Plumbing
Sewer line repair and camera inspection in Tampa Bay
Ground Up inspects sewer lines with a camera and repairs or replaces damaged sections in Tampa Bay homes: root intrusion, cracked or rotted cast iron, and sagging bellied lines. Buying an older house? A sewer scope before closing can head off surprises. Call or text 727-732-4357 or request a quote.
Updated
- 30+ years in the building industry
- 24/7 emergency line, nights, weekends, holidays
- 2 Florida state licenses: Plumbing CFC1431937, A/C CAC1817931
- Tampa Bay Plumbing and A/C, one call for both trades
01 — What we do
Sewer services
We start by seeing the problem on camera, then recommend the smallest repair that will actually hold up.
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Camera inspection
We run a camera through the line from a cleanout, find problems, and mark their location and depth from above ground.
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Home-purchase sewer scopes
For buyers, we inspect the line before closing and give you the footage and a plain-language summary.
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Root intrusion
We cut roots out of the line and, if they keep returning, explain repair options for the joint they're getting into.
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Cast-iron repair and replacement
We replace cracked, scaled, or rotted cast-iron sections with modern pipe.
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Bellied line correction
A sagging section that holds water and waste gets dug up and re-set to the right slope.
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Full sewer replacement
When the line is failing in several places, we replace it from the house to the connection.
02 — Signs
Signs of a sewer line problem
Sewer trouble usually shows up in more than one fixture at a time.
- Toilets gurgle or bubble when other fixtures drain
- Sewage backs up into a tub, shower, or floor drain
- Main line clogs keep coming back
- Sewage smell in the yard or near the cleanout
- A soggy, sunken, or unusually green patch of lawn over the sewer line
- Drains all over the house are slow at the same time
Local
Sewer lines under Tampa Bay yards
Many older Tampa Bay homes have cast-iron sewer and drain pipe. Cast iron can last a long time, but in Florida's warm, wet conditions it often corrodes from the inside, scaling up and eventually cracking along the bottom of the pipe. A camera inspection tells you whether yours is still sound or nearing the end.
Florida's sandy soil can shift and settle, and that's one way a sewer line develops a belly, a low spot where waste sits instead of flowing. Large trees send roots looking for water, and a small crack or loose joint in a sewer line is an easy target. Once roots get in, they catch debris and clogs follow.
If you're buying an older home, consider a sewer camera inspection before closing. A standard home inspection usually doesn't look inside the sewer line, and a problem there can be one of the more expensive surprises a new owner finds.
03 — Process
How a sewer job goes
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Camera first
We clear the line if needed, run the camera, and show you exactly what we see.
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Locate and explain
We mark where and how deep the problem is and walk you through the repair options.
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Permit and plan
When the job requires a permit, we pull it. We plan the dig around your yard, driveway, and landscaping.
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Repair and verify
After the repair, we run water and camera the line again to confirm it's flowing right.
Licensed for this work in Florida: Certified Plumbing Contractor CFC1431937 · Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1817931. Financing available. Ask us.
Should I get a sewer inspection before buying a house?
For older homes especially, it's worth considering. Most home inspections don't look inside the sewer line, and roots, cracked cast iron, or a belly can be costly to fix. A camera inspection before closing gives you footage and a clear picture, which can help you plan or negotiate.
Can tree roots break a sewer pipe?
Roots usually find a small crack or loose joint first, drawn by moisture. Once inside, they grow and catch debris, causing repeat clogs. Over time they can widen cracks and shift the pipe. Cutting roots clears the line for a while, but if they keep returning, repairing that section is the real fix.
What is a belly in a sewer line?
A belly is a sag: a section of pipe that has dropped lower than the pipe on either side, so waste and water collect there instead of flowing out. It causes slow drains and repeat clogs. Small bellies can sometimes be managed with regular cleaning; bigger ones usually need that section dug up and re-set.
How do I know if my cast-iron sewer pipe needs replacing?
A camera inspection is the only way to really know. Heavy scale, cracks, holes along the bottom of the pipe, or sections that have started to collapse point toward replacement. If the pipe is scaled but solid, cleaning may buy time. We'll show you the footage and tell you honestly which one it is.
Quote request
Get a quote: Sewer line repair
Tell us what's going on and how to reach you. A licensed tech (not a call center) gets back to you.
Need help right now? Call 727-732-4357. We answer 24/7.
Want to add photos or pick a time? Use the full contact form.
Talk to a licensed plumber or A/C tech
Call or text and tell us what's going on. Not urgent? Send a quote request or pick a time that works for you.
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