π‘ CCTV Scoping Β· Trenchless Lining Β· Full Excavation
Backed-Up or Collapsed Sewer Line in Ithaca, NY? We Fix It Right
A sewer line failure ranges from a root intrusion that responds to clearing, to a collapsed pipe section that requires physical repair or lining. The difference between those two scenarios β and their costs β is determined by a CCTV camera scope, not a guess. Masters Plumbing Service's sewer techs in Ithaca, NY run the camera first, show you exactly what's there, and recommend the repair method that actually resolves the specific failure.
CCTV Pipe Camera DiagnosisTrenchless Pipe Lining AvailableLicensed in NYFull Excavation Capability
Our Approach
Why Camera-First Diagnosis Matters for Your Sewer Line
The repair method β clearing, lining, or digging β should follow from the specific failure documented on camera. We show you that footage before you sign anything.
π·
Camera Diagnosis Before Any Quote
We push a CCTV camera through your sewer line before recommending anything. The footage shows blockage type, joint conditions, pipe material, depth, and any structural defects β precisely located by distance from the cleanout. You see what we see.
π
Trenchless Pipe Lining β No-Dig Option
For sewer lines with root intrusion, cracked joints, or minor pipe deformation that haven't fully collapsed, CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) lining installs a structural epoxy sleeve inside the existing pipe without excavation. The liner bonds to the host pipe, seals every joint, and produces a smooth interior surface that resists future root infiltration.
βοΈ
Excavation When Required β Done Properly
Fully collapsed pipe sections, severe pipe belly (negative grade), and pipe offset severe enough to block flow require physical excavation to repair. We locate the defect precisely on camera, mark the dig site, call for utility locates, excavate cleanly, replace the failed section, and backfill and restore the surface.
π
Permitted Work & Written Documentation
This documentation matters for home sales, insurance claims, and warranty enforcement. We provide it as standard practice, not as an add-on.
Our Services
Every Sewer Line Repair Scenario We Handle in Ithaca, NY
From a simple root cutting to a full trenchless lining or spot excavation, our sewer crew in Ithaca, NY has the equipment and certification to execute.
Root Intrusion
Root Cutting & Mechanical Clearing
Root cutting is a temporary measure if the joints remain open. After cutting, we assess whether pipe lining to seal the entry points is warranted, or whether the joints are tight enough that regular maintenance clearing is the right long-term plan.
Structural Repair
Trenchless CIPP Pipe Lining
CIPP lining works on pipes with cracks, root intrusion at joints, minor deformation, and localized damage β as long as the host pipe can maintain the liner in position during curing. We assess liner candidacy from camera footage before committing to this method.
Excavation
Open-Cut Sewer Line Replacement
When pipe sections have fully collapsed, when the pipe grade has reversed (creating a belly that holds standing sewage), or when root intrusion is too severe for lining to hold, traditional excavation is the correct repair. We locate the defect precisely on camera, mark the excavation footprint, call for utility locates, and dig to the pipe depth.
Diagnosis
CCTV Sewer Line Camera Inspection
A standalone camera inspection β without any clearing or repair β is useful for pre-purchase due diligence, insurance documentation, or understanding why a drain is performing poorly before committing to a repair approach. We run the camera, record footage with distance markers, and provide a written scope report.
Emergency
Active Sewer Backup Response
Active sewage backup into a structure is an emergency requiring immediate response. We dispatch on an emergency basis, clear the blockage to restore drain function, contain and document the affected area, and schedule the camera scope to assess underlying cause β either same-day or at the earliest opportunity.
Preventive
Sewer Line Maintenance Program
A written maintenance record documenting each cleaning and camera finding is useful evidence for insurance claims and demonstrates proactive maintenance if a catastrophic failure occurs.
Here's how a Masters Plumbing Service sewer line call plays out β from your first call to a repaired, flowing sewer.
1
Call & Emergency Dispatch if Needed
Tell our dispatcher what you're experiencing β backed up fixtures, gurgling drains, sewage smell in the yard, slow drainage across multiple fixtures β so we arrive prepared.
2
CCTV Camera Scope
You watch the footage with the technician. We point out each observation and explain what it means for repair options before presenting any quote.
3
Repair Method Selection & Quote
Based on camera findings, we present the repair options appropriate for what was found β clearing and maintenance, trenchless lining, spot excavation, or full replacement β with flat-rate pricing for each. We explain the trade-offs between methods clearly.
4
Repair, Post-Scope & Permit Closeout
Required permits are closed out with the local inspection. You receive camera footage, written scope report, permit inspection sign-off, and warranty documentation.
Customer Reviews
What Ithaca, NY Homeowners Say About Our Sewer Work
β β β β β
My main sewer line backed up on a Saturday. Masters Plumbing Service came out within 2 hours, cleared the blockage with a cable machine to restore drain function, then ran the camera. The footage showed root intrusion at three clay tile joints between 22 and 46 feet from the cleanout. They presented a trenchless lining option vs. spot excavation at each joint with pricing for both. I went with lining β completed on Monday, camera confirmed clean and sealed joints, permits closed the following week.
β G. Walsh, Ithaca
β β β β β
We bought an older home in Ithaca and wanted the sewer scoped before closing. Masters Plumbing Service ran the full line, found an offset joint at 58 feet creating a partial obstruction and some root infiltration at three additional joints. Written report in hand, we negotiated a $4,200 repair credit from the sellers before closing. The scope paid for itself many times over.
β L. & P. Brennan, Ithaca, NY
β β β β β
Commercial building with a 6-inch main sewer line that had two prior clearing companies tell us we needed full excavation β a $28,000 estimate. Masters Plumbing Service scoped it, found root intrusion and some joint cracking but no pipe collapse or belly, and quoted trenchless lining as an option at roughly a third of that cost. Lining completed in two days. Post-cure scope confirmed excellent adhesion. That camera diagnosis saved us a lot of money.
β D. Kim, Ithaca, NY
Common Questions
Sewer Line FAQ β What to Know Before Calling
The only reliable answer comes from a CCTV camera scope. A sewer line that clears fully and shows no structural defects on camera needs maintenance, not repair. A line that shows joint offsets, collapsed sections, a belly (reverse grade), or severe pipe deterioration needs repair β because clearing will keep failing until the structural issue is addressed.
CIPP liners installed correctly are rated for 50+ years of service life. The epoxy composite material resists root intrusion and corrosion, and the seamless interior surface actually flows better than the original pipe it's installed inside. Long-term performance is well-documented in municipal infrastructure projects where lining has been the standard rehabilitation method for decades.
Cost varies significantly based on repair method, pipe length, depth, and access conditions. A camera scope runs $150β$350 as a standalone service. Root cutting and clearing runs $200β$600 depending on line length. Trenchless lining for a residential main sewer run typically ranges from $3,500 to $10,000+ depending on footage and pipe diameter. Spot excavation for a localized failure is typically $2,500β$6,000 depending on depth and surface restoration needed.
A wet, soft, or sunken area over the path of the sewer line often indicates an exfiltration leak β sewage escaping the line into the surrounding soil. This can happen from a cracked pipe, a failed joint, or a collapsed section. Soil saturation from a leaking sewer line eventually causes the ground above it to sink as the saturated soil shifts.
The inspection is actually in your interest β it independently verifies that the repair meets code requirements for grade, joint sealing, and pipe depth.
Often, yes β if the camera footage confirms the pipe is a candidate for trenchless lining. CIPP lining accesses the pipe through the existing cleanout or a small access point and installs the liner from inside the pipe β no trenching over the pipe run.
Service Area
Masters Plumbing Service Sewer Crew Covering Ithaca, NY
Our sewer technicians are familiar with the pipe ages, materials, and infrastructure conditions common in Ithaca neighborhoods, which speeds up diagnosis and repair planning.
Find Out What's Actually in Your Sewer Line β Call +1-855-718-1500
Don't pay for a clearing that won't hold, or an excavation quote based on guesswork. Masters Plumbing Service scopes first in Ithaca, NY so you know exactly what you're repairing before you spend anything.
