Precision Plumbing Services
Sewer Line Replacement
in Eugene, OR
Expert plumbing solutions in Eugene, OR for sewer line repair & replacement.
We offer trenchless drain cleaning, rooter service, and more.
Emergency service, same day, within business hours · Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · CCB #234073
The short answer
There is nothing more aggravating than a clogged drain. But a compromised sewer line is an altogether different matter. Once the main pipe that serves your home starts to separate, collapse, or give way to an infestation of tree roots, you will find that a standard drain cleaning is little more than a stopgap measure.
At Precision Plumbing, we handle sewer line replacement, as well as repair, trenchless solutions, camera work, and routine drain cleaning. We do not put forward a full replacement as the answer to every sewer backup. Our approach is to get to the bottom of what is going on underground and prescribe the solution that fits the pipe’s condition. In Eugene, with its older stock of homes, wet winters, and aging infrastructure, that kind of discernment is important.
The building sewer, or lateral, is what conveys wastewater from your plumbing to the public main. Damage there can manifest in all sorts of ways around the house. Some of the telltale signs we see are:
01
Clogs that come back time and again
02
Drains running slow
03
Sewage making its way back up through a floor or tub drain
04
An odd sewer smell inside or out
05
Patches of uncharacteristically green lawn over the line
06
Root intrusion, corrosion, or a pipe that has given way
A single clog might be nothing for a local plumber to clear. But when multiple drains start to misbehave at once, the trouble is likely deeper in the system.
Why Our Sewer Lines Are a Challenge
You have to take the climate into account here. From early October to mid-May, the area sees some 90 percent of its annual rainfall. While the hills nearby may get more than their share, Eugene proper gets about 40 to 50 inches of precipitation a year.
Rain will not ruin a sound sewer system, but it has a way of revealing what is already weak. Water can make its way in through open joints, a broken lateral or a damaged cleanout and put extra pressure on the pipes. Then there is the matter of tree roots. In a city with so much mature landscaping and established neighborhoods, root intrusion is a given. A root will not typically force its way through a watertight pipe, but if there is a loose connection or a crack, it will go in and grow. You can hydro jet the roots out and get flow back, but without fixing the opening they came in through, the issue will be back.
Older Properties
Our city is home to its fair share of historic properties, from bungalows to Craftsman style. The fact that a private sewer line is old does not in itself call for a replacement, though one should pay closer attention if problems are recurring. Public wastewater pipes in the city can be close to a century old, which speaks to the longevity of the local system, but it says nothing about the state of a particular home’s lateral. An inspection is called for before one makes any assumptions.
Diagnosis Before Replacement
Any professional repair should start with a diagnosis. We use locating equipment and a sewer camera to see exactly where a problem lies and how deep it is. The camera will reveal everything from buildup and separated joints to a collapsed section.
For those who have had to call for a rooter or drain service on the same line more than once, a camera job is especially useful. It will show whether the fix requires a new cleanout, some trenchless lining, or perhaps a full replacement. After all, removing a clog is not the same as curing what caused it.
Trenchless Sewer Repair or the Old-Fashioned Way?
When it comes to sewer line replacement, there is no one-size-fits-all for every home.
The traditional approach is to excavate and put in a new pipe where the damage is. For a shallow sewer in an area you can get to easily, that is often the most practical way to go. But some properties present more of a challenge. You may have a line running under costly hardscaping or landscaping, or somewhere where major digging would be a nuisance. In such cases, trenchless methods are worth a look.
Precision Plumbing provides trenchless pipe lining for qualifying pipes. The process puts a new, unbroken surface inside the old one so a damaged line can be put right without having to dig up the whole route. That said, trenchless is not always the answer; a badly collapsed sewer or other structural issues will still call for excavation. It is best to weigh the cost, depth, access, and condition of the pipe before making a call.
Eugene Ground Conditions and Sewer Replacement
The terrain in the Eugene-Springfield metro area is as varied as the geography. We are at the junction of the Willamette Valley, Coast Range, and Western Cascades. While much of the city is on the alluvial plains of the Willamette and McKenzie rivers, you will find volcanic and sedimentary ground in the surrounding areas.
Consequently, two projects a few miles from each other can have entirely different requirements for access and excavation. We take into account the slope, the existing sewer’s path, nearby structures, and any landscaping. The line should be properly located so we can plan the work around what is actually there on the property, not on guesswork.
Then there is the matter of our wet winters. A long rainy season is reason enough to see a damaged sewer. Open joints and cracks in private laterals let stormwater and groundwater into the collection system. Since the property owner is responsible for the private lateral, a watertight line is important not just to avoid a backup in the house but to keep superfluous water out of the wider wastewater system.
We like to think there is a reason people make Eugene their home. You get a real city here with the natural Oregon side intact. Take Skinner Butte Park, for instance. Just north of downtown on the Willamette, the 100-acre park has everything from hiking and climbing to good views over the city. With the river paths, the tree-lined streets, and the character of our dry summers and familiar rainy winters, it is hard to put a price on it. Those mature trees and the rain do give homeowners cause to watch their aging sewer lines, though.
Some Questions That Come Up Frequently
Is a clogged drain a sure sign of a damaged line? Not necessarily. Most can be put right with a standard cleaning. But if you are seeing sewage backups or recurring clogs on the mainline, an inspection is in order.
What about tree roots? In many instances, hydro jetting or a good drain cleaning will clear the intrusion and open up the pipe. If they are coming in through a crack or broken joint, however, you may need to make a repair to prevent it from happening again.
Can you replace a line without turning the yard over? At times, yes. Trenchless lining is a less invasive option if the pipe is in shape for it. Otherwise, open excavation is called for. And as for responsibility, the private lateral to your home or business is the owner’s responsibility.
Do not make a habit of repeated drain cleaning for a broken sewer. An experienced plumber can tell you if full replacement or a trenchless solution is the way to go for a long-term fix. Whether it is for camera inspections, root removal, or something else, give Precision Plumbing a call for your residential or commercial plumbing needs.
Reviews
What customers say about Sewer Line Replacement
Real 5-star Google reviews from Precision Plumbing customers.
★★★★★
We have worked with Precision Plumbing on numerous projects over the years and they are our “go-to plumbers” for any/all projects . No issues. great communication and zero complaints from our clients. highly recommend.
Austin Kocian, Balanced Home Improvement LLC · via Google
★★★★★
I had an apparent water leak outside near my back door, the water meter indicated a 10 gal/hour leak. Montana with Precision Plumbing arrived within an hour of my call. He immediately noticed a hose bibb 20 feet away leaking a slow, steady stream. The water had run underground, under a concrete slab and surfaced 20 feet away. Tightened down the hose bibb handle and verified the leak had stopped by checking the water meter. Thanks Precision, I’ll definitely use you in the future.
John Sisk · via Google
★★★★★
Roy from Precision Plumbing came and fixed leaks and clogs in multiple places quickly and efficiently. He was professional and did a great job. I will always call Precision Plumbing for my plumbing needs.
Tamara Harris · via Google
★★★★★
Friendly, professional, did a great job re-lining our sewer so that we didn’t have to dig up the yard and remove our nice cedar tree. Cleaned up everything so you couldn’t tell anything happened. Enjoyed working with Precision.
Lee Boutell · via Google
★★★★★
Highly skilled crew used great care (avoiding a tree removal!) while completing a sewer line repair in a delicate spot with nearly no disruption to our daily activities. We will absolutely trust Precision Plumbing for any future plumbing needs.
Melissa Brennan · via Google
★★★★★
As an owner of a local restoration company, it’s great to have a reliable plumber to turn to when we encounter leaks and broken pipes. I’ve also used Precision Plumbing at my own home. Evan has built a really great team and you can rest assured that the plumbers that come arrive when they tell you they will, are reliable, and are fairly priced. Great working with y’all
Dan Atchison · via Google
★★★★★
We couldn’t be more pleased with the work done by Precision Plumbing! Our technician, Roy, was efficient, professional and friendly! We had a faucet replaced and he took extra care to check for leaks and said we could call if we had any concerns. Clogged drain was cleared as well! Very pleased with the cost of the service.
Al Villanueva · via Google
★★★★★
Joshua was very professional & knowledgeable! He explained things well and left the area clean & drain flowing well! Will definitely call them if I have plumbing issues again!
Theresa Scholz · via Google
★★★★★
Professional, efficient, and pricing fair! Josh was a pleasure to work with. Not only fixed my leak, but educated me on my house. Thank you!
Anastassia Cardona · via Google
Related Work
Or see photographs from our own job sites — trenches, crawl spaces, and the parts of the job nobody photographs for a brochure.
Trenchless Sewer Repair
Repair the sewer line beneath your home without turning the yard into a construction site.
Sewer Line Repair
Clear diagnosis and durable sewer line repairs for homes across Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County.
Water Line Replacement
Replace a failing water service line with a durable solution, from trenching to trenchless pipe boring.
Coverage Area
Serving Eugene, Springfield & Lane County
Eight communities, one crew, serving Lane County from Eugene, OR 97404. Every city on the map is somewhere we work weekly — pick one to see the housing stock we run into there.
On the edge of the map, or just outside it? Call and ask — coverage decisions here are made by a person, not a ZIP-code list: (541) 636-4725
On the Job
Real Work From Our Crew
Photos from our own job sites across Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County — not stock images.
The right plumber does make a difference.
Don't put off today what can become a bigger, more expensive issue down the road. Send us the short version and we will call you back.
Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · Emergency service, same day, within business hours · CCB #234073
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