Drain repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What drain repair is

Drain repair fixes drain pipes that are cracked, sagging, corroded or separated, so water flows out instead of pooling in the line. People usually need it after repeated clogs, a gurgling drain, or a wet spot in the floor or yard.

Signs you need it

  • Drains clog again within days of being cleared, which can mean a sag is holding waste in the pipe
  • A sewer smell near a floor drain or a fixture that is rarely used
  • A soggy spot or unusually green strip of lawn above a buried drain line
  • Water stains or soft drywall under a sink, shower or tub, which can mean a joint has separated
  • Visible corrosion, pitting or a crack on exposed pipe in a crawl space, basement or utility room

What the pro does

  • Pull the trap and inspect the first accessible joint for corrosion, looseness or a crack
  • Run a camera down the line to find the location and depth of the failure and check the slope of the run
  • Mark the damaged section and pick the repair route, including any cleanout or access point that has to be added
  • Cut out the damaged pipe and fit new pipe with the correct fittings, such as PVC or ABS, or no-hub couplings where the old line is cast iron
  • Test the repaired run with water and confirm the slope carries waste to the outlet without standing water
  • Restore the wall, floor or yard access and give the customer the camera footage with the repair location

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Depth of the pipe and whether it sits under a slab, a finished floor or a patio
  • Pipe material: old cast iron, clay and orangeburg each need different fittings and methods than PVC or ABS
  • Length of the damaged run and how many fittings it takes to reach sound pipe
  • Access: a crawl space, a basement, or a wall that has to be opened
  • Whether a cleanout must be added or moved to reach the damage
  • Finish work needed after the repair, such as concrete, drywall, tile or landscaping

What a written quote should spell out

  • Location and cause of the damage, supported by camera footage or photos from the access point
  • Pipe material and the joining method, such as solvent-welded PVC, ABS, or no-hub couplings
  • Length of pipe to be replaced and the route it will take
  • Whether a cleanout is added or relocated, and how the access will be restored
  • Who handles the finish work and what is left for the customer to do

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the existing pipe material, and where will the new pipe switch to a different material?
  • Do you run a camera before and after the repair to confirm the slope?
  • Where will the access point be, and who restores the floor, drywall or yard?
  • Is the damage limited to this run, or is the rest of the line in similar condition?
  • If the pipe is under a slab, will you dig, line the pipe, or use another method, and why?
  • Can I see the camera footage at the failure spot?

Red flags

  • Pro who recommends a full re-pipe without a camera check that shows the rest of the line is failing
  • Quote that does not name the pipe material, the route or the length of the repair
  • Pro who patches a corroded section with tape or a sleeve on a drain line that is failing throughout
  • Pro who will not show or explain the camera footage

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can inspect a visible trap or joint under a sink and tighten a loose slip nut by hand. Call a pro for any buried or underslab pipe, any sagging run, or any damage that needs cutting, since drain lines depend on a steady slope and a wrong slope brings the clog back.

Licenses and permits

Drain repair on a building's drain system is commonly done by licensed plumbers, and drain line work often falls under plumbing rules that require a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency about what applies to your job.

Drain repair questions

How can I tell a sagging drain from a clog?

A clog clears with a cable and stays clear for a long time. A sag tends to clog again and again, and a camera shows the low spot where water and solids pool.

Do I have to dig up the yard to fix a drain?

Not always. Some breaks can be reached from a cleanout or repaired with a trenchless method, but breaks and sags in the lower part of a line often need an open trench.

Can a cracked drain pipe be patched?

A small crack can sometimes be sealed, but a pipe that is corroded or sagged across a span will not hold a patch for long. Ask the pro why they chose a patch or a replacement.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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