A sewer backup that returns means the pipe is damaged
A clean cable pass usually ends a simple clog. If the backup returns within days or weeks, the pipe itself is often the cause. Roots pushing through a joint, a section that has settled and holds water in a low spot, or a crack that lets soil wash in will all keep blocking the line.
This is why a camera inspection comes before any repair estimate. The camera shows the location, the depth and the type of damage, which decides whether the fix is a spot repair or a longer run of new pipe. Compare this with plain sewer line cleaning, which clears the flow but does not mend the pipe.
Signs the sewer pipe, not a clog, is the issue
Repeated backups
Cleared twice in a year and blocked again. The cause is still in the pipe.
Wet or sunken patch in the yard
Waste water seeping from a break softens the ground above it and can leave a dip.
Sewer smell outdoors
A steady odor near a patch of lawn can mean a leak in the line.
Slow drains throughout
Several fixtures sluggish together points to a main line with a belly, offset or scale.
Lush green strip of grass
Fertile ground over a leak can grow faster than the rest of the lawn.
Repair methods and when each one fits
The right method depends on what the camera shows. Here is the usual match.
| Method | Good fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair by excavation | One broken joint or short crushed section | Digs up a small area, lowest disruption overall |
| Full replacement by trench | Long runs of failed pipe, severe sags or collapse | Most digging, longest lasting for old failed lines |
| Pipe lining | Cracks or root-prone joints in pipe that is still round | Little digging, but needs a clean pipe and enough diameter |
| Pipe bursting | Replacing a whole line with minimal trenching | Needs entry and exit pits, and not for every layout |
Some of these suit slab homes better than others. A plumber explains which methods apply to your layout. If you also suspect a supply leak, leak detection separates the two.
Sewer problem that keeps coming back?
Backups that return deserve a camera, not another cable. Dial (561) 448-8545 to set one up.
Permits, HB 803 and checking a plumber's license
The Village of Wellington's permit application says a separate permit must be secured for plumbing work, and the village's own page notes that the new small-job permit exemption under HB 803 does not cover plumbing. Permit rules vary by job, so ask the Village of Wellington Building Division whether your repair needs one. A licensed plumber can tell you what is usually required.
Under Florida Statutes chapter 489, unlicensed contracting is a crime, and the contractor cannot enforce a contract. You can verify any license with the state's DBPR lookup before you sign.
New sewer pipe goes in under the Florida Building Code, Plumbing volume, which is built on the International Plumbing Code (IPC). Permit rules vary by job, so ask the Building Division what yours needs.
Questions to ask before you approve a sewer repair
Put these to any contractor, ours included.
- Can I see the camera footage?The recording shows the damage and where it sits.
- Which method are you using and why?There should be a reason tied to the footage.
- Is a permit needed?Ask whether one is being pulled and by whom.
- What will be dug up?Ask about the yard, the driveway and any trees.
- What is the price before work starts?It should be stated clearly and in writing.
What changes the cost of a sewer repair
Sewer work spans a small spot fix to a long replacement, so no honest number comes before the camera. A technician sets a clear price after the inspection and before work starts.
Sudden damage may be covered by some policies, while wear and root intrusion are often excluded. Read your policy and ask the plumber for a written report.
While you wait for the repair crew
Stop using water
Every flush and shower adds to the backup. Use a neighbor's bathroom if you must.
Mark the path
Point out the cleanout and any irrigation lines or buried utilities you know about.
Photograph the damage
Take pictures of wet areas and overflows for the plumber and your insurer.
Drain pipe repair under the house
Not every sewer problem sits in the yard. A cracked drain pipe under a slab shows up as damp flooring, a smell in a closet, or a tub that drains slowly. A plumber locates the break with a camera and a locator, then plans a repair. If the repair is part of a remodel with new fixtures, our plumbing installation page covers that side.
Questions homeowners ask
Yes. The 24/7 line is open 24 hours every day, including nights and weekends. A licensed plumber is sent when one is available.
A temporary clearing may come first so you can use the house again, with the repair planned after the camera visit.
Repeated backups, a wet patch in the yard and a sewer smell outdoors are the common signs. Only a camera confirms it.
No. Lining and bursting suit certain pipes. A badly collapsed or offset line may need a trench.
Ask the Village of Wellington Building Division. The village states that the small-job exemption does not cover plumbing, and a licensed plumber can tell you what is usually required.
Roots enter through cracks and joints and widen them. A root cut gives temporary relief, and a repair stops the return.
It depends on the method. Spot repair, lining and bursting use less digging than a full trench. The plumber explains the plan first.
Yes. The Royal Palm Beach page lists the ZIP codes we cover.
Still have a question? Call (561) 448-8545