Sewer & Water Line FAQ

Watch for slow drains in more than one fixture, gurgling toilets and a sewage smell indoors or in the yard. Backups in the basement floor drain and a soggy spot or extra-green strip of lawn are also common. When several fixtures act up at once, the problem is usually in the main sewer line, not one drain.

The floor drain is usually the lowest opening in the house. When the sewer line is blocked downstream, water backs up and comes out there first. Roots, a belly or a broken section in the lateral are the usual causes. Stop using water until the line is cleared, or the next load of laundry ends up on the floor.

Age and pipe material are the big ones. Clay joints let roots in, Orangeburg flattens, and cast iron corrodes from the inside. Expansive clay soil, settling and tree roots then shift, sag or crack the pipe over time. Heavy loads over a shallow line, like a driveway, can speed things up.

Stop running water and don’t flush anything, since every gallon has nowhere to go. Keep kids and pets away from any sewage, and don’t try to clean up a large spill without gloves. Skip chemical drain cleaners, which rarely clear a main line and leave caustic water behind. Then call us at 303-288-0039.

A sewer scope is a video inspection of your sewer line. We push a camera through the pipe and watch for roots, cracks, bellies and breaks. Our sewer scope costs $99. See sewer camera inspections for details.

It shows the pipe material, its condition and where problems are along the line. Common findings include root intrusion, offset joints, bellies, scale in cast iron and cracked or collapsed sections. The video lets you see the problem for yourself, which helps you understand why we recommend a certain fix. It also tells you whether a simple cleaning will do or the pipe itself needs work.

A clean-out is the easiest way in, because it gives the camera a straight shot into the line. Without one, we look for another access point. If your home has no clean-out, adding one makes future inspections and cleaning simpler; see clean-out installation.

Yes, especially for older homes with clay, cast iron or Orangeburg pipe. A standard home inspection doesn’t look inside the sewer line. A scope before your objection deadline gives you time to get a written bid and negotiate if it finds a problem. Agents can see how we help on our realtors page.

If the camera shows one damaged section in otherwise sound pipe, a spot repair usually makes sense. If it shows problems along the whole line, or Orangeburg or badly rooted clay, replacement is the better long-term fix. We show you the video and explain the tradeoff before you decide.

Pipe bursting is a trenchless method. We pull new pipe through the old line, breaking the old pipe outward, with a pit at each end instead of a full trench. It works well under driveways, trees and landscaping, but deep bellies or slope problems often need an open trench. Learn more about pipe bursting.

No, Go Direct does not offer lining. We repair or replace sewer lines with new pipe, by open trench, pipe bursting or a spot repair. New pipe lets us correct problems like bellies and offset joints instead of lining over them.

Not always. Pipe bursting and spot repairs need only small pits, while an open trench follows the whole line. Which method fits depends on the pipe’s depth, slope and what’s above it. If concrete has to come out, our sister company Stone & Concrete handles concrete restoration.

Yes. We repair and replace interior, basement and crawlspace sewer lines, including old cast iron under the slab. Warning signs include a sewer smell in the basement, slow floor drains or damp spots on the floor. See basement cast iron sewer repair for how that work goes.

We do tap repairs where your line connects to the main in the street or alley. That work usually involves cutting pavement, traffic control and city permits. See sewer tap repair.

Full exterior sewer line replacement typically runs $9,600–$17,750, with a median of $12,400. That’s the typical range from recent Go Direct jobs. Your price depends on what the camera shows; every estimate is free and in writing. See sewer line replacement cost in Denver for what drives the number.

Typical ranges from recent Go Direct jobs: spot repairs $4,560–$6,500 and interior or crawlspace sewer work $4,400–$9,265. Pipe bursting varies with length; recent jobs ran $9,600 to $22,500, depending mostly on how long the run is and how deep it sits. Your price depends on what the camera shows; every estimate is free and in writing.

Street and alley tap work often runs into five figures due to street cuts, traffic control and permits. The digging is deeper, and the pavement has to be restored to city standards. Your price depends on what the camera shows; every estimate is free and in writing.

Yes, two ways. Our in-house plan offers 0% for up to 12 months with 20% down, no credit check and autopay, on qualifying jobs. For larger jobs, Wisetack offers monthly payments, subject to credit approval. See financing.

Full sewer line replacements carry a 20-year warranty, pipe bursting carries 10 years, and spot repairs carry 3–5 years. Our warranties transfer to a new owner if you sell the home. That adds value when it’s time to list, and it gives buyers peace of mind.

Look for a soggy spot in the yard that never dries, a sudden jump in your water bill or a drop in water pressure. If your meter keeps moving with every tap and appliance off, water is leaking somewhere. Hissing near the curb stop or where the line enters the house is another clue.

Water line or service replacement typically runs $4,650–$10,500, with a median of $6,500. That’s the typical range from recent Go Direct jobs. Your price depends on the length of the line, depth and what sits on top of it; every estimate is free and in writing. See water line repair and replacement.

It can be, since older galvanized steel pipe rusts from the inside and narrows until less water gets through. A leak in the service line can also cut pressure. If pressure is low at every fixture, the service line is a likely suspect. If it’s low at only one, the problem is usually closer to that fixture.

We do exploratory leak excavation, digging where the evidence points rather than trenching the whole line. Soggy ground, sinking soil and pressure readings help narrow it down. If the line is old and failing in several places, replacing it may make more sense than chasing leaks.

Drain cleaning uses a cable to punch through a clog and get water moving again; ours costs $280. Hydro jetting sprays high-pressure water to scour roots, grease and buildup off the pipe walls; it costs about $1,000. Jetting cleans the whole pipe, which helps when clogs keep coming back. See drain cleaning and hydro jetting.

Clearing a clog treats the symptom, not the cause. Roots grow back, bellies keep collecting waste, and offset joints keep catching paper. A camera inspection shows what’s causing the repeat clogs so you can fix it once.

Jetting is safe on sound pipe. On badly cracked, collapsed or Orangeburg pipe, the problem is the pipe itself, and cleaning won’t fix it. That’s why a camera look first makes sense on older lines.

They rarely clear a main line clog, and they won’t remove roots. They can also harm older pipe and leave caustic water sitting in the line. A cable or jetter is a safer way to clear the line. If you’ve already poured chemicals in, tell us before we start so our crew can work safely.

Click any Book Now button on our site to pick a time online. You can also call 303-288-0039 or email info@godirectservices.com. Estimates for repair and replacement are free and in writing.

Most sewer and water line replacements need a city or county permit and an inspection before the trench is filled. Requirements differ from city to city, and some jobs in the street need extra permits for the right-of-way. We’ll go over what your job needs when we give you the estimate.

While the sewer line is open, you can’t run drains or flush toilets. Water line work means the water is off for part of the job. We’ll tell you what to plan for before we start, so you can schedule laundry, showers and dishes around the work.

We serve the Denver metro area from our office in Commerce City. That includes Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, Centennial, Arvada, Thornton, Westminster, Parker and more. See our full list of service areas.

Yes. We handle camera inspections, drain cleaning, repairs and replacements for rental and managed properties. Written estimates make it easier to get owner approval, and camera video shows the owner exactly why the work is needed. See our page for property managers.

We provide fast written bids, typically in 24–48 hours, so you can meet objection deadlines. Agents can learn more on our realtors page.

Yes. For home sales, payment at closing is available, so the repair doesn’t hold up the deal. Sellers don’t have to come up with cash before they’ve sold the house.

Yes, our warranties are transferable to a new owner. After the repair, we provide camera video of the finished work for the buyer’s records. That gives everyone at the closing table proof the line was fixed.