A black and white icon of a telephone with a hose attached to it.

Sewer Line Services in Union County, NJ — Cleaning, Repair & Camera Inspection

Sewage backing up, multiple drains failing, smell coming from the yard? Don't wait — and don't let anyone dig up your lawn before they camera-inspect first.

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A sewer line problem isn't just a clogged drain — it's the line that carries everything out of your home. When it fails, sewage backs up into the house, the yard turns into a soft spot, and the smell announces itself. Continental Plumbers has been clearing, inspecting, and repairing sewer lines across Union County since 1985. We camera-inspect first to find the exact problem — and we only dig where we have to, when we have to. Trenchless repair when the line allows.

NJ Master Plumber License #9142
Since 1985
4.7★
(1,377 reviews)
24/7 emergency
FREE camera inspection with sewer cleaning
Signs of a Sewer Line Problem

Six Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Help — Now

A snake-and-go visit only fixes the symptom. A proper cleaning addresses the cause. Here’s what we handle:

Multiple Drains Backing Up at Once

If sinks, toilets, and showers are slow or backing up at the same time, the problem isn't a single drain — it's the main line carrying everything out.

Sewage Coming Up Through Floor Drains or Tubs

Health hazard. Water rising in the lowest fixtures means the main line is fully or partially blocked. Stop using all water and call immediately.

Sewage Smell Inside or in the Yard

Strong, persistent sulfur or sewage odor — especially around floor drains, basement, or a soft patch of lawn. Often a cracked sewer line.

Wet, Soggy, or Greener Patch in the Yard

A line of grass that's noticeably greener (or soggy when it hasn't rained) often follows the path of a leaking sewer line.

A black and white drawing of a plate with a drop of water in the middle.
Recurring Main Line Clogs

You've had the main line snaked once, twice, three times — and it keeps coming back. Usually root intrusion or pipe damage. Camera inspection finds the cause.

Pests or Rats Around the Property

Cracked or broken sewer lines attract rodents. If you've started seeing them, the line may be the entry point.

Sewer Services We Handle

Every Sewer Line Service in One Phone Call

A real drain cleaning visit uses the right tool for the kind of clog you have. Here’s what we use and when:

Sewer Line Cleaning

Mechanical augering or hydro jetting to clear the main line. Restores flow and identifies the cause. FREE camera inspection included.

Video Camera Inspection

We send a camera through the line so you see exactly what's happening — roots, cracks, bellies, or collapse. No guessing, no exploratory digging.

Root Removal

Tree roots intrude through joints and cracks in older sewer lines. We mechanically cut them out — and identify where the line needs repair to keep them from coming back.

Hydro Jetting

High-pressure water (up to 4,000 PSI) scours years of buildup, grease, and root remnants from the pipe walls.

Sewer Line Repair

Patching cracks, fixing broken joints, or replacing damaged sections. Trenchless options when the line allows — minimal yard disruption.

Sewer Line Replacement

Full line replacement for older, collapsed, or severely damaged lines. Done with the least excavation possible.

Camera Inspect First — Then Decide

No Yard Digging Until We Know Exactly What's Wrong

A bad plumber digs first. A good plumber inspects first. Here’s how we approach every sewer call:

Four-step process:

Step 1
Diagnose the Symptoms
We ask what you've noticed — which drains, what smell, how long, any landscaping changes. Most sewer problems have a story.
Step 2
Camera Inspection
We feed a camera through your cleanout or main line. You see the line on a screen with us — the exact location, depth, and nature of the problem. No mystery.
Step 3
Honest Assessment
Sometimes it's a clog — clean it and you're done. Sometimes it's roots — we clear them and recommend prevention. Sometimes it's a broken section — we discuss trenchless repair vs. excavation. We give you both options with pricing.
Step 4
The Right Fix — No More, No Less
We don't replace lines that just need cleaning. We don't dig up lawns when trenchless will work. The honest answer is almost always cheaper than the easy answer.
Clean, Repair, or Replace?

The Honest Difference — and Which One You Actually Need

Three different situations, three different prices, three different conversations. We tell you which one you’re in:

We'll show you on the camera what we're seeing. No "trust us" — you decide with full information.

We Get It

The Sewer Concerns We Hear from Union County Homeowners

"I'm scared a plumber will dig up my yard 'looking' for the problem."

You should be. Some plumbers still dig blind — and then dig more if the first guess was wrong. We camera-inspect first, find the exact location and depth of the problem, and only dig where it's actually needed. Many sewer repairs can now be done trenchless — no yard destruction at all.

"My house is from the 1940s. I'm worried about my old cast-iron sewer line."

Reasonable. Many older Union County homes have cast-iron sewer lines that have served 70+ years — and many are reaching end-of-life. Camera inspection tells us condition: structurally sound, deteriorating, or actively failing. Then we plan accordingly — repair sections vs. full replacement.

"This is going to be a huge bill, isn't it?"

Sewer work can be expensive — but not always. A simple cleaning and root removal might be a few hundred dollars. A trenchless repair, a few thousand. A full excavated replacement is the highest-ticket option — and only necessary in specific cases. We give you the honest options before any work, with financing available through Wisetack.

"My tenant said sewage is backing up. What do I do?"

Tell them to stop using all water immediately. Then call (973) 900-0430. Sewage backups are health hazards — we dispatch fast, communicate with the tenant professionally, and document everything for your records and insurance.

Sewer Emergencies

24/7 Emergency Line: (973) 900-0430

These need immediate response — not next-day:

If sewage is visible inside your home, this is a health hazard. Stop using all water and call (973) 900-0430.

The Neighbor Difference

Why Union County Chooses Continental for Water Heater Repairs

Local since 1985

40+ years of sewer line work in Union County. We know what's under these yards.

Camera-first, always

We inspect before we dig — every time. You see what we see. No guessing.

Trenchless when possible

We use trenchless repair whenever the line allows. Minimal yard disruption, faster restoration.

Licensed & warrantied

NJ Master Plumber #9142. Sewer work is warrantied — if our repair fails, we come back at no charge.

Where We Serve

Sewer Line Services Across Union County

Don’t see your town? call (973) 900-0430

Sewer Line FAQs

Most repair calls same-day or next-day. No hot water situations and active leaks dispatched 24/7.

Honest answer — you usually don't until we diagnose. The age of the unit, the symptoms, and the condition of the tank all factor in. We tell you both options with pricing when we come out, so you can decide.

Yes. Tankless units have their own common issues — error codes, scale buildup, venting problems, ignition failures. We service all major tankless brands (Rinnai, Navien, Rheem, Bosch).

No — if anything, having a licensed plumber do the work keeps your warranty intact. DIY or handyman repairs are what void warranties. We document the repair for your records.

Often yes, especially in Union County where hard water is common. Sediment buildup is the #1 cause of popping/rumbling sounds. A proper flush can extend a unit's life significantly — and we'll tell you straight if your unit is too far gone for a flush to help.

Often yes, especially in Union County where hard water is common. Sediment buildup is the #1 cause of popping/rumbling sounds. A proper flush can extend a unit's life significantly — and we'll tell you straight if your unit is too far gone for a flush to help.