SEWER LINE REPAIR, LINING & REPLACEMENT
Sewer Line Repair & Trenchless Sewer Lining in Plymouth & the West Metro
A cracked, root-filled or failing sewer line doesn’t always mean digging up your yard. Brass Tacks Plumbing, Heating & Cooling installs trenchless sewer liners that form a new pipe inside your old one, usually through an existing cleanout. You avoid a full replacement, keep your lawn and landscaping, and usually spend far less than a dig-and-replace.
We start with a sewer camera inspection so you can see exactly what’s wrong, then explain your options in plain language: a sewer liner, a spot repair or a replacement. You get an upfront price before any work begins, and financing is available. We repair sewer lines in Plymouth, MN and throughout the Twin Cities West Metro.
Fix Your Sewer Line Without Digging Up Your Yard
Traditional sewer replacement means a trench across your lawn, garden or driveway, plus the cost of putting it all back. For many damaged sewer lines there's a better option: a cured-in-place sewer liner that rehabilitates the pipe from the inside.
How a Trenchless Sewer Liner (CIPP) Works
A sewer liner is a flexible tube saturated with resin. After we camera and clean the line, the liner is pulled or inverted into the old pipe through a cleanout and pressed against the pipe wall. Once the resin cures, you have a smooth, seamless new pipe inside the old one.
Because the liner has no joints, it seals the cracks and loose joints where tree roots and groundwater get in. And because it goes in through a cleanout, there's no trench across your yard.
Not every pipe can be lined. A fully collapsed section or a severe sag may need to be dug up and replaced first. The camera inspection tells us which option fits your line, and we'll show you the footage.
Whether a liner is right depends on the pipe's condition, size and access. We'll explain what the camera shows before recommending anything.
8 Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Repair
Backups That Keep Coming Back
The main line clogs again weeks or months after cleaning, which often points to roots or a damaged pipe.
Tree Roots in the Line
Roots found during cleaning or on camera mean there's an opening in the pipe for them to grow through.
Several Slow Drains at Once
Toilets, tubs and floor drains slowing together suggest a problem in the main sewer, not one fixture.
Sewage in the Floor Drain
Wastewater rising in a basement floor drain is a sign the main line can't carry flow away.
Sewer Odors Indoors or Out
Persistent sewer smells can come from a cracked or separated pipe as well as dry traps or vents.
Soggy Spots or Lush Grass
A wet patch or unusually green strip over the sewer path can mean wastewater is leaking underground.
Water Under the Basement Slab
Water coming up through cracks in the concrete when drains run can mean a broken pipe below the floor.
Old Cast Iron or Clay Pipe
Older homes often still have original cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks, scales and lets roots in.
Cleaning and repair solve different problems. Main sewer drain cleaning and hydro jetting remove roots and buildup, but they can't fix a cracked or broken pipe. Repair or lining is what stops the problem from coming back.
Sewage backing up right now? See our emergency sewer line repair page or call (612) 888-1234.
How We Repair a Sewer Line
Every sewer repair starts with seeing the problem, not guessing at it. Here's what to expect from your first call to the final video of the finished line.
Camera Inspection
We run a sewer camera through the line to find roots, cracks, offset joints or sags, and locate where the problem is.
Clean the Line
If roots or buildup are in the way, we clear the pipe so the camera, and any liner, can do its job.
Options & Upfront Price
We show you the footage and explain your choices, a liner, a spot repair or replacement, with a price before any work begins.
Line or Repair the Pipe
We pull the permit, then install the liner through a cleanout or excavate only where needed. If there's no good access point, we can add a cleanout.
Video Check & Cleanup
We camera the line again to confirm the repair and leave your property the way we found it.
Sewer Liner, Spot Repair or Full Replacement?
The right fix depends on what the camera shows: how much of the pipe is damaged, what it's made of, how deep it is and where it runs. These are the options we'll walk you through.
Trenchless
Sewer Lining (CIPP)
A cured-in-place liner creates a new pipe inside the old one through a cleanout, with no trench across your yard. It's often the most cost-effective way to fix cracks, root intrusion and separated joints.
- Little to no digging
- Seals cracks and root entry points
- Lawn, landscaping and driveway stay intact
- Permit and video included
Sectional
Sewer Repair
When the damage is limited to one spot, such as a broken joint under the floor, we can open just that area, replace the bad section and tie it back into good pipe.
- Fixes one damaged section
- Smaller excavation
- Common under basement floors
- Can add a cleanout at the same time
Full Sewer Line
Replacement
A collapsed pipe, a severe sag or a line that's failing along its whole length may need to be dug up and replaced with new PVC pipe. It's the most expensive option, because you pay for excavation plus restoring the lawn, landscaping, driveway or concrete.
- Collapsed or crushed pipe
- Major sags (bellies) that hold water
- Lines too damaged to line
- Permit and inspection included
Cleanouts &
Future Access
Many older homes have no good sewer cleanout. Adding one makes cleaning, camera inspections and liner installation easier and less invasive.
- New cleanout on the main stack
- Outside cleanout near the street
- Easier future maintenance
- Often added during a repair
Want to avoid digging up your yard? Ask about a sewer liner. We'll camera your line, show you the footage and tell you honestly whether lining will work.
SCHEDULE SEWER REPAIRRecent Sewer Line Repairs by Brass Tacks
Real sewer jobs from our crews, with names and addresses removed. Every one started with finding out exactly what was wrong.
Sewer Liner in a 1941 Home
We excavated the front cleanout and installed a cured-in-place liner from the cleanout out to within 27 feet of the city main, with no trench across the yard.
Sagging Sewer Replaced, Then Lined
A sunken section of the main was holding water. We replaced the line from the stack to the front cleanout, and the homeowner added a liner from the cleanout to the street.
Cast Iron Sewer Under the Garage
In a 1972 home, the cast iron sewer under the garage and through the foundation was in poor shape. We replaced it with PVC and added cleanouts inside and at the street for future liner access.
Broken Cast Iron Under the Floor
We broke out the concrete, cut out a broken section of 4-inch cast iron sewer, replaced it with PVC and extended a new cleanout to just above the floor.
Main Backing Up, No Cleanout
A 1907 home's main was backing up into the basement. We cut a new 4-inch cleanout into the stack, cleared the line and checked it with a camera.
Water Coming Up Through the Slab
Water was bubbling through basement concrete when the laundry ran. We cleared the line and found the pipe under the slab needs replacing.
Schedule a visit with Brass Tacks Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We'll inspect the line, explain what we find and give you an upfront price for the fix.
Financing for Sewer Line Repair & Sewer Liners
A failing sewer line is rarely in the budget. Brass Tacks offers financing through GreenSky, so you can fix the problem now and pay over time, subject to credit approval. Financing may be available for sewer liners, sewer line repair and replacement, cleanout installation and other larger plumbing projects.
Ask about financing when you schedule. Terms are set by the lender and depend on credit approval. Built to Last members also save 10% on repairs. See the membership.
Sewer Line Repair & Sewer Liner FAQs
Answers to the questions homeowners ask most about sewer liners, trenchless repair, replacement and cost.
What is a sewer liner?
A sewer liner, also called cured-in-place pipe or CIPP, is a resin-saturated tube installed inside your existing sewer pipe. Once the resin cures, it forms a smooth, seamless new pipe within the old one. It seals cracks and joints without digging a trench across your yard.
How does trenchless sewer repair work without digging up my yard?
We camera and clean the line, then pull or invert the liner into the pipe through an existing cleanout or a small access point. The liner is pressed against the old pipe wall and cured in place. Most of your lawn, landscaping and driveway are never touched. If there's no cleanout, we may need to add one first.
Is a sewer liner cheaper than replacing the sewer line?
Usually, yes. Recent residential sewer liners we've installed have run about $5,000 to $8,500, depending on the length of the line and how we can access it. A full dig-and-replace typically costs considerably more, because it adds excavation and the cost of restoring your lawn, landscaping, driveway or concrete, which is often billed separately on top of the plumbing work. We give you an upfront price after the camera inspection, and financing is available.
Is sewer pipe lining a temporary or permanent fix?
Sewer lining is a long-term repair, not a patch. The cured liner becomes a new structural pipe inside the old one, sealing cracks and joints along its full length. Its lifespan depends on the liner system and how it's installed, and we'll go over the warranty and manufacturer terms with your estimate.
Can every sewer pipe be lined?
No. Lining works well for cracked, corroded or root-damaged pipe that still holds its shape. A fully collapsed section, a severe sag that holds water, or a line that's badly out of alignment may need to be excavated and replaced. A camera inspection tells us which option fits your line.
Will a sewer liner stop tree roots?
Roots get into sewer pipes through cracks and loose joints. A liner creates a continuous pipe with no joints for roots to grow through, which is why it's a good fit for lines that keep filling with roots. We clear the existing roots before the liner goes in.
Do you need a permit to line or repair a sewer line?
Sewer repair and lining work typically requires a plumbing permit from your city. Brass Tacks pulls the permit for the work we do, so you don't have to.
How do I know if my sewer line needs repair instead of cleaning?
If your main line keeps clogging after cleaning, has roots coming back, or a camera shows cracks, breaks, separated joints or sags, cleaning alone won't fix it. Main sewer drain cleaning removes the blockage, while repair or lining fixes the pipe itself.
Should I replace my sewer line or use a liner?
If the camera shows cracks, root intrusion, corrosion or separated joints but the pipe still holds its shape, a liner is usually the better value: it fixes the whole run without a trench. If the pipe has collapsed, has a severe sag or is badly misaligned, replacement or a spot repair of that section is the right call. We'll show you the footage and explain why we recommend one over the other.
What is a spot repair?
A spot repair replaces just one damaged section of sewer pipe, such as a broken joint under a basement floor. We open only the area around the damage, replace that section with new pipe and connect it back to the good pipe on either side.
When does a sewer line need full replacement?
Full replacement makes sense when the pipe has collapsed, has a severe sag that holds wastewater, or is failing along most of its length. In those cases a liner can't fix the problem, and new pipe is the lasting solution.
What problems are common with old clay and cast iron sewer pipes?
Clay sewer pipe tends to crack and separate at its joints, which lets tree roots in. Cast iron corrodes and scales on the inside over time, which narrows the pipe and catches debris, and it can crack or rot through. Both are common in older West Metro homes and are often good candidates for a liner.
How do I find my sewer cleanout?
Look for a capped pipe, usually 3 or 4 inches, on or near the main drain stack in the basement, or near the foundation where the sewer leaves the house. Some homes also have an outdoor cleanout near the street. Many older homes don't have one at all, and we can add one to make cleaning, inspections and lining easier.
Who is responsible for the sewer line, me or the city?
In most Twin Cities communities, the homeowner owns the sewer service line from the house to the city main. In Minneapolis, for example, the city says you own the line all the way to the main, including the connection under the street. Check with your city if you're unsure. We can camera the line to show where a problem is.
Do you camera the sewer line before recommending a repair?
Yes. We run a camera through the line first so we can see what's wrong and where. We'll show you the footage and explain your options before you decide.
How much does sewer line repair cost?
It depends on the problem, the length and depth of the pipe and how we can reach it. Recent residential sewer liners have run about $5,000 to $8,500. A full dig-and-replace is typically much more expensive, since excavation is involved and restoring concrete, lawn or landscaping is usually an extra cost. Spot repairs fall in between and depend on where the damage is. We give you an upfront price after the camera inspection, before any work begins.
Do you offer financing for sewer repair?
Yes. Financing through GreenSky may be available for sewer liners, sewer line repair and replacement, subject to credit approval. See our financing page.
What should I do if sewage is backing up right now?
Stop running water in the house, keep people and pets away from the backup and call (612) 888-1234. See our emergency sewer line repair page for what to do first.
Do you repair sewer lines in my area?
Yes. Brass Tacks repairs and lines sewer lines in Plymouth, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Medina, Orono and the surrounding Twin Cities West Metro. Learn more about our Plymouth plumbing services.
Fix Your Sewer Line the Smart Way
Recurring backups, roots or a cracked sewer pipe don't have to mean a torn-up yard. We'll camera the line, explain whether a liner, spot repair or replacement makes sense, and give you an upfront price before work begins.
Sewer line repair and trenchless sewer lining in Plymouth, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Medina, Orono and surrounding Twin Cities West Metro communities.