If sewage is backing into the house, stop using water
A damaged sewer line does not clear with a cable. The water has nowhere to go, so stop running sinks, showers, the washer and the dishwasher until a plumber has looked at the line. Keep children and pets out of any area where wastewater has come up.
Call and tell us where the water is showing and whether a cleanout is visible outside. We can often get the line draining that night, then use a camera to see what failed.
Signs the pipe itself is failing
A blocked line and a broken line can look the same at first. These details separate them.
Backups that return after cleaning
If a drain is cleared and slows down again within weeks, the pipe may have a belly or an open joint that keeps catching debris.
Sewage smell in the yard
A damp, foul-smelling patch of lawn or a sunken spot over the line can mean a leak in the pipe.
Multiple fixtures gurgling
Air is being pushed back through the traps because water cannot clear the main.
Cracks or roots on camera
The camera is the only way to see inside the buried pipe and decide between repair options.
From diagnosis to a repaired line
- 1
Restore flow
We get the line draining first, so the emergency ends and the home is usable.
- 2
Camera the full run
The footage shows the damaged section, its depth and where it sits in relation to the cleanout and the street.
- 3
Choose the repair
We explain the options that fit what the camera shows and give you a price before work starts.
- 4
Repair and verify
After the repair we run water through the line and confirm it flows freely.
Repair options compared
The right option depends on the type of damage, the depth and what is on top of the pipe.
| Option | Fits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | One cracked or offset section | Digging is limited, but it only fixes the damaged part. |
| Pipe lining | Long runs with small cracks or open joints | Less digging, but the pipe needs to be cleaned and round enough to line. |
| Full replacement | Collapsed, badly rooted or very old pipe | More disruption, but a new line that should not fail for decades. |
Because a line must be clear before a camera or liner can pass through, many repairs begin with sewer line cleaning.
Smell sewage or see backup?
Call now. We will tell you what to stop using and what to look for while help is on the way.
What affects the cost of sewer repair
Sewer work varies a lot from one yard to the next, so we do not quote by phone without seeing the line.
Who owns what in Bothell
Sewer service in Bothell comes from the City of Bothell or Northshore Utility District, depending on the address. Both connect to the King County regional system. The pipe from your house to the connection is generally your responsibility, so check the service map for your street if you are unsure.
Many Bothell homes date from the decades after 1950, and older lateral materials such as clay or Orangeburg can fail near joints. Ask the Bothell Permit Center whether your repair needs a permit before work starts. We can tell you what we have to file.
Sewer repairs follow the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with Washington amendments in WAC 51-56, which covers pipe material, slope and cleanouts.
Sewer line repair questions
Yes. We take emergency calls 24 hours a day, every day. Call (425) 845-0257, describe where the water is showing and we will help you decide what to do while a plumber heads your way.
We use a sewer camera. A video of the pipe shows cracks, roots, offsets and low spots, so you can see what we see before you approve any repair.
No. Lining and some spot repairs need little digging. A collapsed or badly misaligned pipe usually does need excavation. The camera footage decides which option fits.
Property owners are generally responsible for the lateral on their side. Check with the utility serving your street and with your insurance policy before you decide.
Roots can be cut or jetted out, but they return if the entry point stays open. Lining or a spot repair can seal that opening. See hydro jetting for cleaning.
A cleaning and camera run happen on the same visit. A spot repair or lining can take a day or less. Full replacement takes longer. We tell you after we see the line.