Drain repair in Greenville and the Upstate
Drain repair for lines that keep clogging or leak under the house. We find the damaged section and fix that, not the whole system.
How do I know if my drain line is broken?
Signs include clogs that return soon after cleaning, sewage smells, wet spots or standing water under the house or in the yard, and gurgling drains. A camera inspection shows exactly where the pipe is cracked, sagging or broken. Ethical Plumbing gives you repair options with written prices. Call 864-438-0525.
- Camera diagnosis
- Spot repairs
- Section replacement
- Cast iron and PVC
Fix the damaged section, not the whole house
Drain lines fail in a few predictable ways. Cast iron rusts through from the inside and cracks along the bottom. Pipe sags where the ground underneath settles, holding water and waste. Joints separate, letting water out and roots in. Each of these causes clogs that come back no matter how often the drain is cleaned.
A camera inspection tells us which problem you have, where it is and how long the damaged stretch is. Most of the time the answer is a spot repair or replacement of one section, not the entire line. If the whole run is failing, we explain that and price a full replacement.
Signs of a damaged drain line
Call when you notice:
- Clogs that return within weeks
- Sewage smell in the house or yard
- Water or wet soil under the house
- Gurgling from drains or toilets
- Slow drains throughout the house
- Pests or insects around drains
Common drain line problems
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Photo: Cracked cast iron
Cracked cast iron
Older cast iron rusts through along the bottom of the pipe.
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Photo: Bellies and sags
Bellies and sags
Low spots where settling soil let the pipe sink and hold water.
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Photo: Separated joints
Separated joints
Joints that have pulled apart, leaking water and letting roots in.
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Photo: Root damage
Root damage
Roots that widen joints and crack pipe as they grow.
Drain lines in Upstate homes
Many Upstate homes built before the 1970s have cast iron drains under a crawl space or slab. Red clay soil expands when wet and shrinks in dry summers, and that movement is a common cause of sags and separated joints. Crawl space homes are usually the easiest to repair, since the pipe is accessible. Slab homes may need access through the floor, and we explain those options up front.
What affects the price of a drain repair
You get a written price before work starts. It depends on:
- Where the damage is: crawl space, slab or yard
- Length of the damaged section
- Pipe material and size
- Depth and access
- Restoring floors or landscaping
How a visit works
You book a time
Online or by phone. We confirm your arrival window and text when the plumber is on the way.
We find the cause
A licensed plumber diagnoses the problem and explains it in plain terms.
You choose, in writing
You get your options side by side with written prices. Nothing starts until you approve.
We fix it and walk you through it
Clean work area, tested result, and a walkthrough before we leave.
Recent drain repair jobs
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Before
Before AfterAfter Caption: the problem, the fix, and the town
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Before
Before AfterAfter Caption: the problem, the fix, and the town
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Before
Before AfterAfter Caption: the problem, the fix, and the town
Why homeowners call Ethical Plumbing for drain repair
Every job starts with a diagnosis from a licensed plumber, not a sales pitch. We explain what we found in plain terms, show you the options side by side, and put the prices in writing before anything starts. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we say so.
We treat your home like a job site that people live in: shoe covers on, work area protected, cleaned up before we leave, and a walkthrough of what we did. Ethical Plumbing has served the Upstate since 2010, and our team brings 100+ years of combined plumbing experience. You can meet our plumbers or read what customers say.
What customers say
Every review here is from a real customer. Names are shortened for privacy.
Scott and Dorian were very knowledgeable, professional and thorough. We were given a detailed explanation of the work needed.
Nick was very thorough explaining our options, and didn't track in dirt on our floors.
Tristan was very knowledgeable and professional from our initial conversation to the follow up when the work was complete.
Drain repair across the Upstate
We repair drain lines in 7 counties across the Upstate and western North Carolina. Towns with a local page are linked.
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Greenville County, SC
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Spartanburg County, SC
- Spartanburg
- Boiling Springs
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Pickens County, SC
- Easley
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Anderson County, SC
- Anderson
- Powdersville
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Henderson County, NC
- Hendersonville
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Polk County, NC
- Tryon
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Transylvania County, NC
- Brevard
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Also serving
- Seneca, SC
- Gray Court, SC
Drain repair FAQs
Why does my drain keep clogging after it is cleaned?
Usually because the pipe itself is damaged: a sag, crack or root intrusion that catches waste. A camera inspection shows which one.
Can a cracked drain pipe be repaired without replacing it all?
Often, yes. A damaged section can be cut out and replaced, leaving the healthy pipe in place.
How long does cast iron drain pipe last?
Often 50 to 70 years, though it varies with water and soil. Many Upstate homes built mid-century are reaching that point.
Do you repair drains under a slab?
Yes. We explain the options, including access through the floor or rerouting, and their prices before starting.
What is a belly in a drain line?
A low spot where the pipe has sunk, so water and waste sit there instead of draining. It causes repeated clogs.
Will homeowner's insurance cover drain repair?
Policies vary. Many cover resulting water damage but not the pipe itself. We can provide camera footage for your claim.
How long does a drain repair take?
Most spot repairs in a crawl space take a day or less. Slab and yard repairs take longer.
Do you offer sewer line replacement?
Yes. See our sewer line repair page, and ask about $100 off a full sewer line replacement.
Ready when you are
Tell us what's going on.
A Master Plumber will find the cause, explain it in plain terms, and put your options in writing before any work starts.
- Serving the Upstate since 2010
- Licensed Master Plumbers
- Written prices, every job