Drain & Sewer Repipe in Santa Cruz

When patching one more leak stops making sense, repiping replaces the failing drain and waste lines for good. We repipe homes across Santa Cruz County. Licensed and insured, CSLB #914119.

Call (831) 777-5758 Talk to a Plumber Now

Jump to what you need:What a repipe is Signs you need one Old pipe, by era How the job runs FAQs

Drain repipe vs supply repipe — which is this?

Two different systems run through your house, and it is worth being clear which one we are talking about.

This page is about the drain and waste side — the pipes that carry water away: sink and tub drains, the branch lines, and the main waste stack out to the sewer or septic. If instead your supply lines are the problem — low pressure, rusty water, pinhole leaks in the pressurized pipes bringing water in — that is a copper repipe, a separate job.

A drain repipe replaces corroded, cracked, or repeatedly clogging waste lines with modern ABS. It is the right call when spot repairs have become a pattern rather than a one-off.

Signs your drain lines are failing

Repeated clogs in the same lines no matter how often they are cleared — corroded or bellied pipe that will keep catching debris.
Slow drains throughout the house rather than at one fixture, pointing to the main waste line.
Recurring backups, especially into a lower fixture or the shower.
Sewer gas smell from cracked or failed pipe or joints.
Leaks under the house or slab from waste lines that have corroded through.
Cast iron that is decades old. It corrodes from the inside, scaling shut over years until flow drops off.

Not sure whether you need a repair or a repipe? We camera the lines first and show you the footage, then tell you honestly which it is. A repipe is a big job and we do not recommend one you do not need. Call (831) 777-5758

What is in the ground, by when the house was built

Era	Typical drain material	What we see
Before 1950s	Cast iron, some clay	Interior corrosion and scaling, cracked joints, root intrusion at clay sections
1950s–1970s	Cast iron	Corroding from the inside, flow dropping off, joints failing
1970s onward	ABS plastic	Generally sound — usually spot issues, not whole-system failure

A great deal of Santa Cruz County housing falls in the cast-iron window, which is why drain repipes come up here more than in newer areas. Cast iron does not announce its failure — it slows down over years until one day a line stops.

How the job runs

Camera inspection. We scope the drain and waste lines and show you the footage, so the scope of work is based on what is actually there.
Plan and quote. A flat price for the work, and a clear picture of which lines are being replaced and how we reach them.
Access. We open only what we need — through the crawlspace where there is one, or targeted access where there is not.
Replace. Out with the corroded pipe, in with new ABS, properly sloped and supported.
Inspect and close up. Permitted work is tested and signed off, then we put things back.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as a copper repipe?

No. This is the drain and waste side — pipes carrying water away. Copper repipe is the supply side — pressurized lines bringing water in. See our copper repipe page if pressure or rusty water is your issue.

Do I have to repipe the whole house?

Not always. Sometimes the failing section is contained and a partial repipe solves it. The camera inspection tells us. We would rather do the smaller job if it genuinely fixes the problem.

How disruptive is it?

It depends on access. Homes with a crawlspace are far less disruptive than slab. We open only what is needed and put it back.

Do you pull permits?

Yes. Repipe work is permitted and inspected, which protects you at resale.

Where do you work?

Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Scotts Valley, and throughout the county. Our shop is on Potrero Street in Santa Cruz.