This page is about sewer and drain lines
For pressurized water-line slab leaks, Smith & Sons generally prefers rerouting the failed line when practical. Tunneling is reserved for drain and sewer breaks in our service model.
How a tunnel job starts
Before excavation, the sewer problem needs to be diagnosed and located. Camera inspection and locating help determine where the defect is and whether tunneling is the right access method.
Why exterior access can help
Tunneling can allow plumbing repair beneath the slab without making the finished floor above the pipe the primary work zone. Every property is different; soil, depth, access, structure, jurisdiction, and extent of failure all affect the job.
Permits and engineering
Smith & Sons handles permitting and coordinates engineering when required by the applicable project and jurisdiction. City-specific requirements are verified for the actual project location.
Communication matters
A tunnel repair is a large job. We want the customer to understand what failed, where it failed, why tunneling is recommended, what is being repaired, and what the next steps are.