Under-Slab Drain Line Repair
& Replacement in Killeen, TX
Broken drain lines after foundation leveling, or old cast iron that keeps clogging? We find the problem with a camera, show you the video, and repair or replace the line by tunneling or through the slab, whichever makes sense for your home.
Who Usually Needs Under-Slab Drain Work
Most of the drain line jobs we do under a slab start one of two ways.
Homes That Were Recently Leveled
- Foundation leveling moves the slab, and drain lines underneath can crack or pull apart
- Slow drains, backups, or sewer smells showing up after foundation work
- A camera inspection shows whether a line broke and exactly where
Older Homes With Cast Iron Drains
- Cast iron corrodes from the inside and eventually cracks or rots through
- Frequent clogs and slow drains that keep coming back
- Once it's at the end of its life, replacing the lines is the lasting fix
Signs of a Broken or Failing Drain Line
If these sound familiar, the problem may be under the slab rather than in the drain itself.
Clogs That Keep Coming Back
You've had the drain cleared, and a few weeks later it's clogged again.
Slow Drains Throughout the House
More than one fixture drains slowly, which often points to the main line rather than a single trap.
Backups or Gurgling
Water backs up into a tub or shower, or drains gurgle when a toilet is flushed.
Sewer Smells Indoors
A sewer odor with no obvious source can mean a cracked or separated line under the floor.
How We Repair Drain Lines Under a Slab
See it, plan it, fix it. And you get a written estimate before any work starts.
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Camera Inspection
We run a camera through the drain line to see exactly what's wrong: a crack, a separated joint, a collapsed section, or worn-out cast iron.
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Locate the Problem
A locator pinpoints where that spot sits under the house, so we dig in the right place the first time. You can have copies of the camera video to see it for yourself.
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Written Estimate
We explain what we found, how we'd get to it, and what it will cost, in writing, before any work begins.
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Repair or Replace the Line
Depending on the location and how hard it is to reach, we get to the line by tunneling under the house or by cutting through the slab, then repair the broken section or replace the drain lines.
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Backfill and Concrete
We handle the backfill. For the concrete, you choose: our crew can do it, or you can hire your own concrete contractor.
Tunneling or Through the Slab?
Both work. Which one we recommend depends on where the problem is and what needs to be done.
Cutting Through the Slab
- Best for a single break in a spot that's easy to reach
- We open the floor right above the problem
- A good fit for smaller, localized repairs
Tunneling Under the House
- Best when the problem is hard to reach from inside
- We dig in from outside and work under the foundation
- Replacing all of the drain lines under a house, like worn-out cast iron, is a tunneling job
Why can't drain lines be rerouted like water lines? Water lines are under pressure, so we can run them overhead through the attic. Drain lines rely on gravity and have to slope downhill to carry waste out, so they have to stay under the slab. If your problem is a leaking water line instead, see our slab leak repair page.
Under-Slab Drain Questions
How do you find the problem in a drain line under the slab?
We run a camera through the drain line to see exactly what's wrong, whether it's a crack, a separated joint, a collapsed section, or cast iron that has rotted through. A locator pinpoints where that spot sits under the house, so we know exactly where to dig. We can give you copies of the camera video so you can see it for yourself.
Do you tunnel or break through the slab?
It depends on where the problem is and how hard it is to reach. A single break in an easy-to-reach spot can often be repaired by cutting through the slab right above it. When the problem is under a hard-to-reach area, or the whole drain system needs replacing, tunneling under the house from the outside is usually the better way in.
Why do cast iron drain lines need to be replaced?
Cast iron drain pipe has a limited lifespan. As it ages, the inside corrodes and scales up, which causes frequent clogs and slow drains, and eventually the pipe cracks or rots through. Once it reaches that point, clearing clogs only buys time, and replacing the drain lines is the lasting fix. Replacing all of the drain lines under a house is a tunneling job.
My house was just leveled. Could my drain lines be damaged?
It happens. Foundation leveling moves the slab, and drain lines underneath can crack or pull apart at the joints in the process. If you're noticing slow drains, backups, or sewer smells after foundation work, a camera inspection will show whether a line was broken and exactly where.
Who takes care of the concrete and backfill?
We handle the backfill. For the concrete, it's up to you: our crew can do the concrete work, or you can hire your own concrete contractor.
How much does under-slab drain repair cost?
It depends on what the camera shows, where the problem is, and whether it's a spot repair or a full replacement. You get a written estimate before any work begins, so you know what you're agreeing to before we start.
Under-Slab Drain Repair Across Central Texas
Based in Killeen and serving homeowners, landlords, and property managers in Fort Hood, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville, Belton, Temple, Kempner, Salado, and surrounding communities.
Drains Acting Up After Leveling, or Old Cast Iron?
A camera inspection shows exactly what's going on under your floor. Give us a call and we'll take a look.