Sewer Line Repair & Replacement in Kirkland, WA
Backups, slow drains everywhere or a soggy yard? We camera-inspect your side sewer, show you the problem and fix it, trenchless when possible.
- Camera inspection so you see the problem
- Spot repair, lining or full replacement
- City side sewer permit handled
Sewer line repair in Kirkland, explained in 30 seconds
Green House Plumbing and Heating inspects, cleans, repairs and replaces side sewers for Kirkland homes, with trenchless options when the line allows. We are based at 12040 98th Ave NE in Kirkland (98034), work Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 9 pm, and offer same-day appointments when available.
In Kirkland, the homeowner owns the side sewer from the house all the way to the public main, including the part under the street. Most problems we find are tree roots in older clay or concrete joints, sagging sections that hold waste, and cracked or offset pipe.
We start with a camera inspection so you can see the problem yourself, then give you repair options and an upfront price.
Sewage coming up a drain? Do this first
These steps protect your home and your health until we arrive.
- Stop using water. No flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher. Every gallon you use comes back up.
- Keep people and pets away. Sewage carries bacteria. Wear gloves and do not touch it barehanded.
- Check if neighbors have it too. If several homes are affected, the public main may be blocked. Call the City's 24/7 line at 425-587-3900.
- Find your cleanout. A capped pipe near the foundation or in the yard. Do not open it if water is backed up behind it.
- Call us. We clear the line and camera-inspect it to find the cause.
Signs of a sewer line problem in Kirkland
Match what you see to the likely cause and how we fix it.
Drains back up in the lowest fixtures
- Likely cause
- Blockage in the main line or side sewer, often roots or wipes.
- How we fix it
- We clear the line, then camera-inspect it so you know why it happened.
Several drains slow at the same time
- Likely cause
- Partial blockage or a sag in the side sewer.
- How we fix it
- We clean the line and check for sags, breaks or root intrusion.
Clogs come back every few months
- Likely cause
- Tree roots growing into joints of older clay or concrete pipe.
- How we fix it
- We cut the roots and offer lining, a spot repair or replacement to stop it for good.
Sewer smell inside or in the yard
- Likely cause
- Cracked pipe, a dry trap or a loose cleanout cap.
- How we fix it
- We find the source with a camera and smoke or visual checks, then repair it.
Soggy patch or lush grass over the line
- Likely cause
- A broken or separated pipe leaking into the soil.
- How we fix it
- We locate the break and repair the section, trenchless where possible.
Gurgling toilets and drains
- Likely cause
- Air trapped behind a partial blockage in the main line.
- How we fix it
- We clear the blockage and check the venting.
Clean, repair or replace your sewer line?
The camera tells us which option makes sense. We show you the footage and the price of each.
Cleaning or a spot repair makes sense when
- The camera shows one blockage or light roots
- Damage is limited to one short section
- The rest of the pipe is in good shape
- You need the line working today and a plan for later
Replacement or lining makes sense when
- Roots or cracks run along much of the line
- Old clay or concrete pipe is breaking apart
- The line has a long sag that keeps clogging
- You are selling, buying or remodeling and want it done once
| Option | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning and root cutting | Clears the line with a cable or jetter | Fast fix, problem may return |
| Spot repair | Replaces one damaged section | Small excavation, keeps the rest of the line |
| Trenchless lining or bursting | New pipe inside or in place of the old one | Little digging, not every line qualifies |
| Open-trench replacement | Dig and replace the pipe | Best for collapsed or badly sagging lines |
Sewer line services in Kirkland
From the first camera look to a full new line.
Sewer camera inspection
Video of your side sewer with a clear explanation of what we see.
Sewer line cleaning
Root cutting and cleaning to restore flow.
Spot repair
Replacing one broken or offset section.
Trenchless repair and replacement
Lining or pipe bursting when the line qualifies.
Full side sewer replacement
New pipe from the house to the public main, with permits.
Root control
Root cutting plus a plan to stop roots coming back.
What Kirkland homeowners should know about side sewers
Who owns what, and where problems usually start.
You own the line to the main
Kirkland says the homeowner owns and maintains the side sewer from the public main to the house, including the section in the street.
Two sewer providers
Most of Kirkland is on City sewer, while northern areas are served by Northshore Utility District. If the public main is blocked, call your provider.
Mature trees, older pipe
Neighborhoods with big trees and older homes, such as Norkirk, Market, Highlands and Houghton, often have clay or concrete side sewers that roots can enter.
Only flush toilet paper
King County asks residents to flush only human waste and toilet paper. Wipes, even labeled "flushable", and grease cause many main line clogs.
Sewer line service across Kirkland neighborhoods
Sources: Kirkland Municipal Code 15.28, Side sewers, City of Kirkland, Wastewater, King County, Don't flush trash.
How a sewer line visit works
See the problem before you decide.
- Call or bookTell us which drains are backing up.
- Camera inspectionWe show you the video and mark the location.
- Options and priceClean, spot repair, lining or replacement, all priced.
- Permit and repairWe pull the City permit and do the work.
- Final checkA final camera run confirms the line is clear.
Who is responsible for the sewer line in Kirkland?
The homeowner. The City of Kirkland says the property owner owns and maintains the side sewer from the public main to the house, including the part in the street. The City maintains the public main.
Do I need a permit to repair my side sewer in Kirkland?
Yes. Kirkland Municipal Code 15.28 requires a City permit to construct, relay or repair a side sewer. We handle the permit as part of the job.
How do I know if my sewer line is damaged?
Common signs are backups in the lowest drains, several slow drains at once, gurgling, sewer smells and soggy spots in the yard. A camera inspection confirms the cause.
Can tree roots break a sewer line?
Roots enter through joints and small cracks in older clay or concrete pipe, then grow and block the line. Cutting them helps for a while, but lining or replacement stops them for good.
Is trenchless sewer repair possible for my home?
Often, yes. Lining or pipe bursting works when the line is not collapsed and has no major sags. The camera inspection tells us if your line qualifies. See our trenchless sewer line page.
What should I do if sewage backs up into my home?
Stop using water, keep people and pets away and call a plumber. If neighbors have the same problem, call the City's 24/7 Public Works line at 425-587-3900.
Should I inspect the sewer line before buying a home?
Yes, especially for older Kirkland homes with mature trees. A camera inspection shows roots, sags or breaks before you close.
Which areas near Kirkland do you serve?
All Kirkland neighborhoods, including Juanita, Finn Hill, Kingsgate, Totem Lake, Rose Hill, Houghton and Bridle Trails, plus Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville and Kenmore.
Get your sewer line flowing again
Same-day appointments when available, Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 9 pm.
What Kirkland Homeowners Say 
Homeowners across Kirkland trust Green House Plumbing and Heating for professional service, honest recommendations, and reliable results.
