Underground Plumbing
Sewer Line & Underground Pipe Repair
Repair and replacement of sewer lines and underground water lines — an honest diagnosis first, then a lasting fix with as little disruption to your yard and home as possible.
The pipes you can’t see matter most
Your home's sewer line carries every drop of wastewater from the house to the municipal sewer, and the underground water line brings clean water in. Both are buried — under the yard, the driveway, or the basement floor — so most homeowners only think about them when something goes wrong: a basement backup, a soggy patch in the lawn, or a clog that keeps coming back no matter how many times it's cleared.
Our team diagnoses, repairs, and replaces underground water and sewer pipes across Chicago's North and Northwest suburbs using professional equipment. Whether it's a damaged sewer line, a hidden underground leak, or an aging system that's reached the end of its life, we give you a clear explanation of what's wrong and a lasting solution — with as little disruption to your property as possible.
What’s Included
Here’s what this service covers.
- Sewer line repair and replacement
- Underground water line repair and replacement
- Leak diagnosis with professional locating equipment
- Under-slab drain and sewer repairs in basements
- New construction under-slab rough-in
- Replacement of aging or failing underground pipe systems
Signs of a sewer line problem
Sewer line trouble usually shows up as a pattern rather than a single event. Call us if you notice:
- Backups in a basement floor drain, especially when the washing machine drains or a toilet is flushed.
- Several drains slow at once, particularly on the lowest level of the home.
- Clogs that come back weeks or months after being cleared.
- Gurgling toilets or sewer odors in the basement or yard.
- Wet, sunken, or unusually green spots in the yard along the path of the line.
Many older homes in the North and Northwest suburbs were built with clay or cast-iron sewer lines. Over decades those materials can crack, separate at the joints, or let tree roots in, and a single damaged section can catch debris and cause repeated clogs. A clog that keeps returning is worth diagnosing properly instead of clearing again and again — start with drain cleaning if the line is backed up now, then let us look at what's behind it.
Signs of an underground water line leak
The main water line from the street to your house can leak for a long time before it's obvious. Warning signs include a water bill that climbs without explanation, low water pressure throughout the house, the sound of running water when everything is off, or a wet area in the yard that never dries out. Our leak detection work helps pinpoint where the problem is before any digging starts.
How we approach sewer and underground repairs
- Diagnose first. We figure out where the problem is and what's causing it before recommending anything. Guessing at underground work is expensive.
- Explain your options. Sometimes a damaged section can be repaired; sometimes the line has reached the end of its life and replacement is the better value. You'll know the difference and the price before we start.
- Plan to minimize disruption. We plan the excavation to disturb as little of your yard, driveway, or basement floor as the job allows.
- Repair or replace to code. We pull permits when a job requires one and coordinate inspections.
- Test and restore. We test the new work, backfill, and clean up.
We also install underground plumbing for new construction and additions — the under-slab drain, waste, and vent lines that have to be right before the concrete is poured, like the rough-in in the photos below.
What affects the cost of sewer line work
Sewer and underground water line jobs vary more than almost any other plumbing work, so we don't quote a number until we've diagnosed the problem. The main factors are:
- How deep the line is and how long the damaged section is
- Whether it's a spot repair or a full replacement
- What's on top of it — lawn, landscaping, driveway, or a basement slab
- Pipe material and the condition of the rest of the line
- Permits, inspections, and any work required at the connection to the municipal line
Scheduled appointments booked in advance get 10% off. If sewage is backing up into your home, call us — same-day emergency visits are often available at the emergency rate.
Recent Work
Workmanship that speaks for itself.
Frequently Asked
Questions homeowners usually ask.
How do I know if my sewer line needs to be replaced?
Repeated backups, several slow drains at once, and clogs that return soon after being cleared are the most common signs. We diagnose the line first and tell you whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense.
Can a damaged sewer line be repaired without replacing the whole thing?
Sometimes. If the damage is limited to one section and the rest of the line is in good shape, a spot repair can be the right call. If the line is deteriorating along its length, replacement is usually the better value.
Will you have to dig up my yard?
Underground repairs usually require some excavation, but we plan the work to disturb as little of your yard, driveway, or basement floor as the job allows, and we clean up when we’re done.
Do tree roots really get into sewer lines?
Yes. Roots are drawn to moisture and can enter older clay or cast-iron lines through cracks and joints. Homes with mature trees near the sewer line are more likely to see it.
Do you handle underground water line leaks too?
Yes. We repair and replace underground water lines, and we use professional locating equipment to find the leak before any digging starts.
Do you pull permits for sewer work?
Yes. We work to code and pull the proper permits when a job requires one.
Areas We Serve
Serving Chicago's North & Northwest suburbs.
Worried about your sewer line?
Call I.D. ProPlumbing for a reliable diagnosis and a lasting repair — evenings and weekends by appointment.