Emergency Sewer Repair & Replacement in Sherman Oaks

A clogged sink is a drain problem. Sewage coming up in the shower, toilets gurgling when the washer drains, or a backup that keeps returning a few weeks after it was cleared usually means the main sewer line itself is in trouble. That is the line that carries everything from your house to the city sewer, and when it cracks, sags or fills with roots, it needs more than another snaking.

Sherman Oaks has a lot of sewer lines that are past their prime. South of Ventura Boulevard, hillside homes often have long laterals running down steep lots past mature trees, and roots find every clay or cast iron joint. In the flats toward Magnolia and Burbank Boulevards, many mid-century houses sit on slabs, so part of the line runs under the house. Flood Brothers Plumbing is headquartered a few minutes east in Studio City, so we know these streets and these pipes well.

Signs the main line needs repair, not just a cleaning

• Backups that come back weeks after the line was cleared
• Sewage or dirty water in the shower, tub or a floor drain when another fixture runs
• Gurgling toilets and several drains slowing down at the same time
• A sewage smell outside, or a soggy, extra-green strip of lawn over the sewer path
• A camera inspection that shows cracks, offset joints, sags or a collapsed section

Only one slow sink or tub? That is usually a job for drain cleaning in Sherman Oaks. Roots or a stubborn main-line clog that just needs clearing? See rooter service in Sherman Oaks. This page is about what comes next, when the pipe itself has failed.

We look before we dig: sewer camera inspection

Every sewer repair starts with a camera. We run it through a cleanout, show you what we see on screen and explain it in plain language: where the roots are getting in, where a joint has separated, or where the line has sagged and holds water. Then you get your options with upfront pricing before any work begins.

Sewer repair and replacement options

• Spot repairs – when the damage is limited to one section, we replace just that section instead of the whole line.
• One-day trenchless sewer replacement – when the line has failed along much of its length, we can replace it in one day through small access openings instead of a trench across your yard, driveway or landscaping.
• Traditional replacement – some lines have to be dug up, for example when the slope is wrong. If yours is one of them, we will tell you plainly and explain why.
• Sewer cleanout installs – adding a cleanout gives easy access to the line, so future service is faster and less messy.
• Emergency clearing first – if the house is backing up tonight, we get the line flowing so you can use your plumbing, then plan the permanent repair.

How an emergency sewer call works

1. Call 855-840-7800, any hour. A live person answers 24/7. Stop running water in the house and keep kids and pets away from any sewage.
2. Same-day visit, guaranteed. We protect your floors, find the cleanout and get the line flowing again.
3. Camera and explain. You see the problem on screen and we tell you what it means.
4. You choose the fix. Spot repair, trenchless or traditional replacement, with upfront pricing before we start.

Why Sherman Oaks homeowners trust us with their sewer line

Flood Brothers Plumbing was founded by third-generation plumber Giovanni Longo, starting with a single truck and the hard sewer and drain calls other plumbers did not want. More than 15 years later we are still family-owned and operated, licensed, bonded and insured (CA Lic #985488), and every job is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Homeowners rate us about 4.8 stars from 1,000+ Google reviews. If sewage has already reached your floors, we also handle cleanup and drying, and we work with your insurance company directly. See flood and water damage repair in Sherman Oaks.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my sewer line needs replacing or just cleaning?
A camera inspection tells you. If the line is sound and only clogged, cleaning is enough. If the camera shows cracks, separated joints, sags or a collapsed section, the problem will keep coming back until that part of the pipe is repaired or replaced. We show you the video and explain your options with upfront pricing.

What is one-day trenchless sewer replacement?
It is a way to replace a failing sewer line through small access openings instead of digging a trench along the whole run. The replacement is done in one day, and most of your lawn, driveway and landscaping stays in place. The camera inspection tells us whether your line is a good fit.

Sewage is coming up in my shower. What should I do right now?
Stop using water anywhere in the house, keep kids and pets away from the area and call 855-840-7800. A live person answers 24/7 and same-day service is guaranteed. We clear the main line, run a camera to find the cause and help with cleanup if sewage reached your floors.

Do you install sewer cleanouts?
Yes. Many older Sherman Oaks homes have no easy access to the main line. Adding a cleanout makes clearing and camera inspections faster and cleaner, and it can make future service less expensive.

Will I know the price before you start?
Yes. You get upfront pricing before any work begins, and every job is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If we find something unexpected, we stop and talk with you first.

More from Flood Brothers in Sherman Oaks: all Sherman Oaks plumbing services, 24/7 emergency plumber, rooter service, drain cleaning and flood and water damage repair.

Main sewer line backing up in Sherman Oaks? Call Flood Brothers Plumbing at 855-840-7800 any time, or text us a photo.