If sewage is backing up or the yard over your sewer line is sinking, stop using water and call. The line is answered 24/7, and the first thing to do is keep water out of the line until a plumber has looked at it.
Repair means choosing between several methods, and the choice comes from what the camera shows. This page explains the options, how cast iron inside the house is handled, what moves the price, and why 811 comes before any digging.
Spot Repair, Lining, Pipe Bursting or Full Replacement
Sewer repair is not one job. These are the four main paths, and the right one depends on how much of the pipe is damaged and where.
Spot repair.
A short damaged section is cut out and replaced. It fits a single break or offset joint, usually where the camera shows a clear problem spot.
Trenchless lining.
A resin-coated liner is pulled through the old pipe and cured in place, forming a new pipe inside the old one. It suits pipes that are cracked or leaking but still in line.
Pipe bursting.
A new pipe is pulled through the old path while the old pipe is broken apart. It suits a pipe too damaged for lining but with a straight run.
Full replacement.
The old pipe is dug out and a new one laid. It fits collapsed, badly offset or heavily bellied lines that other methods cannot correct.
Trenchless methods are not always possible. A line that has collapsed, has sharp bends, or has a section that must change slope may need a trench.
How the Camera Look Decides the Repair
The recording from the camera is the basis for everything that follows. The plumber walks the line and then explains the choice.
Clear the line.
If the pipe is blocked, it is cleaned first so the camera can pass. See sewer inspection for what the camera can and cannot show.
Record the pipe.
The camera shows pipe material, cracks, offsets, roots, and low spots, and marks where each one sits along the line.
Match the repair.
Short damage points to spot repair. A long run of cracks may point to lining or bursting. A collapse or major offset points to replacement.
Sewage Backing Up or Yard Sinking? Act First on These
A broken sewer line can leak into the ground, or it can block and back up into the house. Both need quick action.
- Stop using water.No flushing, showers, dishwasher or washer. Every gallon sent into a broken line makes the damage worse.
- Keep people away from sewage.Keep children and pets out of the wet area and avoid contact. Ventilate the room.
- Note any sinkhole or wet spot in the yard.A sunken or soggy area over the line can mean the pipe has collapsed or is leaking. Tell the dispatcher where it is.
- Do not dig.Do not start digging to look for the pipe. Underground utilities may be close, and the next sections explain the 811 rule.
- Call and describe what you see.Tell us which fixtures are affected and whether the yard has changed.
Same-day appointments are offered when available, and the line is answered nights and weekends as well.
Think your sewer line is damaged?
Call and describe what you see. The 24/7 line is answered, and a camera look comes before any repair plan.
Cast Iron Sections Inside the House
Many older Minnesota homes have cast iron drain pipe inside the walls and under the basement floor. Cast iron lasts a long time, but it can rust through from the inside, crack, or lose its joints. Signs include rusty stains at joints, slow drains, and a sewer smell near the floor.
The camera can reach the inside of cast iron too, showing flaking, scale and cracks. A bad section can be cut out and replaced with plastic pipe using proper couplings. That is often a spot repair rather than a whole-house job.
Because cast iron work is inside the building, it affects floors and walls. The plumber will explain which areas need to be opened and what the repair involves before work starts.
Sewer repairs on your private line are governed by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) chapters that Minnesota Rules chapter 4714 makes part of state law. The state requires altered plumbing systems to be inspected and tested, and the digging itself needs a Gopher State One Call locate under Minnesota Statutes chapter 216D.
Which Repair Fits Which Camera Finding
This table shows the common findings and the repair that usually follows. The camera recording is the deciding evidence.
| Camera finding | Likely repair | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One cracked or offset joint | Spot repair | The damage is short, so only that section is replaced. |
| Several cracks, pipe still aligned | Trenchless lining | A liner seals the pipe without digging the whole run. |
| Pipe too damaged to line, straight path | Pipe bursting | A new pipe replaces the old along the same path. |
| Collapse or major offset | Full replacement | The pipe must be re-laid to restore slope and flow. |
| Roots through a sound but open joint | Cleaning, then spot repair or lining | Seal the joint so roots stop returning. See sewer line cleaning. |
| Rusted cast iron inside the house | Section replacement | Cut out the bad section and replace it with new pipe. |
The plumber explains the finding and the choice before any work is priced.
Who Owns the Pipe and a Common Mix-Up
The city of Rosemount says homeowners own the private pipe from the house to the street sewer main. That means a repair on your lateral is your decision and your cost, and the city is responsible for the main under the street.
Do not confuse this with the city's lead service line inventory. That project is about water service lines, the small pipes that bring drinking water into the house. It does not cover sewer laterals, so a notice about it has no bearing on a sewer repair.
If you are unsure where your private pipe ends and the main begins, ask the city. A camera look shows the line up to the street connection, which helps place any damage on your side.
Source: City of Rosemount Sanitary Sewer page and Service Line Inventory page (rosemountmn.gov)
Call 811 Before Any Digging
Minnesota law requires you to call Gopher State One Call at 811 before you dig. The state asks for at least 48 hours' notice, not counting weekends and holidays, and the locate service is free to the excavator.
A sewer repair that involves a trench or an access pit needs this call. Gas, electric, water and communication lines may run near the sewer lateral, and hitting one is dangerous and expensive.
A contractor normally handles the call for the job, but it is worth asking. If you plan any digging yourself, call first and wait for the marks.
What Drives the Price of a Sewer Line Repair
We give a clear price before work starts. Sewer repair prices vary a lot, and these are the reasons.
Home insurance often excludes sewer line repair unless a rider was added, and some policies have separate line coverage. Check your policy, and keep the camera recording to document the damage.
Sewer line repair questions
Yes. The line is answered 24/7. Stop using water first, keep people out of any wet area, and call.
The city says homeowners own the private pipe from the house to the street sewer main. The city is responsible for the main in the street.
A camera inspection shows the pipe's condition. Lining suits a pipe that is cracked but aligned, and replacement suits a collapsed or badly offset pipe.
Yes, before any digging. Minnesota law requires it, with at least 48 hours' notice not counting weekends and holidays, and the service is free.
No. It concerns water service lines that carry drinking water into the house. It has nothing to do with the sewer lateral.
Often yes. A damaged section can be cut out and replaced with new pipe, and the camera shows which parts are in good enough shape to keep.
Cleaning can clear a blockage but not repair a crack. If roots or damage keep returning, repair is the lasting answer.