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Sewer line repair
Cracked, collapsed or root-damaged sewer lines repaired or replaced, with the work planned from camera footage so we dig only where the problem is.
The work we do
Your sewer lateral runs from the house to the public sewer, and in many Baltimore area homes it is old clay or cast iron. Over decades, joints separate, roots move in and sections crack or sag. When cleaning no longer keeps the line flowing, the damaged pipe has to be repaired or replaced.
We base every repair on what the camera shows. A single broken section can often be replaced on its own. A line that is failing along its length is better replaced. You see the footage, the options and the price for each before any digging starts.
Warning signs
A damaged sewer line often shows up in more than one way.
If the main line clogs again soon after being cleared, a break, sag or root-filled joint is often the reason.
An odor outside or near the foundation can mean wastewater is leaking from the lateral into the soil.
A wet patch or a dip in the lawn along the sewer path can mark a leaking or collapsed section.
Sewage coming up through the basement floor drain is a clear sign the line downstream is blocked or broken.
How we repair
We run the camera and mark the damaged section and its depth, so the repair plan is exact.
You see the footage and the options, spot repair or full replacement, with the price for each.
We open only what the plan calls for, replace the failed pipe with new material and connect it properly.
The new line is tested with water and checked on camera, then the trench is backfilled and the area restored.
Why Empire
Sewer repairs are a big job, and you deserve to understand them before agreeing. We show you the problem on video, explain each option in plain language and give you a clear price. Then our licensed crew does the work and leaves the site as tidy as the job allows.
Every recommendation comes from camera footage you can see, not a guess from the top of the cleanout.
Precise locating keeps excavations as small as possible, protecting your yard, driveway or basement floor.
We can install a cleanout during the repair, which makes future maintenance much easier and cheaper.
Work by Maryland licensed plumbers based in White Marsh, done to code and ready for inspection.
Questions
Do not see your question? Call (443) 630-9804 during office hours and talk to a licensed plumber.
Not always. If the camera shows one broken or root-damaged section and the rest of the pipe is sound, replacing that section can be enough. If the line is cracked, sagging or deteriorating along its length, full replacement usually costs less over time than repeated spot repairs.
In general, the homeowner is responsible for the private lateral that runs from the house toward the public sewer, while the public portion belongs to the city or county. Exact boundaries vary by jurisdiction, so we can help you sort out which part of the line has the problem.
It depends on the length of pipe, depth, access and what sits above the line, such as a driveway or patio. Many section repairs are completed in a day. We give you a realistic timeline along with the price before we begin.
Any excavation leaves a mark, but locating the problem precisely keeps the trench small. We backfill and restore the area after the work. We will explain what to expect for your specific yard or driveway before we start.
Roots enter through joints and cracks. Replacing the damaged pipe with modern material with tight joints removes their way in. Clearing roots without fixing the pipe helps for a while, but they usually return.
Related services
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A video camera run through the line so we can see breaks, roots, sags and blockages before anyone starts digging.
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High-pressure water jetting that scours grease, scale and roots from the inside of the pipe, not just a hole through the clog.
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Service line leaks, low pressure and aging pipe fixed or replaced, from the meter to the house.
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Request an estimate
Call (443) 630-9804 to book a camera inspection. You get the footage, the options and the price before any digging.
