Memphis, TN · plumbing service
Sewer Line Repair in Memphis, TN
About two-thirds of homes predate 1980, and older clay and cast iron laterals crack and let roots in. Call to be connected with an independent, licensed plumber who handles sewer line repair in Memphis; they diagnose the problem and quote the work before starting.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent plumbing contractor serving your area. Calls may be recorded for quality and training. The call and referral are free, and you are never obligated to hire.- Licensed local plumbers
- Free call and referral
- You approve the quote first
Common signs
- Several drains slow at once
- gurgling
- sewage smell
Sewer Line Repair services in Memphis
- Sewer Line RepairRecurring backups, sewer odors, slow fixtures or a damaged sewer line.
- Sewer Camera InspectionVideo inspection to find the cause of drain and sewer problems.
- Trenchless Sewer RepairLining or bursting a sewer pipe with minimal digging.
- Sewer Line ReplacementReplacing a failed sewer line to the street.
Problems sewer line repair fixes
- Several drains slow or backing up together
- Sewage smell in the yard or basement
- Soggy, sunken or unusually green patches over the line
- Roots or breaks found on a camera inspection
Why sewer line repair comes up in Memphis
About two-thirds of homes predate 1980, and older clay and cast iron laterals crack and let roots in.
64% of Memphis's homes were built before 1980, when sewer laterals were commonly clay or cast iron. Clay joints let roots in and cast iron corrodes and scales, so a camera inspection is the first step before paying for a repair.
- Typical home built
- 1971
- Homes before 1980
- 64%
- Winter freezes
- Occasional hard freezes
How the work is done
- 1Camera inspectionThe plumber locates the defect and measures its depth and distance from the cleanout.
- 2Choose the repairSpot repair, pipe lining, pipe bursting or full replacement, depending on the damage and access.
- 3Permit and locatesUtility locates and, where required, a sewer permit and inspection come before digging.
- 4Repair and verifyA final camera pass or flow test confirms the line is clear.
What affects the price
The plumbing company sets the price after seeing the job; ask for it in writing before work starts.
- Depth and length of the damaged section
- Excavation versus trenchless methods
- Pipe material and condition
- Driveways, trees or landscaping over the line
- Permit and inspection requirements
Plumbing work we connect Memphis homeowners with
Sewer Line Repair in Memphis: questions
Who maintains the public sewer lines in Memphis?
The City of Memphis Environmental Engineering division maintains more than 3,000 miles of sanitary sewer, including CCTV inspection, cleaning and emergency repairs.
What is the SARP10 program in Memphis?
SARP10 is the City of Memphis Sewer Assessment and Rehabilitation Program, created under a consent decree effective September 20, 2012, to assess and repair the sewer system and reduce overflows.
Why is sewer line repair a common call in Memphis?
About two-thirds of homes predate 1980, and older clay and cast iron laterals crack and let roots in.
How old are most homes in Memphis?
The median home in Memphis was built in 1971, and 64% of homes were built before 1980 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey).
Does sewer line repair in Memphis need a permit?
Usually, when piping changes; the plumber normally pulls it.
Can recurring clogs in Memphis mean a sewer line problem?
Yes. When several drains back up together, the main sewer line is the likely cause, and a camera inspection shows whether it's roots, a sag or a break. In Memphis: about two-thirds of homes predate 1980, and older clay and cast iron laterals crack and let roots in.
Sewer Line Repair near Memphis
- Sewer Line Repair in Knoxville, TNSewer Line Repair in Knoxville, TN: older laterals on hilly lots crack and shift.
- Sewer Line Repair in Chattanooga, TNSewer Line Repair in Chattanooga, TN: hillside lots and older neighborhoods have shifting, root-damaged laterals.
- Sewer Line Repair in Clarksville, TNSewer Line Repair in Clarksville, TN: older laterals near downtown crack in rocky, shifting ground.
More plumbing services in Memphis
- Sewer Backup Cleanup in Memphis, TNSewer Backup Cleanup in Memphis, TN: heavy storms can overwhelm sewers and push water back into low drains.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in Memphis, TNFrozen Pipe Repair in Memphis, TN: occasional hard freezes catch pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls that weren't built for cold.
- All plumbing services in MemphisEvery plumbing service available to Memphis homes.
Local rules and details for Memphis
Memphis facts behind this page
For sewer line repair that changes or replaces piping, Memphis's plumbing code and permit rules apply (see the source below). Ask the plumber whether your job needs a permit and who pulls it; a licensed plumber normally does.
- The median home in Memphis was built in 1971. [1]
- About 64% of Memphis's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [1]
- Tennessee's adopted plumbing code is the 2021 International Plumbing Code, and Memphis-area plumbing work is permitted and inspected locally. [2]
- The City of Memphis Environmental Engineering division maintains over 3,000 miles of sanitary sewer lines made of concrete, vitrified clay, PVC and ductile iron, with more than 150 maintenance and inspection employees. Their work includes closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection, sewer line cleaning, preventive maintenance and emergency repairs of sanitary sewer infrastructure, plus about 100 sewer lift stations. [3]
- Memphis entered a consent decree with the U.S. EPA, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department of Justice and the Tennessee Clean Waters Network, effective September 20, 2012, to minimize sanitary sewer overflows. Its SARP10 (Sewer Assessment and Rehabilitation Program) assesses and rehabilitates the city's sewer system neighborhood by neighborhood. [3]
Memphis rules and programs for sewer line repair
- The City of Memphis Environmental Engineering division maintains over 3,000 miles of sanitary sewer lines made of concrete, vitrified clay, PVC and ductile iron, with more than 150 maintenance and inspection employees. Their work includes closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection, sewer line cleaning, preventive maintenance and emergency repairs of sanitary sewer infrastructure, plus about 100 sewer lift stations. [3]
- Memphis entered a consent decree with the U.S. EPA, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department of Justice and the Tennessee Clean Waters Network, effective September 20, 2012, to minimize sanitary sewer overflows. Its SARP10 (Sewer Assessment and Rehabilitation Program) assesses and rehabilitates the city's sewer system neighborhood by neighborhood. [3]
Other common plumbing calls in Memphis
- Sewer Backup: heavy storms can overwhelm sewers and push water back into low drains.
- Frozen Pipe Repair: occasional hard freezes catch pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls that weren't built for cold.
Sources (3)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office, Currently Adopted Codes · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Memphis, Environmental Engineering · checked 2026-10-19