Sewer line repair and replacement in Greenville and the Upstate
Sewer line repair for backups, sewage smells or a soggy spot in the yard. We inspect the line with a camera, show you the problem, and fix it without tearing up more than we have to.
A licensed Master Plumber on every job
How do I know if my sewer line needs repair?
Warning signs include several drains backing up at once, sewage smells, gurgling toilets, wet or sunken spots in the yard, and clogs that keep returning. A camera inspection confirms whether the line is cracked, root-filled, sagging or broken. Ethical Plumbing gives you options with written prices. Call 864-438-0525.
- Camera inspection
- Root damage repair
- Full line replacement
- Ask about $100 off
See the problem before you pay to fix it
Your sewer line carries everything from the house to the city sewer or septic tank. When it fails, the symptoms show up inside: drains backing up, toilets gurgling, the lowest drain in the house overflowing. Because the pipe is underground, the only reliable way to know what is wrong is to look.
We run a camera through the line and show you the footage: roots, cracks, offset joints, bellies or a collapse, and how far from the house each one is. A single damaged spot can often be repaired on its own. When the whole line is failing, replacement is the long-term fix, and we explain the options and prices for each.
Signs of a sewer line problem
Call when you notice:
- Several drains backing up at once
- Water coming up in the tub or shower
- Sewage smell inside or outside
- Wet, green or sunken spots in the yard
- Gurgling toilets and drains
- Rodents or insects near drains
Repair options
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Clean and clear
Hydro-jetting removes roots and buildup when the pipe is still sound.
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Spot repair
Replace one damaged section and leave the healthy pipe in place.
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Full replacement
New pipe from the house to the city connection or septic tank.
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Bored under pavement
Lines under driveways and walks replaced without breaking the surface.
No torn-up driveway
If the line runs under a driveway, sidewalk or road, we do not break up the pavement to reach it. We bore underneath and pull the new pipe through, so the surface stays intact. That avoids the cost of breaking up and repouring concrete on top of the plumbing work.
Sewer lines in Upstate homes
Homes built before the 1980s in Greenville, Taylors and Spartanburg often have clay or cast iron sewer lines. Clay joints let in roots from the oaks, maples and pines common in Upstate yards, and cast iron rusts and cracks with age. Red clay soil that swells and shrinks with the seasons can shift and sag older lines. Newer PVC lines resist roots but can still sag or break.
Generally the homeowner is responsible for the line from the house to the city connection, and the utility handles the main in the street. We can show you on the camera where your responsibility ends.
What affects the price of sewer line work
You get a written price before work starts. It depends on:
- Spot repair or full replacement
- Line length and depth
- Driveways, walks or trees in the path
- Boring under pavement
- Cleanout installation
- Current offer: $100 off full sewer line replacement
How a visit works
You book a time
Online or by phone. We confirm your arrival window and call when the plumber is on the way, or text or email if we cannot reach you.
We find the cause
A licensed Master Plumber diagnoses the problem and explains it in plain terms.
You choose, in writing
You get your options side by side with written prices. Nothing starts until you approve.
We fix it and walk you through it
Clean work area, tested result, and a walkthrough before we leave.
Why homeowners call Ethical Plumbing for sewer line repair
Every job starts with a diagnosis from a licensed plumber, not a sales pitch. We explain what we found in plain terms, show you the options side by side, and put the prices in writing before anything starts. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we say so.
We treat your home like a job site that people live in: shoe covers on, work area protected, cleaned up before we leave, and a walkthrough of what we did. Ethical Plumbing has served the Upstate since 2010, and our team brings 100+ years of combined plumbing experience. You can meet our plumbers or read what customers say.
What customers say
Every review here is from a real customer. Names are shortened for privacy.
Scott and Dorian were very knowledgeable, professional and thorough. We were given a detailed explanation of the work needed.
Nick was very thorough explaining our options, and didn't track in dirt on our floors.
Tristan was very knowledgeable and professional from our initial conversation to the follow up when the work was complete.
Sewer line repair across the Upstate
We inspect, repair and replace sewer lines in 7 counties across the Upstate and western North Carolina. Towns with a local page are linked.
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Greenville County, SC
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Spartanburg County, SC
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Pickens County, SC
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Anderson County, SC
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Henderson County, NC
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Polk County, NC
- Tryon
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Transylvania County, NC
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Also serving
- Seneca, SC
- Gray Court, SC
Sewer line repair FAQs
How much does sewer line replacement cost?
It depends on length, depth and what is in the way. You get a written price after the camera inspection, and you can ask about $100 off a full replacement.
Can you replace a sewer line without digging up my yard?
Under driveways, walks and roads we bore so the surface stays intact. Elsewhere we dig only where needed and restore the area.
How long does a sewer line last?
Clay and cast iron lines often last 50 to 70 years. PVC lasts longer. Roots and soil movement can shorten any of them.
Who is responsible for my sewer line?
Generally the homeowner owns the line from the house to the city connection. We can show where yours connects.
Can roots be removed from a sewer line for good?
Jetting removes them, but they return through open joints. Repairing or replacing those joints stops them.
Is a sewer backup an emergency?
Yes. Stop using water in the house and call 864-438-0525. Sewage carries bacteria, so avoid contact.
How long does sewer line replacement take?
Many residential replacements take one to two days, depending on length and access.
Do you have to tear up my driveway?
No. We bore under driveways, sidewalks and roads and pull the new line through, so the pavement above stays in place.
Ready when you are
Tell us what's going on.
A Master Plumber will find the cause, explain it in plain terms, and put your options in writing before any work starts.
- A licensed Master Plumber on every job
- Serving the Upstate since 2010
- Written prices, every job