Northern, Utah
Sewer Line Repair & Replacement in Ogden, Utah
Camera inspection first, targeted repair second — we don’t dig until we know exactly what we’re dealing with
Ogden has a lot of old sewer lines. Homes built between 1900 and 1960 — and there are thousands of them in Ogden, Roy, and the surrounding valley — were plumbed with vitrified clay pipe and later cast iron. Those materials had a reasonable service life, but they’re now 60–100 years into it. Clay pipe sections separate at joints and crack under ground movement. Cast iron corrodes from the inside out. Tree roots — especially from the large cottonwoods, maples, and elms that line Ogden’s older residential streets — find the joints and exploit them. We deal with these pipe types constantly, and we know exactly how they fail.
We run a sewer camera before we make any repair recommendation. That means you get a diagnosis based on what’s actually in the ground under your property — not a guess based on the age of your home or the symptom you described. Some problems are a hydro-jetting session away from resolution. Others require a spot repair at a specific failed section. A minority need full line replacement. We’ll show you the footage and explain exactly what we found before we ask you to approve anything.
We don’t propose repairs without visual confirmation. Our sewer camera gives us footage of your actual pipe condition — cracks, root intrusion, offset joints, belly sections — so the repair we propose is the repair that’s actually needed.
Lochinvar
Rheem
Honest Diagnosis and Professional Service
Clay and cast iron sewer lines behave differently than PVC, and diagnosing them correctly requires experience with their specific failure modes. We’ve been working with these materials in Northern Utah homes for generations.
How do I know if I have a sewer line problem?
The most common signs are: multiple drains in the house slowing down at the same time, sewage odor in the house or yard, gurgling sounds from toilets and drains, wet spots or unusually green grass over your sewer line path, and sewage backup in the lowest drain in the house. Any of these warrants a camera inspection.
What does a sewer camera inspection involve?
We access your sewer line through the cleanout — typically a capped pipe near the foundation. We feed a push camera through the line while watching the footage in real time on a monitor. The camera tracks depth and distance so we know exactly where in the run any problem is located. The inspection itself usually takes 30–60 minutes. We’ll walk you through what we see and explain the options before leaving.
What's the difference between hydro-jetting and snaking?
A mechanical snake (auger) drills through a blockage and pulls or breaks it apart, but leaves a lot behind on the pipe walls. Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the entire circumference of the pipe interior — roots, grease, scale, sediment. For a one-time clog, snaking may be sufficient. For recurring backups or lines with years of buildup, hydro-jetting delivers a more thorough, longer-lasting result.
Are tree root problems common in Ogden's older neighborhoods?
Very common. The older residential streets in Ogden, Roy, and South Ogden are lined with mature trees — cottonwoods, silver maples, elms — with extensive root systems. Clay pipe joints, which gap slightly over time, are exactly what tree roots seek out: moisture, warmth, and nutrients. Root intrusion is one of the most frequent findings on camera inspections of pre-1970 homes in this area.
How long does a sewer line repair take?
A hydro-jetting session is typically a half-day job. A spot repair — camera inspection, excavation, 4–8 feet of pipe replacement, backfill — usually runs 1 full day. A full sewer line replacement is a multi-day project depending on line length and access. We’ll give you a realistic timeline in the estimate.
Can a sewer line problem be fixed without digging up my yard?
Sometimes, depending on what the camera shows. Pipe lining (CIPP) is a viable option for lines that have compromised joints but are structurally intact along most of the run. It isn’t appropriate for lines with large cracks, significant offsets, or root damage that has physically deformed the pipe. After the camera inspection we’ll tell you whether trenchless is a real option for your specific situation.
Let’s talk about your project
Slow drains, sewage odor, or backed-up fixtures? Don’t wait for a full overflow. Call Mike Bachman Plumbing at (801) 627-5953 to schedule a camera inspection and get a clear picture of what’s happening in your sewer line.