Your sewer line is failing. We can fix it without tearing up your yard, and in most cases, we’re done in a day.
Hockers Home Services has been repairing sewer lines across Green Bay, De Pere, and Northeast Wisconsin since 1978. We use advanced trenchless technology, CIPP pipe lining and pipe bursting, to repair or replace damaged sewer lines through small access points. No full trench. No torn-up yard.
Rated 4.8 stars across 1,900+ Google reviews. Licensed and insured. Financing available through Ally.
Why Green Bay & De Pere Sewer Lines Are Failing Right Now
If your home was built before 1980, your sewer lateral may be at or past the end of its design life. This is not a maintenance failure. It is a materials and geology reality specific to Northeast Wisconsin.
The Housing Stock
The bulk of residential development in De Pere and the greater Green Bay area happened between the late 1940s and mid-1970s. Sewer laterals installed during that era were predominantly clay tile terra cotta, laid in short sections with open joints or cast iron. Clay tile is brittle and joint-vulnerable. Cast iron corrodes from the inside over decades and is now hitting its 50–75 year failure window. A 1965 cast iron lateral is failing on schedule right now.
Freeze-Thaw Cycling
Northeast Wisconsin averages 90+ freeze-thaw cycles per year. Each cycle stresses underground pipe joints. Over decades this causes joint separation, pipe belly formation — low sags where waste collects and hairline cracking. Fox River Valley clay soils compound this: saturated in spring, contracting in freeze, they shift relative to buried pipe continuously.
Tree Root Intrusion
Green Bay and De Pere are mature, tree-lined communities. Roots seek out any micro-crack or open joint in a clay lateral. Once inside they thicken into dense mats that catch grease and solids, producing recurring backups that drain clearing alone cannot permanently resolve. If backups return within weeks of clearing, the pipe has structural damage. Our rooter service cuts roots mechanically; trenchless repair eliminates the entry points for good.
How Hockers Does Trenchless Sewer Repair
We access your sewer line through two small entry points. No trench. No full excavation. Here is the process:
| Video Camera InspectionA camera is fed into the line from a cleanout or access point. We pinpoint the exact damage, identify pipe material, measure the run length, and determine the correct repair method. This takes 30–60 minutes for most residential laterals. You see what we see. |
| High-Pressure Line CleaningHydro-jetting clears roots, grease, and debris. This prepares the pipe surface for the repair material and confirms flow capacity before structural work begins. |
| CIPP Lining or Pipe BurstingBased on inspection findings we apply one of two methods (see below). Access pits are small typically 12×12 inches at each end of the run. Most residential jobs complete in one working day. |
| Final Camera Inspection & Flow TestPost-repair camera confirms the liner or new pipe is correctly seated and sealed. Flow test run before we leave. Documentation provided. |
CIPP Lining vs. Pipe Bursting: Which Method Do You Need?
After camera inspection we select the right method. Here is how the decision works:
CIPP Pipe Lining best when your pipe still holds its shape
- Cracked but structurally intact clay or cast iron
- Root intrusion through joints
- Corrosion causing leaks
- Aging pipe that needs reinforcement without removal
A resin-saturated liner is inserted and inflated inside the existing pipe. Once cured it forms a seamless new pipe inside the old one. Engineered for 50+ year lifespan. No pipe removal required.
Pipe Bursting best when the pipe is beyond lining
- Collapsed or severely misaligned sections
- Pipe too deteriorated to hold a liner
- Undersized line that needs upsizing
- Orangeburg (tar-fibre) pipe in full failure
A bursting head fractures the old pipe outward underground while simultaneously pulling a new HDPE pipe into place. No large trench required. HDPE pipe is rated for 100 years.
Trenchless vs. Traditional Excavation: Cost Comparison
Trenchless repair costs more per linear foot. But total project cost — including restoration — is typically lower.
| Cost Factor | Traditional Excavation | Trenchless |
| Pipe repair / replacement | $2,000–$7,000 | $3,500–$12,000 |
| Driveway / concrete restoration | $1,500–$5,000+ | None |
| Landscaping restoration | $500–$3,000+ | None |
| Household disruption | 3–7 days | 1–2 days |
| Repair lifespan | Varies by material | 50–100 years |
Costs are national benchmarks. Call 920-659-0914 for an estimate. Financing available.
When to Call: Warning Signs of Sewer Line Failure
- Schedule an inspection if you notice any of these. They indicate structural pipe failure not a clog that clearing will fix:
- Sewage backing up into tubs, showers, or floor drains
- Multiple slow drains throughout the house simultaneously
- Gurgling toilets when other fixtures run
- Strong sewage odor indoors or near your foundation
- Recurring backups that return days or weeks after clearing
- Unexplained wet or sunken patches in your yard
- A strip of unusually lush, fast-growing grass across your yard
- Toilets bubbling when the washing machine drains
- If sewage is actively backing up into your home, call 920-659-0914 now. We answer live 24/7 and prioritise backed-up systems for same-day dispatch.
Don’t wait until it becomes a major blockage.
Related Services
- Not sure which service fits your situation? If you have a one-off blockage in an intact pipe, our drain clearing service may be the right first step. If the same backup returns within weeks, the problem is structural and trenchless repair is the permanent fix.
- When trenchless methods are not viable — fully collapsed pipe, severe misalignment, or access constraints — our full sewer line repair service covers traditional replacement. See our complete drain services for everything we offer across Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trenchless Sewer Repair
How long does trenchless sewer line repair take?
Most residential trenchless repairs complete in one day. Camera inspection takes 30–60 minutes. CIPP lining on a standard 4-inch lateral is typically done within a single working day. Pipe bursting on a longer or more complex run may take a full day to two days. We give you a time estimate after inspection, before work begins.
How much does trenchless sewer repair cost in Green Bay?
Most residential trenchless jobs run $3,500–$12,000 depending on pipe length, depth, condition, and access. While per-foot costs are higher than conventional digging ($80–$250/ft), you avoid driveway, concrete, and landscaping restoration which typically adds $2,000–$5,000+ to a conventional excavation job. Call 920-659-0914 for a no-obligation estimate.
Will trenchless repair work on my older Green Bay or De Pere home?
In most cases, yes. Homes built before 1970 in De Pere and Green Bay typically have clay tile or cast iron sewer laterals both strong candidates for CIPP lining or pipe bursting. The exception is a fully collapsed or severely misaligned pipe, which may need a short section of traditional excavation. A camera inspection determines the right approach.
What is the difference between CIPP lining and pipe bursting?
CIPP lining inserts a resin-saturated liner that cures into a new seamless pipe inside the existing one. Best for pipes that are cracked, corroded, or root-invaded but still structurally intact. Pipe bursting fractures the old pipe underground while pulling a new HDPE pipe into place. Best for collapsed, severely deteriorated, or undersized pipes. We select the method after camera inspection.
Does trenchless sewer repair damage my yard or driveway?
No. We access the pipe through two small entry points typically 12×12 inches at each end of the run. Your lawn, garden, driveway, and hardscape are left intact. This is especially valuable in De Pere and Green Bay neighbourhoods where established landscaping matters.
How long does a trenchless sewer repair last?
CIPP liners are engineered for 50+ years. HDPE pipe installed via pipe bursting is rated for 100 years. Both significantly outlast the original clay tile or cast iron they replace.
Do I need a permit for sewer line repair in Green Bay or De Pere?
In most Green Bay and De Pere sewer projects a plumbing permit is required. Hockers manages the permit process on your behalf as part of the job.
What is the difference between trenchless sewer repair and drain clearing?
Drain clearing removes a blockage from an otherwise intact pipe. Trenchless sewer repair fixes structural damage to the pipe itself cracks, corrosion, joint separation, or collapse. If recurring backups return weeks after clearing, the problem is structural. Trenchless repair is the permanent fix.
Can all sewer lines be repaired trenchlessly?
Not always. A camera inspection is required to determine suitability. Trenchless methods work in the majority of residential cases. Fully collapsed pipes, severe misalignment, or specific access constraints may require traditional excavation for part of the line. Hockers always recommends the most practical and cost-effective solution.
Why Green Bay & De Pere Homeowners Choose Hockers
Hockers Home Services has served Northeast Wisconsin since 1978 over 45 years of local sewer work. We are family-owned, not a franchise. We know Brown County’s housing stock, its soil conditions, and the failure patterns of the region’s aging infrastructure because we work in it every day.
- Family-owned and operated for 45+ years
- Licensed and insured technicians
- Camera diagnostic before any work is quoted
- Honest recommendations — we tell you if excavation is actually the better option
- Transparent pricing, no surprise invoices
- Financing available through Ally
- 4.8 stars · 1,900+ Google reviews
We serve Green Bay, De Pere, Appleton, Kimberly, Menasha, Howard, Pulaski, Shawano, Sturgeon Bay, Wrightstown, and more. See full service area.
Hockers Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical is proud to offer financing options through Ally!
We understand the wide variety of financial circumstances, and are proud to offer financing options in order to keep your home comfortable, starting today.
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