Built for San Juan winters
Boilers and radiant heat that run all winter, high-altitude water heaters at 6,512 ft, and frozen lines — we know your climate.
Sewer & Drain in Durango
From the sink trap to the street or the tank
Every drain in your home ends up in one place: a sewer main under the street, or a septic tank and leach field out back. In and around Durango you’ll find both, along with clay and cast-iron lines in older neighborhoods, cottonwood and willow roots hunting for water, and ground that heaves when it freezes. When something goes wrong, it’s usually in the part of the system you can’t see.
We start with the simplest fix that will actually last. Slow or blocked fixtures get drain cleaning. When a camera shows a cracked, sagging or root-filled pipe, we move to sewer line repair, often without trenching the yard. For homes off the city system, septic repair covers the tank, baffles, lines and drain field.
- See It on Video Camera footage shows you exactly what’s wrong.
- Less Digging Trenchless repair when the line allows it.
- City or Septic Sewer mains and septic systems alike.
Symptom Check
Signs the problem is past the fixture
When more than one drain acts up, the trouble is usually in the main line or the tank.
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Several Slow Drains
Tub, sink and toilet all sluggish at the same time.
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Backup in the Lowest Drain
Water rising in a basement floor drain or shower first.
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Gurgling Toilets
Trapped air in a partly blocked or poorly vented line.
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Sewage Smell Outside
Odor near the cleanout, the tank lid or over the drain field.
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Lush or Soggy Patches
Greener grass or wet ground along the line’s path.
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Clogs That Return
A line that backs up every few months has a structural problem.
Our Sewer & Drain Services
Drains, sewer lines and septic, handled
Pick a service for the details, or call and we’ll start with a diagnosis.
- Drain Cleaning Sinks, tubs, toilets, floor drains and main lines cleared.
- Sewer Line Repair Cracked, broken, sagging and root-damaged lines repaired or replaced.
- Trenchless Sewer Repair Pipe lining and bursting that spare your yard and driveway.
- Septic Repair Tanks, baffles, inlet lines and drain fields restored.
- Camera Inspection Video of the line so repairs are based on evidence.
- Hydro Jetting Grease, scale and roots scoured from the pipe wall.
How It Works
Our approach to sewer and drain problems
Clear it, look at it, then decide what it really needs.
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Tell Us What’s Backing Up
Which drains, how often, and whether you’re on sewer or septic.
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Restore the Flow
We clear the blockage so the house is usable again.
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Inspect the Line
For repeat or main-line problems, the camera shows the pipe’s condition.
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Plan the Repair
If the line needs work, you get options and prices before anything is dug.
Durango crews. Mountain‑tough service.
Why Durango homeowners choose Element
Local to Southwest Colorado
A real office on Turner Drive and crews serving Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio, Hesperus and Pagosa Springs — not a call center.
Licensed in Colorado
Colorado Plumbing Contractor PC.0004697 and Master Plumber MP.03001859, with every job backed by our full service guarantee.
Here 24/7
Burst pipe at 2 a.m. or a cold boiler on a Sunday — a real technician answers the call.
Drains backing up into the house?
Our Durango crew answers 24/7. Ask about the $83 drain clearing offer.
Maintenance Membership
Ready for San Juan winters.
Seasonal checkups for every system in your home.
Seasonal checkups catch small problems before they become emergencies — and keep your systems running efficiently all year.
- Annual whole-home plumbing inspection
- Water heater flush & safety check
- Seasonal boiler tune-ups
- Priority scheduling for members
- Member savings on repairs
Sewer and drain questions from Durango homeowners
How do I know if the problem is a drain or the sewer line?
If only one fixture is slow, it’s probably a local clog in that drain. If several fixtures back up together, especially the lowest ones in the house, the main line is the likely culprit. A camera inspection confirms it. Start with drain cleaning and we’ll take it from there.
Do tree roots really get into sewer pipes?
Yes. Roots find the moisture leaking from loose joints and cracks, then grow inside the pipe until it blocks. Older clay lines are especially vulnerable. We can cut the roots out or clear them with hydro jetting, but if they keep returning, a lined or replaced pipe is the long-term fix. See trenchless repair.
Is my home on sewer or septic?
Homes inside Durango city limits are typically on municipal sewer, while many properties out toward Bayfield, Hesperus and Ignacio use septic. Your property records or a monthly sewer charge on your utility bill will usually tell you. If you’re unsure, our technician can find out during the visit.
Do I need to dig up my yard to fix a sewer line?
Not always. Many damaged lines can be lined or burst and replaced from one or two small access points, leaving landscaping and driveways intact. Collapsed sections, severe sags or certain pipe materials may still need excavation. The camera tells us which method fits your line.
Is there a drain cleaning special?
Yes. Our $83 drain clearing offer covers one accessible line through an existing cleanout or fixture, and if we can’t clear it, you don’t pay. It’s for residential customers and can’t be combined with other offers. Mention it when you call.
*Offers cannot be combined with other promotions or applied to dispatch fees. No cash value. Must present offer at time of service. Call for details.