Seattle's Sewer Lining Specialists · Since 2005

Sewer Repair - Capitol Hill, Seattle

Seattle Select Sewers handles sewer repair on Capitol Hill, from early 1900s houses on quiet side streets to the older apartment and condo buildings packed across the hill. Sewer work is all we do. When a side sewer starts to fail, we find out exactly where and why with a camera, then tell you what it really needs.

Trenchless repair is usually the first option we check. On a dense block with mature street trees, a sidewalk and a neighbour’s fence a few feet away, avoiding a long trench matters. A trenchless sewer repair such as CIPP lining (a new pipe lining cured inside the old pipe) or a sewer pipe patch can fix many problems through one or two small access points. If the old pipe has collapsed, sagged badly or broken apart, a lining will not hold, and we will say so. Then a sewer replacement is the honest answer.

Signs your Capitol Hill sewer line needs attention

Sewer trouble rarely starts with a flood. It usually starts small. Watch for:

Toilets or tubs that drain slowly, or gurgle when another fixture runs.
Water coming up through a basement floor drain or the lowest shower in the house.
A sewage smell in the basement, crawl space or yard.
Clogs that come back a few weeks after the line was cleared.
Soggy or sunken spots in the parking strip or yard between the house and the street.
In a multi-unit building, several units reporting slow drains at the same time.

If you notice any of these during the wet season, roughly October to April, do not wait for a dry spell. Saturated soil and long stretches of rain put extra strain on a cracked or root-filled line, and heavy storms can push older sewers past their limit. Small problems often turn into backups at the worst time.

How we handle sewer repair on Capitol Hill

Camera inspection. We run a camera through your side sewer to see the pipe material, its condition and the exact spot of any break, root mass or blockage. Read more about our sewer inspections and locating.
A straight answer. We show you what the camera found and explain it in plain terms. If the line is in decent shape, we tell you that too. No exaggerating and no unnecessary work.
Repair options. We lay out the choices that fit your pipe, such as a patch, a full lining, a cleaning with hydro jetting, or a replacement, and explain why each one does or does not make sense.
Permit. Side sewer permits in Seattle are now handled by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). If your job needs one, we walk you through what that means for your project.
Warranty. Our projects come with a 20-year warranty.

Local considerations for Capitol Hill homes and buildings

Capitol Hill has some of the oldest housing in the city. Many houses date from the early 1900s, and a lot of their side sewers are still original clay or concrete pipe. Clay joints pull apart over time, and concrete can wear thin from the inside. Homes built or updated around the middle of the last century sometimes have Orangeburg pipe, a fibre pipe that tends to lose its shape with age. Cast iron turns up in some homes as well.

The hill’s big street trees are part of its character, but their roots go looking for water. A cracked joint under a parking strip is an easy way in. That is why we inspect before we recommend anything. Roots can sometimes be cleared and the pipe lined. A pipe that roots have already broken apart usually needs replacing.

Ownership matters here too. In Seattle the homeowner owns and maintains the side sewer from the house all the way to the city main, and in many cases that includes the section under the street. On a busy Capitol Hill street, opening up that section is disruptive for you and your neighbours, which is one more reason to check whether trenchless work fits first.

In a multi-unit building, one side sewer can serve several units, so a single weak spot can affect everyone. A camera inspection gives the owner a clear picture of the line before a backup reaches tenants.

Why Homeowners Choose Us

Why Capitol Hill homeowners call Seattle Select Sewers

We work with homeowners, landlords, real estate agents and home builders across the city. See our main Seattle sewer repair page or our full service area.

Sewer work only

We focus only on sewer work, so our crew knows side sewers inside and out.

Local since 2005

We have been working on Seattle sewers since 2005.

Licensed and bonded

Washington State L&I license #SEATTSS874JJ.

Trenchless when it fits

We lead with lining and patches, and recommend full replacement only when the pipe needs it.

20-year warranty

20-year warranty on our projects.

Free estimates

Start with a free sewer estimate.

FAQ

Capitol Hill sewer repair FAQs

Who is responsible for the side sewer on my Capitol Hill property?

You are. In Seattle the property owner owns and maintains the side sewer from the house to the city main, and that often includes the part under the street. The city looks after the main itself.

Can my sewer line be fixed without digging up the street or parking strip?

Often, yes. If the pipe is still in one piece and holding its shape, a lining or patch can repair it from small access points. If it has collapsed or sagged badly, it will need replacing, and we will tell you plainly.

Who issues side sewer permits in Seattle?

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) took over side sewer permits on 1 October 2025. Whether your job needs one depends on the work, and we will explain that when we go over your options.

Several units in my building have slow drains. Where do we start?

Start with a camera inspection of the building’s side sewer. When several units slow down together, the problem is often in the shared line rather than in each unit.

How do I know if roots are in my line?

Repeat clogs, gurgling and slow drains on a lot near big trees are common clues. A camera inspection confirms it and shows whether the pipe is sound enough to clear and line.

Proudly Serving the Puget Sound

Local Sewer Repair You Can Count On

We service the Greater-Seattle area covering the communities where older sewers need the most attention. Want to discuss your sewer issues? Feel free to give us a call and we're happy to help!