Sewer Line Repair in Phoenix, AZ

Your line, the City's main

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department runs the public sewer system, but the City says property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing the sewer line on their property up to the City main. Condo owners should check with their HOA about shared lines. If sewage is overflowing from a manhole or the street, that is a City matter: report sewer emergencies to the City at 602-261-8000.

Clues that point to the main line

• A toilet bubbles or the tub drain gurgles when the washer empties
• Drains throughout the house slow down together
• Wastewater rises in the shower or tub, the lowest fixtures in many slab homes
• A sewer odor near the cleanout or in the yard
• The line was cleared recently and is backing up again

One slow sink by itself is usually a branch clog, not the main.

Matching the repair to the damage

Planning starts with a camera

A plumber usually clears the line, sends a camera through from the cleanout and records the footage. A handheld locator reads a signal from the camera head so the defect can be marked on the ground along with its depth. That keeps any digging to a single pit when possible, and it gives you video to compare quotes.

Older neighborhoods

The median Phoenix home was built around 1984, so many lines are relatively young. Older central neighborhoods and historic districts can have cast iron drains and older sewer laterals, which are more likely to show cracks and root entry.

Permits and price

City of Phoenix Planning and Development issues plumbing permits, and your plumber should know which apply. Price depends on depth, the length of the bad section, pipe material, whether a liner can be used, and what has to be dug through, such as concrete, pavers or a mature tree.