Sewer line repair starts with seeing the pipe.
Digging up a yard to find a break is the slow and costly way. A camera on a flexible cable shows the pipe from the inside: cracks, offset joints, roots, a belly that holds water and the exact distance to each problem.
Once we know what failed and where, we can match the fix to the damage. A short section may need only a spot repair. A long run of old pipe may justify replacement or lining.
When a damaged sewer line is an emergency.
- Sewage is backing into the house and cleaning only helps for a few days.
- A sinkhole, soft spot or wet strip shows up on the lawn along the pipe route.
- A strong sewage smell in the yard or the cellar that does not fade.
- Water meter shows steady use with no fixture running, which can point to water entering a damaged pipe.
- The camera shows a collapsed section that blocks flow entirely.
Repair options compared.
The right choice depends on the pipe material, depth, what sits above it and how much damage the camera shows. We lay out the options with prices before anything starts.
| Method. | Best for. | What to know. |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair by excavation. | One short damaged section. | Digs up a limited area. Fastest when the break is shallow. |
| Full replacement by excavation. | Long runs of collapsed or failed pipe. | Most disruptive. New pipe, new joints and a fresh slope. |
| Cured in place lining. | Cracks and leaky joints in a pipe that still holds its shape. | Little digging. Needs a clean pipe and enough diameter. |
| Pipe bursting. | Replacing old pipe along the same path. | Needs entry and exit pits and a suitable pipe. |
| Clean and monitor. | Minor roughness and no leaks. | Not a repair. Only suited when the camera shows a sound pipe. |
What pipe lining is and when it fits.
Lining pushes a resin soaked tube into the old pipe and cures it into a smooth new pipe inside the old one. It seals cracks and joints without digging a trench. It needs a pipe that is still round and roughly in line, and it must be cleaned thoroughly first.
Lining does not fix a pipe that has collapsed, sagged badly or broken apart. In those cases, a section is dug out and replaced. The camera tells us which one applies, and we will show you the footage.
From camera to finished repair.
Camera inspection.
We locate and record the damage, and we mark the surface above it.
Options and price.
You see the repair choices, what each involves and the cost of each, in writing.
Permit and utilities.
We confirm what Garfield requires and ask for utility mark outs before any digging.
Repair and test.
The damaged section is repaired or lined, then flow tested and, if you like, recorded again.
Camera found a break?
Call and talk to a dispatcher about the choices. Nothing starts until you approve the price.
Garfield ground conditions.
Garfield sits beside the Passaic River and the Saddle River, and parts of the city are low. The National Weather Service records the Saddle River at Lodi cresting at 13.94 feet in September 1999 and 13.5 feet in August 2011, with flood stage at 6 feet. After floods like those, saturated ground can shift old sewer pipe and open joints.
That does not mean every Garfield sewer line is at risk. It means lines in low, wet areas deserve a camera look after any major flood, especially before a basement is finished.
What drives the cost of a sewer repair.
Any sewer repair quote we give is written and includes what is and is not restored afterward.
Homeowner policies often exclude sewer line repair unless you carry an endorsement. Ask your agent before you decide, and keep the camera footage for any claim.
Licensed work.
Sewer work in New Jersey must be done by a licensed master plumber or a contractor employed by one, according to the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. You can verify a plumber's license through the Division of Consumer Affairs before signing anything.
If a camera inspection is all you need first, see our sewer inspection page. For neighboring towns, we also work in Passaic and Saddle Brook.
Questions homeowners ask us.
Yes. The emergency line is open 24/7. If sewage is backing up, we tell you what to shut off and send a technician for diagnosis as soon as one is free.
Repeat backups, a camera showing cracks or offsets, or wet spots along the pipe route all point to repair.
On a pipe that is still round and mostly aligned, lining can be an effective, less disruptive repair. On a collapsed pipe, replacement is needed.
Often yes. A camera shows how much of the wall is left. Sound sections can be lined or spot repaired, and badly corroded runs are replaced.
Not if lining or a spot repair will do. If excavation is needed, we mark the work area and explain what gets restored.
Usually yes, and rules differ by municipality. We check with the City of Garfield before starting.
Most standard policies do not, unless you carry a service line or sewer endorsement. Review your policy and keep the camera footage.
Written by the Garfield Express Plumbing team. Updated October 16, 2026.