Sewers
Sewer line repair and replacement in Toronto
The lateral taking all your wastewater out to the City sewer is out of sight until it fails. When it does, you need to know exactly where the damage is and what fixing it involves.
or dial (365) 363-3352Answered day and night
- The basement floor drain or lowest toilet backs up again and again
- Several fixtures drain slowly at the same time
- A sewer smell in the basement or the yard
- Lawn sagging or squishy along the line out to the curb
A price before we startNothing cut or opened until you say yes.
- Licensed & insureddetails confirmed on the call
- Phones answered 24/7a person, not a queue
- Price before we startcall-out rate on the phone
- Old Toronto & East Yorkhouses, condos, businesses
What a sewer line problem looks like
- The basement floor drain or lowest toilet backs up again and again
- Several fixtures drain slowly at the same time
- A sewer smell in the basement or the yard
- Lawn sagging or squishy along the line out to the curb
Signs you need sewer line repair
- Water backs up in the tub when the toilet flushes
- Gurgling from a sink after the washer drains
- Floor drain damp, or giving off a sewer smell
- The same drain needs plunging every few weeks
- Slow drains on more than one fixture
Why Toronto sewer lines fail
Clay or cast iron is what you usually find under houses older than about 1970. Clay comes in short sections, and every joint is a place for roots to get in. Cast iron corrodes from the inside and can crack or flatten over time. Settling soil, vehicles over a driveway and decades of root pressure can push sections out of line, leaving a low spot that holds waste.
Find the problem first
We start with a camera inspection through a cleanout or the floor drain. The camera records the pipe’s condition and the distance to each defect, and a locator on the surface tells us exactly where and how deep it is. You get the video. That’s how we choose between repair options instead of guessing, and it shows whether the damage is on your property or the City’s.
Repair options
| Option | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Spot repair | One damaged section with sound pipe on either side. We dig at that point only. |
| Full replacement | Pipe that is cracked, flattened or rooted along much of its length. The line is replaced with modern PVC. |
| Trenchless lining | Pipe that is still round and in line but leaking or rooted at the joints. A resin liner is cured inside the old pipe with little digging. |
Not every pipe can be lined. Collapsed or badly sagging sections need to be dug up, and we’ll tell you plainly which you have.
Permits and the City connection
Replacing a sewer pipe on private property usually needs a plumbing permit and a City inspection before the trench is backfilled. We look after the permit. If the camera shows damage on the City’s section, under the boulevard or road, the City is responsible for it, and we’ll share the footage you need when you contact 311.
A replacement is also the best time to add a backwater valve, since the pipe is already open.
On the job, step by step
- 1Pull the trap or cleanout
Bucket under it, cap or trap off, standing water bailed first.
- 2Run the right cable
Small drum for sinks and tubs, sectional machine for the stack and lateral.
- 3Camera the line
Push camera fed in after the cable to read joints, roots and belly.
- 4Flush and show you
Hot water run at full flow, footage played back, trap reset with new washers.
Questions we get about sewer line repair
Does home insurance cover sewer line replacement?
Policies differ. Many cover water damage from a sudden backup but not replacing a pipe that has worn out. Some insurers offer a separate service line endorsement. Check your policy and keep the inspection video; insurers often ask for it.
How long does a sewer replacement take?
Most residential replacements take one to three days from digging to backfill, depending on depth, length, permits and the inspection schedule. Drain use is limited while the line is open.
Can tree roots be stopped for good?
In a clay pipe, roots keep finding the joints. Cleaning buys time; lining or replacing the pipe with joint-free material is the permanent fix.
Recurring backups? Call for a camera inspection.
A plumber answers day and night, and the call-out rate is quoted before anyone drives over.