Camera inspection. Trenchless CIPP lining. Pipe bursting. Root cutting. Lateral replacement. Pacific Line has repaired over 2,800 sewer lines across Los Angeles and San Diego since 2008 — most without disturbing a single blade of grass.
Every sewer line job starts with an HD camera inspection. We see exactly what's happening — root intrusion, offset joints, bellied sections, collapsed pipe — before recommending any repair. Video footage + written report included.
Every sewer line issue falls into one of these categories. The camera inspection tells us which — and determines whether trenchless repair is an option.
Tree roots invade through pipe joints seeking moisture. Common in homes with mature trees, older clay tile pipe, or cast iron with open joints. We cut roots with motorized cable and line the joints with CIPP to prevent regrowth.
Sections of pipe have shifted apart from soil movement, earthquakes, or tree root pressure. Creates a lip that catches debris and causes recurring clogs. Trenchless CIPP lining bridges the gap and seals the joint permanently.
A low spot in the line where wastewater pools instead of flowing. Caused by soil settling or improper original installation. Pipe bursting replaces the entire line at correct slope — trenchless, no digging.
Pre-1970s homes often have clay tile sewer laterals with open mortar joints. These are root magnets and typically need full replacement. Pipe bursting pulls new HDPE through the old clay — preserving your yard.
Cast iron sewer pipe from 1950s–1970s rusts from the inside out, eventually collapsing. Camera inspection shows a "flattened" pipe profile. Pipe bursting is the standard repair — or traditional excavation when access is limited.
Years of accumulated buildup narrowing the pipe. No structural damage — just clogged. Hydro jetting scours the entire pipe wall clean at 4,000 PSI. Usually the least expensive fix.
95% of the sewer lines we repair are fixed trenchlessly. Here's how each method works — and when we recommend each one.
For pipes that are structurally sound but cracked, rooted, or joint-separated. We insert a flexible resin-coated liner into the existing pipe, inflate it against the walls, and cure it with hot water or UV light. The result: a smooth, jointless "pipe within a pipe" that seals every crack and joint from the inside.
For pipes that are collapsed, severely offset, bellied, or too deteriorated to line. We pull a conical bursting head through the old pipe, breaking it apart while simultaneously pulling in a new HDPE pipe behind it. The old pipe is destroyed and replaced with brand-new pipe in one pass.
Not sure which you need? A camera inspection tells us. Book a scope →
San Diego's canyon neighborhoods — North Park, Hillcrest, South Park, Bankers Hill — were built in the 1920s–1940s on steep slopes with clay tile sewer laterals and open mortar joints. Mature trees push roots through every joint, and slope creep causes offsets and bellies that a simple snake can't fix.
Our SD team specializes in trenchless pipe bursting for these exact conditions — replacing decades-old clay tile with new HDPE in 1–2 days, without disturbing the bougainvillea, avocado trees, or canyon-side landscaping your home is known for.
Every sewer line job follows the same diagnostic-first process. No guessing, no unnecessary digging, no surprises in the final invoice.
HD camera inspection of the full lateral — house to city main. We identify the exact issue, location, and severity with video evidence.
We recommend the right method for your specific issue — root cutting, CIPP lining, pipe bursting, or traditional excavation. Flat-rate written quote before any work begins.
We dig only two small access pits (3'x3' each). The repair happens underground — your yard, driveway, and trees stay intact. 1–2 days typical.
Post-repair camera inspection confirms full clearance. You receive a second video, final invoice. Access pits backfilled and restored.
Watch for: multiple drain backups at the same time, gurgling sounds from toilets when other fixtures run, sewer gas smell in your yard or basement, patches of unusually green grass over the sewer line, foundation settling or new cracks, or frequent main line clogs that keep coming back.
If your home is over 40 years old and has never had the sewer line scoped, camera inspection is the right first step — it catches problems before they flood your home.
Trenchless repair fixes or replaces your sewer line without digging a trench across your yard. There are two main methods: CIPP pipe lining (inserting a resin-coated liner that hardens in place, creating a pipe-within-a-pipe) and pipe bursting (pulling a new pipe through the old one while breaking the old pipe apart).
Both require only two small access pits and finish in 1–2 days — preserving your landscaping, driveway, and hardscape.
CIPP lining is for pipes that are structurally sound but have cracks, joint separation, or root intrusion — the liner seals everything from the inside and lasts 50+ years.
Pipe bursting is for pipes that are collapsed, severely offset, or too deteriorated to line — we break the old pipe apart while pulling a new HDPE pipe in its place. We recommend the right method after a camera inspection — no guesswork.
With trenchless repair, no — we dig only two small access pits (about 3'x3' each) at the start and end of the repair section. Your lawn, driveway, patio, and mature trees stay intact.
Traditional excavation is only needed when the pipe is severely collapsed or inaccessible — and even then, we coordinate with landscaping restoration partners to return your yard to its original condition.
Standard California homeowner's policies typically do NOT cover sewer lateral repair — it's considered the homeowner's responsibility from the house to the city main. However, most policies do cover resulting water damage from a sewer backup into the home.
Some insurers offer optional "service line coverage" riders that cover sewer lateral repair. We recommend asking your agent about this rider.
Yes — it's one of the most valuable things you can spend in a home purchase. Standard home inspectors don't scope sewer lines, and sewer lateral replacement in Southern California.
A 30-minute camera inspection catches root intrusion, bellied lines, offset joints, and deteriorating pipes that aren't visible from the surface. We provide a written report with video footage you can use in negotiations.
4,000 PSI water pressure scours the entire pipe wall clean — removes grease, scale, roots, and buildup that snaking alone can't touch.
Learn moreMotorized snaking with HD camera inspection. Kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and main line.
Learn moreElectronic acoustic + thermal imaging pinpoints leaks within inches — no demolition. Slab leaks, pinholes, underground supply lines.
Learn moreWritten by our licensed technicians — the same people who'll show up at your door.
Multiple drain backups. Gurgling toilets. Lawn sinkholes. Sewer gas smell.
Read the guideEverything you need to know about your sewer lateral — what it is, who owns it, how it fails, and what repair actually costs in 2026.
Read the guideSnaking punches a hole. Hydro jetting scours the whole pipe. We break down when each method is appropriate and what each actually costs.
Read the guideCall for same-day dispatch, or submit the form for a scheduled visit within 48 hours.camera inspection, video footage + written report, credited toward repair if you proceed with us.