We repair cracked, broken, and root-damaged sewer lines. Camera-verified diagnosis, honest pricing, and work that holds up.
Not every sewer problem needs a full replacement. A lot of the time, the damage is in one section of the pipe and the rest of the line is fine. A targeted repair fixes the problem area without digging up your entire yard and without the price tag that comes with replacing the whole line.
We start every sewer repair job with a camera inspection so we know exactly where the damage is, what's causing it, and how far it extends. Then we show you the footage and walk you through your options. If a repair makes sense, we do the repair. If the line is too far gone and replacement is the better call, we'll tell you that too. We don't push the expensive option when a cheaper one works, and we don't patch something that's going to fail again in six months
RooterMan Services | Rhode Island's Trusted Drain Cleaning and Sewer Specialist
Sewer lines break for a lot of reasons. Tree roots force their way into joints and crack the pipe from inside. Old clay and cast iron pipes corrode and collapse after decades underground. Ground shifting settles pipes into low spots that collect waste and eventually fail. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: recurring backups, sewage smells, wet spots in the yard, and a problem that cleaning alone won't fix.
We handle sewer line repairs across Rhode Island, including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, Johnston, East Providence, and surrounding areas. We repair both residential and commercial sewer lines using the method that fits the situation, whether that's a spot dig to fix one section or a trenchless approach that avoids tearing up the property.
Repair methods we use:
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | Dig to the damaged section, cut it out, replace with new pipe | Isolated cracks, breaks, or root damage in one area |
| Pipe lining (CIPP) | Insert a resin-coated liner that hardens inside the existing pipe | Pipes with multiple cracks, joint issues, or minor corrosion |
| Pipe bursting | Pull a new pipe through the old one, breaking the old pipe apart | Pipes that are too deteriorated to line but accessible for pulling |
| Open trench repair | Excavate the full damaged section and replace the pipe | Collapsed pipes, severe bellies, or major structural failure |
Cleaning fixes blockages. These signs mean the pipe itself is the problem.
If we clean your sewer line and it clogs again within weeks or months, something structural is causing it. A belly in the pipe that traps waste, a crack that lets roots grow back in, or an offset joint that catches debris. At that point, cleaning is treating the symptom, not the cause, and repair is what actually solves it.
A sewer line that's cracked or separated underground leaks waste into the soil around it. You'll smell it before you see it, especially on warmer days. If there's a persistent sewage odor near your sewer line path and nothing is backing up inside the house, the pipe is likely broken and leaking below ground.
A leaking sewer line saturates the ground above it. Over time, the soil erodes and sinks, creating soft spots or visible depressions in the lawn. If you've got an area of your yard that's always soggy or has dropped without explanation, the sewer line running underneath is worth checking.
This one sounds unrelated, but a leaking sewer line near your foundation can wash away the supporting soil over time and cause the foundation to shift. If you've noticed new cracks in your foundation walls or floors and you also have recurring drain issues, the two might be connected.
Sometimes you find out about sewer line damage during a routine inspection or a camera check after a cleaning. The pipe might be functional right now, but if the camera shows cracks, heavy corrosion, root intrusion at the joints, or a section that's starting to collapse, a repair now costs a fraction of what it'll cost after a full failure.
Recurring backups, sewer smells, or camera footage showing damage? Let's fix the actual problem, not just the symptoms.
Sam H. came out to replace a gas shut-off valve. Super friendly and knowledgeable. Said it would take an hour, but he was in and out in 45 minutes — had everything he needed with him. Definitely 5-star service. Would use them in the future and highly recommend.
Amazing workmanship! This company is an absolute pleasure. Kevin and his team did an incredible job fixing my boiler, oil tank and old plumbing issues. They worked non-stop, will definitely have them back for anything else I need. Thank you!
I used Rooter Man for help emptying out my parents' house. They were able to provide quick service, were fairly priced, and a pleasure to work with. I'd definitely give them my highest recommendation.
Such a pleasure to have Mark work in my home. He came right out to assess the problem and thankfully the procedure was repairable within the day. Mark was very pleasant, professional, respectful and an amazing worker. A great clean job. Absolutely will use this company again.
I've been using Rooterman for 20 years and am still very impressed by their promptness, customer service, and expertise.
I received extremely prompt service from Rooterman Plumbing of Johnston, R.I., in addition to the low price they gave me. I highly recommend them to anyone! They were courteous and highly professional. Nice to see there are still pros nowadays!
Excellent service, came when expected, took about an hour. Spoke with Mark. Fixed an old toilet with lime build-up and debris blocking water jets. Also provided quotes for a new toilet. Would recommend them.
Bert and Kevin came quickly and did a wonderful job putting in a new heating unit that works like a gem. They were professional and personable, and it was a pleasure to meet them. They did a great job!
Clear answers so you know what to expect before scheduling our service.
It varies depending on the repair method, how deep the pipe is, where the damage is located, and how much of the line needs work. A spot repair on a shallow section costs significantly less than a trenchless lining of a full sewer line. We give a detailed estimate after the camera inspection so you know the exact cost before we start.
It comes down to how much of the pipe is damaged. If the problem is in one or two spots and the rest of the line is in decent shape, repair makes sense. If the camera shows damage throughout the entire line, cracking everywhere, heavy corrosion from end to end, or multiple collapsed sections, replacement is usually the smarter investment. We'll show you the footage and give you an honest recommendation.
It depends on the repair method. Spot repairs require digging to the damaged section, but it's a targeted excavation, not your whole yard. Trenchless methods like pipe lining can sometimes fix the line with minimal to no digging. We'll recommend the least invasive approach that actually solves the problem.
Most spot repairs take a single day. Pipe lining can take 1 to 2 days depending on the length of the section and the curing time for the liner. More involved repairs with deep excavation can run 2 to 3 days. We'll give you a timeline before we start so you can plan around it.
A properly done repair should last decades. New PVC pipe sections and cured-in-place liners both have lifespans of 50+ years. The key is making sure the repair addresses the root cause, not just the visible damage. That's why we always run a camera before and after to confirm the job is right.
Local experts. Reliable service. Guaranteed results.
