Sewer lines, water lines, drainage and septic repair
Plumbing Excavation Services in Metro Detroit
When a sewer line collapses, a water line breaks underground or a yard needs a drain, the job starts with digging. Drain Detectives is a licensed plumbing company with its own excavating equipment, so the same crew that finds the problem digs it up and fixes it. Serving Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and southern St. Clair County from Fraser.
Family owned, licensed, bonded and insured. Emergency calls answered 24/7.
Quick answer: Plumbing excavation is digging done to reach, repair or replace underground pipes. Drain Detectives excavates for sewer line repair and replacement, water service lines, french drains and drain tile, sump discharge lines and septic system repair and installation. Because we are plumbers and excavators in one company, we camera the line first, dig only where the problem is, and handle the repair without a second contractor.
What we dig for
Sewer line repair and replacement
Collapsed, cracked, offset or root-damaged sewer lines between the house and the city connection.
Water line repair and installation
Leaking or failed underground water service lines, and new lines to the house.
French drains and yard drainage
Trenching for exterior french drains, drain tile and runoff that collects against the foundation.
Basement waterproofing
Digging along the foundation so exterior drainage can be installed or repaired.
Sump discharge lines
Running or replacing buried discharge lines so pumped water leaves the property.
Septic system repair and installation
Excavation for septic repairs and new systems. We do not pump or clean septic tanks.
Why hire a plumber that does its own excavating
Many plumbing jobs that need digging get split between two companies: a plumber to find the problem and an excavator to dig. That means two schedules, two bills and a hole that may sit open while they coordinate. With Drain Detectives, one crew handles the diagnosis, the excavation, the pipe work and the backfill.
Camera first, dig second
A sewer camera inspection locates the break so we dig in the right spot instead of trenching the whole yard.
One crew, one schedule
No waiting on a separate excavating contractor to show up.
Licensed plumbing work
The pipe repair is done by a Michigan licensed plumbing contractor.
How a plumbing excavation job works
- Diagnose the problem. We find the cause with a camera inspection, leak signs or the symptoms you describe, and confirm digging is the right fix.
- Mark utilities. Michigan requires underground utilities to be marked through MISS DIG 811 before digging. That happens before any excavation starts.
- Quote and approve. We explain the repair and the price, and nothing starts until you approve it.
- Excavate and repair. We dig to the pipe, make the repair or replacement and inspect the work.
- Backfill. The excavation is filled and the work area is cleaned up.
How pricing works
- Service call fee. There is a fee for the visit to diagnose the problem and quote the job. That fee is applied to the work if you decide to go ahead.
- No free estimates. Depth, length, soil, access and what is in the way all change the cost, so we diagnose before we quote.
- You approve the price first. No digging starts until you have agreed to the price.
Plumbing excavation near you
We work from 18260 Malyn Blvd in Fraser and handle excavation for homes and businesses throughout Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and southern St. Clair County.
Plumbing excavation FAQs
Do you do your own excavating?
Yes. Drain Detectives has its own excavating equipment, so the same company that diagnoses the problem also digs and makes the plumbing repair.
What kinds of jobs need excavation?
Common ones are sewer line repair and replacement, underground water line repair, french drains and drain tile, sump discharge lines and septic system repair or installation.
Do you have to dig up my whole yard?
Usually not. We camera the line first to find the problem so we can dig in the right place. If the camera shows the line can be fixed without digging, we will tell you.
Who marks the utility lines before you dig?
Michigan requires buried utilities to be marked through MISS DIG 811 before excavation. Utility marking happens before we start digging.
Do you pump septic tanks?
No. We excavate for septic system repair and installation, but we do not pump or clean septic tanks.
Are you licensed?
Yes. Drain Detectives LLC is a Michigan licensed plumbing contractor, license 8004261, and is bonded and insured. You can verify the license through the State of Michigan LARA license lookup.
Need a line dug up and fixed?
Call the line for your county and tell us what is going on. We will find the problem and quote the repair.
Prefer to write? Use the contact form and we will reach out. Read what customers say in our reviews.
Michigan Licensed Plumbing Contractor #8004261. Master Plumber Luke A. Will, #8113104.
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Drain Detectives LLC has served Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties for 25 years. Work is led by master plumber Luke A. Will, Michigan license 8113104.
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