Common Sewer Line Materials
The material of your existing sewer line affects how it fails and which repair methods apply.
Clay tile
Common in homes built before the 1970s. Joints are vulnerable to root intrusion and ground movement. Sections crack and crumble over time.
Cast iron
Used heavily from the 1920s through 1970s. Corrodes from the inside out, developing scale buildup, thinning walls, and eventually holes or collapses.
Orangeburg (bituminous fiber)
A tar-paper pipe used from the 1940s through 1970s. Deforms under soil pressure and deteriorates when exposed to certain chemicals. Almost always requires full replacement when it fails.
PVC
Standard in homes built from the 1980s onward. Durable and resistant to corrosion, but joints can separate and the pipe can crack under extreme ground movement or improper installation.
Full Nelson identifies your pipe material during camera inspection and factors it into repair recommendations.
Why Full Nelson
- Family, Women, and Veteran owned since 2003
- Licensed, insured plumbers
- Video camera inspection before and after repairs
- Trenchless pipe bursting and traditional excavation capabilities
- Up-front pricing before work begins
- 24/7 emergency sewer service