Sewer Line Repair & Tunneling in Houston | Permanent Fixes, No Patches

Licensed Master Plumbers (MPL-38162). We protect your foundation and your floors by digging under the slab, not through it.

24/7 Emergency ServiceHonest Pricing

Request Sewer Line Repair – Call (281) 427-8325

We Bring the Supply House to Your Driveway.

A broken sewer line is more than just a plumbing problem; it is a threat to your home’s foundation and hygiene. Whether it is a “belly” holding water, a sheared pipe from shifting soil, or a complete collapse, you need a solution that lasts decades, not a temporary patch.

At Blackmon Plumbing, we specialize in Sanitary Sewer Tunneling and Excavation. While other companies try to sell “trenchless liners” that often fail in Houston’s active clay soil, we do the job the hard way because it is the right way.

We dispatch fully stocked mobile warehouses to diagnose the break with precision, tunnel safely under your home, and replace the damage with code-compliant Schedule 40 PVC.

(Note: For severe grease buildup or heavy root impaction, we dispatch our dedicated Trailer-Mounted Hydro-Jetter. This industrial unit delivers 4,000 PSI at 18 GPM to scour lines completely clean.)

What We Carry on the Truck for Sewer Repair

When we arrive to diagnose a sewer break, we don’t need to run back to the shop for testing gear. Our vans are mobile technical centers.

For Sewer Repair & Tunneling diagnostics, we carry:

Digital Line Locators: We use radio-frequency locators to map exactly where your sewer line runs and pinpoint the depth of the break.
Static Isolation Testing Gear: Specialized inflatable test balls and gauges allow us to isolate the system section-by-section. We find the exact leak, so we don’t dig a foot more than necessary.
Self-Leveling Sewer Cameras: To visually verify the condition of the pipe (identifying cast iron rot vs. root breaks).

Transition Couplings: We stock Fernco and shielded transition bands to properly connect new PVC to existing city mains or cast iron stubs.

How We Perform Sewer Repair (Tunneling)

We hold Texas Responsible Master Plumber License MPL-38162. We protect your property by following a strict diagnostic and repair protocol.

Step 1: Static Isolation Testing (The "Balloon" Test)
Camera footage isn’t enough—it can miss small cracks or leaks at joints. We use Static Isolation Testing.
- We insert an inflatable test ball into the line to block a section.
- We fill that section with water and monitor the level for 20 minutes.
- If it drops, we know the leak is in that specific 10-foot section.
This allows us to surgically target the repair rather than replacing the whole system blindly.
Step 2: Tunneling (Protecting Your Floors)
If the break is under your home, we do not jackhammer your living room floor.
- We dig an access pit outside the foundation.
- We hand-dig a tunnel underneath the slab to reach the broken pipe.
- Your tile, wood, and carpet remain untouched. You can often stay in the home while we work.
Step 3: The Code-Compliant Repair
We cut out the damaged pipe (often rotting Cast Iron or thin-wall PVC) and replace it with heavy-duty Schedule 40 PVC. We hang the pipe using proper hangers secured to the slab, ensuring the correct “fall” (slope) so waste flows away by gravity.
Step 4: Backfill & Foundation Support
We do not just shovel loose dirt back into the tunnel, as that leads to settling.
- Flowable Fill / Mudjacking: Depending on engineering standards and city codes, we use Flowable Fill (a liquid cement-sand mix) or hydro-pumping to ensure every inch of the void under your slab is filled solid.
Compaction: We compact access pits in layers (lifts) to prevent sunken spots in your yard later. Your foundation is fully supported before we leave.
What to Expect: The Tunneling Timeline
We respect that we are working at your home. Here is a typical workflow for a spot repair:
- Day 1: The Dig. Our crew arrives, sets up protection for your lawn, and hand-digs the access pit and tunnel. (Water service is usually on for most of this day).
- Day 2: The Repair. We cut out the broken section, install new Schedule 40 PVC, and support it with proper hangers. We leave the tunnel open for inspection.
Day 3: Inspection & Backfill. The City Inspector approves the work. We then backfill the tunnel using proper compaction or flowable fill and restore your yard.

Safety & Foundation Protection

Sewer repair involves the structural integrity of your home. We take that seriously.

Permitting & Inspections: We handle all permitting with the City of Houston Permitting Center (or your local municipality). A city inspector will physically view our work before we cover it up.
Foundation Warranty Protection: Many foundation repair companies require a “Hydro-Static Test” passed by a Master Plumber to honor their warranty. Our repairs and post-repair testing provide the certification you need to keep your warranty valid.
IPC Compliance: We adhere to the International Plumbing Code (IPC) regarding slope, bedding, and venting.

OSHA Compliant Shoring: Tunneling requires strict adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. We use proper shoring boards to prevent cave-ins and our crews are trained in Confined Space Entry. You can rest easy knowing the crew under your home is working safely and legally.

Why We Say "NO" to Trenchless Pipe Lining

You may have heard of “CIPP” (Cured-in-Place Pipe) or “Trenchless Patching.” It sounds great—no digging! But in Houston, it is often a trap.

The Soil Problem:

Houston has “active” clay soil that swells and shrinks. This movement shears pipes. A soft resin liner inside a pipe cannot stop the ground from shearing it again.

The "Belly" Problem:

If your pipe has dipped and holds water (a belly), lining it just makes a smoother belly. It doesn’t fix the slope. Waste will still pool and clog.

The Blackmon Solution:

We excavate. We re-bed the ground. We install rigid PVC at the correct angle. It is the only way to permanently fix the slope and structure.

Common Sewer Failures by Neighborhood

West Houston (Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land)

The clay soil here is notorious for causing Slab Leaks. As the ground shifts, it snaps pipes right where they enter the foundation. We use Tunneling to fix these without wrecking your floors.

Older Neighborhoods (Heights, Montrose, Pasadena)

Homes built before 1980 often have Cast Iron sewer lines. These pipes don’t just “get old”; they suffer from Hydrogen Sulfide Corrosion.

The Science: As waste sits in the pipe, it creates gas that eats away the bottom of the pipe (a process called “channel rot”).
The Symptom: You might not have a clog, but you have constant cockroach infestations or a “sewage smell” in the house because the pipe is open to the dirt.

The Fix: We specialize in total Cast Iron-to-PVC replacement.

North Houston (The Woodlands, Kingwood)

Aggressive tree roots crush pipes here. Once a pipe is crushed/ovalized, it cannot be cleaned; it must be cut out and replaced.

Do You Need a Spot Repair or a Full Replacement?

We believe in honest, upfront pricing. We will never sell you a replacement if a cleaning is all you need. Here is how to know:

Spot Repair (Tunnel/Excavate):

The leak is confined to one specific area (found via Isolation Test).
The rest of the system is PVC and in good shape.
The issue is a “sheared” pipe from settling.

Full Replacement (Repipe):

You have old Cast Iron piping that is scaling and channeling.
You have multiple breaks throughout the system.
Your line has a massive “belly” (dip) spanning 20+ feet.

Common Questions About Sewer Repair

Q: Can I use my water while you work?

A: For most of the day, water may need to be off, but we always aim to restore temporary service by the evening so you can shower and flush toilets overnight.

Q: Can I use my water while you work?

A: For most of the day, water may need to be off, but we always aim to restore temporary service by the evening so you can shower and flush toilets overnight.

Q: Can I use my water while you work?

A: For most of the day, water may need to be off, but we always aim to restore temporary service by the evening so you can shower and flush toilets overnight.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Repair?

We believe in transparency. In many cases, standard homeowners insurance policies classify sewer line failure as “wear and tear” or “gradual deterioration,” which is not covered.

The Exception: If you have a specific “Service Line Coverage” endorsement or if the damage caused sudden water damage to the home (e.g., ruined floors).

How We Help: While we cannot guarantee coverage, our Master Plumbers provide detailed, code-compliant reports and camera footage that Insurance Adjusters respect. If there is a valid claim, we provide the documentation you need to fight for it.

Flexible Financing for Major Repairs

You shouldn’t have to choose between your home’s safety and your savings account.

0% Interest Options: Available for qualified homeowners.
Low Monthly Payments: Spread the cost of a major tunnel job over time.
Ask your technician about our current financing partners when they arrive for the evaluation.

Trust the Master Plumbers with Your Foundation

Don’t let a “patch” company risk your home’s structure. Trust Blackmon Plumbing for honest, permanent excavation repairs.

Request Sewer Line Repair – Call (281) 427-8325

Blackmon Plumbing

Sewer Line Repair & Tunneling in Houston | Permanent Fixes, No Patches

We Bring the Supply House to Your Driveway.

What We Carry on the Truck for Sewer Repair

How We Perform Sewer Repair (Tunneling)

Step 1: Static Isolation Testing (The "Balloon" Test)

Step 2: Tunneling (Protecting Your Floors)

Step 3: The Code-Compliant Repair

Step 4: Backfill & Foundation Support

What to Expect: The Tunneling Timeline

Safety & Foundation Protection

Why We Say "NO" to Trenchless Pipe Lining

The Soil Problem:

The "Belly" Problem:

The Blackmon Solution:

Common Sewer Failures by Neighborhood

West Houston (Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land)

Older Neighborhoods (Heights, Montrose, Pasadena)

North Houston (The Woodlands, Kingwood)

Do You Need a Spot Repair or a Full Replacement?

Spot Repair (Tunnel/Excavate):

Full Replacement (Repipe):

Common Questions About Sewer Repair

Q: Can I use my water while you work?

Q: Can I use my water while you work?

Q: Can I use my water while you work?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Repair?

Flexible Financing for Major Repairs

Trust the Master Plumbers with Your Foundation

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