Full Sewer Line Replacement Services

When repair is no longer a viable option due to extensive collapse, corrosion, or structural decay, Heise's Plumbing provides comprehensive sewer line replacement services. Serving San Francisco and the Peninsula since 1954, we specialize in replacing entire sewer laterals from the building footprint to the municipal main connection.

Older properties in the Bay Area often rely on legacy materials like vitrified clay, cast iron, or bitumen-based Orangeburg pipes. Over decades, these materials degrade, scale, and collapse, leading to persistent sewer backups and structural hazards. A complete sewer line replacement ensures that your wastewater system is constructed with modern, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or schedule 40 PVC, which resist root intrusion, chemicals, and seismic activity for over 50 years.

We evaluate each property to determine the most effective replacement method. Where open excavation is necessary—such as under sidewalks or in cases of severe line bellies—our crews carefully excavate the path, lay code-compliant bedding material, install the new pipe with correct slope, and backfill with compacted soil to prevent settling. We manage all side-sewer permits and coordinate inspect runs with city inspectors.

Replacing a sewer lateral is a major investment that adds value and safety to your property. Heise's Plumbing is committed to providing upfront pricing, clean craftsmanship, and code-compliant installations. Our background-checked technicians work diligently to minimize downtime, restoring your system quickly and verifying its integrity with a thorough water-flow and camera test.

Common Problems We Resolve

• Severely corroded cast iron pipes with bottom channels completely worn out.
• Widespread structural collapse of old clay or Orangeburg lines.
• Failed sewer laterals that do not pass city-mandated sewer pressure tests.

Our Inspection & Diagnostic Protocol

We conduct a detailed video camera diagnostic of the entire line, mapping out the length, depth, and slope, and evaluating whether trenchless replacement or traditional excavation is required.

Our Professional Service Process

We obtain necessary public works permits, perform the excavation or pipe bursting, connect the new lateral to the building and street mains, test the line under pressure, and obtain final inspector approval.

Local Plumbing Considerations in the Bay Area

San Francisco mandates a Sewer Lateral Ordinance requiring property owners to inspect and, if necessary, replace their sewer lateral when selling the property or performing major renovations. Our team is fully certified to perform these inspections and code-compliant replacements.

Why Choose Heise's Plumbing

For over seven decades, Heise's Plumbing has set the standard for quality home services in San Francisco and the Peninsula. We are fully licensed and bonded (CA Contractor License #1089561) in General Engineering (A), Plumbing (C36), Electrical (C10), and HVAC (C20). Homeowners and property managers trust our neat, background-checked technicians and our straightforward, upfront pricing.