Under-Slab Sewer & Drain Line Repair in Littleton, CO

An under-slab drain leak is a crack, break or separated joint in the waste or sewer pipe that runs beneath your concrete floor. Unlike a supply-line slab leak, it does not raise your water bill — the water is already leaving the house. Instead, wastewater seeps into the soil under your home, which can cause odors, damp floors, settling and pests. We diagnose drain leaks with a sewer camera and repair them by lining, spot repair or replacement.

Signs of a leaking drain under the slab

• Sewer odor inside, especially near floor drains or bathrooms
• Slow or gurgling drains in multiple fixtures
• Recurring backups in a lower-level bathroom or floor drain
• Damp spots or efflorescence on a basement floor near a bathroom
• Cracks in the slab, or doors that start sticking
• Insect activity (often ants or drain flies) near floor drains

How we diagnose under-slab drain problems

1. Camera inspection. A waterproof camera goes in through a cleanout or toilet flange and records the inside of the drain.
2. Locating. A transmitter in the camera head lets us mark the exact location and depth of any problem on your floor.
3. Hydrostatic test (when needed). We plug the drain and fill it with water; a drop in level confirms a leak in that section.
4. Recommendation with video you can watch and keep.

What causes drain leaks under Littleton homes?

• Cast-iron deterioration. Homes built before the late 1970s often have cast-iron drains that rust from the inside and crack.
• Settling and clay soil movement that pulls joints apart or creates sags ("bellies") where waste sits.
• Root intrusion at joints in the building drain where it leaves the house.
• Construction defects such as poor bedding or improperly glued ABS joints in newer homes.

How are under-slab drains repaired?

Why can't drains be rerouted like water lines?

Water lines are under pressure and can go up and over. Drains rely on gravity and need a steady downward slope, so they usually have to stay where they are under the slab. That makes lining and targeted repairs more important.

How much does under-slab sewer line repair cost in Littleton?

What are the warning signs of a slab leak?

Most homeowners call us because of one of these, often two at once:

• A water bill that jumps with no change in habits, or a water meter that keeps spinning with every fixture off
• A warm or hot patch on tile, vinyl or carpet — the classic sign of a hot-water line leak
• The sound of running water when nothing is on, often loudest at night
• Damp or musty carpet, lifting laminate, cupping hardwood or efflorescence (white crust) on a basement floor
• New cracks in the slab or in drywall near the floor
• Low water pressure at one fixture or across the house
• A water heater that runs constantly, or a sudden jump in your gas bill

What does a sewer camera inspection show?

A camera inspection gives you a recorded look inside your drain from the cleanout to the sewer main. Common findings under Littleton slabs include:

• Cracks and fractures in cast iron, often running lengthwise
• Scale and tuberculation narrowing old cast iron and slowing drains
• Offset or separated joints, where sections no longer line up
• Bellies, low spots where waste and water collect
• Root intrusion near where the drain exits the house
• Debris and grease buildup that's a cleaning problem, not a pipe problem

That last point matters: not every slow drain is a broken pipe. A camera keeps you from paying for a repair you don't need.

Cast iron, ABS and PVC: what's under your floor?

Preventing under-slab drain problems

• Don't pour grease down drains; it builds up in older cast iron
• Avoid "flushable" wipes, which snag on rough pipe
• Use hair and food catchers
• If you have cast iron, a camera inspection every few years catches problems early

How long does an under-slab drain repair take?

A camera inspection takes an hour or two. Spot repairs are usually finished in one or two days plus concrete cure. Cured-in-place lining often takes one to two days. A full section replacement with trenching can take several days, depending on length and what's above it.

What to do while you wait for a drain repair

Use the fewest fixtures possible on the affected drain — especially lower-level toilets, showers and washers. Avoid running the dishwasher and washer at the same time. If a lower-level drain is backing up, stop using water upstairs until it's cleared.

Can a drain leak cause a slab leak elsewhere?

Not directly, but leaking wastewater can soften and wash out soil, which can let the slab settle. Settlement can then stress nearby water lines locked in the same concrete. That's another reason not to wait on a drain leak.

Under-slab drains in Littleton homes with basements

In homes with basements, the main building drain often runs beneath the basement slab before leaving through the foundation. Basement bathrooms, floor drains and laundry tie into it. That's why lower-level drains are usually the first to show trouble when something is wrong under the slab — and why a backup in a basement shower deserves a camera look, not just a snake.

Do you clean drains as part of the inspection?

If a drain is blocked, we may need to clear it before the camera can pass. Sometimes clearing is all that's needed; the camera then confirms the pipe itself is sound.

Why we record every camera inspection

You get the video. It shows exactly what we saw and where, so you can make decisions with confidence, get a second opinion if you want one, and give your insurer clear evidence. It also gives you a baseline: if you have a section lined or replaced, a future inspection can be compared against it. We mark the depth and location of each problem on the floor and on your report, so anyone who works on the drain later knows exactly where to look, years from now.

Under-slab sewer FAQ