Sewer Repairs in Seattle

Sewer lines are built for resilience and longevity. Depending on how your house is constructed, your sewer line can be positioned across the yard, under the house, or beneath the slab foundation. Additionally, your sewer line may be installed in different ways. Over time, it receives all the wastewater from your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room. This wastewater carries grease, soap buildup, debris, and hair, which can accumulate in the line. Obstructions in your sewer line can cause damage and other issues, including clogging.

Proper cleanouts prevent long-term damage, but it may still crack or leak over time. In this instance, you can engage two types of repair services. You can either have a professional repair company dig around to repair it or choose a trenchless sewer line repair. The plumbers at Ben’s Plumbing have the credentials and expertise to repair cracked and broken sewer lines. In our initial inspection, we will often conduct a video inspection using a video camera to see the extent of the damage and the repair required to the sewer line.

Trenchless Sewer Repair: Pipe Bursting & Relining (CIPP)

Traditional sewer repair often involves extensive excavation, leading to property damage and high labor costs. Modern trenchless techniques offer a minimally invasive alternative, restoring pipes without disrupting landscaping or driveways.

Pipe Bursting Repair

The available options usually involve replacement in the trenchless method of repairing a broken or cracked pipe.

The pipe-bursting sewer repair method bursts the existing and broken pipe by inserting a cone head with a new HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic line. The cone bursts the existing pipe as it replaces the new one. This involves minimal digging at the entry and exit points of the sewer line, which are later backfilled at the end of the process. This method is highly efficient for replacing old, deteriorated pipes without the need for extensive excavation.

It is commonly used for sewer lines made of clay, cast iron, or other brittle materials prone to cracking.

The new HDPE pipe is seamless and resistant to corrosion, ensuring long-term durability and improved flow capacity. Additionally, pipe bursting can be completed relatively quickly, minimizing disruption to landscaping, driveways, and other surface structures.

Pipe Lining (CIPP) Repair

This is another way to repair a broken or cracked trenchless sewer line.

This particular method does not require any bursting of the existing line. Instead, a new lining called the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is inserted, inflate and cured inside the old pipes. This CIPP can extend the life of the otherwise broken or cracked pipes and restore their proper functioning.

The epoxy resin used in the CIPP process hardens to form a seamless, joint-free pipe within the existing structure, preventing future leaks and root intrusion. This method is ideal for repairing pipes with minor cracks, corrosion, or structural weaknesses without the need for excavation.

The newly lined pipe is highly durable, resistant to chemicals, and has a smooth interior surface that improves water flow.

Additionally, CIPP repair is a cost-effective and long-lasting solution, often extending the lifespan of sewer pipes by several decades.

Choosing the right method depends on the extent of damage, pipe material, and system condition. A professional inspection helps determine the most effective approach for long-term durability. At Ben’s Plumbing, we have over 25 years of experience helping greater Seattle and Eastside areas with trenchless sewer repair.

Clogged sewer lines require effective cleaning methods to ensure proper drainage. Two commonly used techniques—snaking and hydro jetting—offer different levels of effectiveness.

• Snaking, also known as drain augering, involves inserting a flexible metal cable with a cutting head into the pipe. This method punctures blockages, allowing some water to pass through, but it does not remove buildup completely. Partial obstructions often remain, leading to recurring clogs.
• Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water streams to break apart grease, mineral deposits, and tree roots, flushing debris out of the system entirely. Unlike snaking, which only creates an opening, this process scours the inner walls of pipes, restoring them to near-original condition.

For minor blockages, snaking may provide a temporary fix. Hydro jetting is the preferred solution for severe buildup, prevention of future clogs. The significant advantage of hydro jetting over snaking is its preventive capability.

Regular hydro jetting can reduce the frequency of plumbing emergencies by thoroughly eliminating buildup before it becomes problematic. Conversely, snaking addresses only immediate blockages without tackling underlying issues, often resulting in higher long-term maintenance costs and inconvenience. For lasting pipe health and fewer service disruptions, hydro jetting is typically the more cost-effective and reliable choice.

Hydro Jetting Services

A neglected sewer line accumulates debris over time, causing slow drainage, frequent backups, and unpleasant odors. Homeowners may notice standing water in sinks, gurgling noises from pipes, or foul smells near drains—clear signs of a blockage restricting wastewater flow.

Once hydro jetting is performed, the difference is immediate. High-pressure water clears years of accumulated waste, grease, and invasive root growth, leaving the pipe walls clean and free of obstructions.

With proper flow restored, backups and odors disappear, significantly reducing the need for frequent maintenance.

This deep-cleaning process not only improves drainage efficiency but also prolongs the life of sewer lines, preventing costly repairs in the future.

The sewer line can experience considerable wear and tear over time. It can become damaged beyond repair and require a total replacement. Replacement is a disruptive process requiring extensive planning before starting. Listed below are some steps involved in replacing:

Sewer line plumbing problems are inconvenient to a homeowner or business. Here are some common problems home or business owners may face:

If you are experiencing any plumbing problems, call us, and our professional team of licensed plumbers and technicians will help you.

Average Figures for Sewer Repair in Seattle

It is a known fact that a sewer line repair or replacement is an extensive and expensive process.

Ben’s Plumbing is ready to be your plumbing partner who can inspect your sewer line regularly and detect damages before they escalate. As a trusted plumbing contractor in the greater Seattle and Easide communities, our technicians have been diagnosing problems for decades. Here is a snapshot of costs depending on the kind of damage your line has incurred:

*These figures are based on multiple sources, including Forbes, Homeguide, and Angi

A failing sewer line often leads to slow drainage, foul odors, and unexpected water pooling around the property. These issues can disrupt daily life and cause costly damage if not addressed in time. Before repairs, cracks, leaks, and clogs limit system performance, creating unsanitary conditions. After professional restoration, water flows smoothly, and pipes regain full functionality. Modern repair techniques extend system longevity, preventing recurring issues and saving money in the long run. Investing in timely maintenance ensures a cleaner, more efficient drainage system.