Sewer Installation in Richmond, VA

Nearly 50 Years of Residential Plumbing. Third-Generation Family Ownership.

A sewer installation is one of the most consequential plumbing projects a homeowner can face. The contractor you choose affects how that system performs for years to come. R.J. Tilley Plumbing & Remodeling has been handling residential plumbing in the Richmond, VA area since 1976, when Rick and Judy Tilley founded the company. Now in its third generation of family leadership, the same team manages every stage of your project, from the first camera inspection through permitting coordination, installation, and final walkthrough.

We’re licensed, insured, and carry an A+ BBB rating. Our pricing is upfront before work begins, with no surprise charges. If your situation can’t wait, our 24-hour emergency line is available.

Don’t wait for a sewer emergency. Call (804) 979-2525 to speak with our team or send us a message online.

Why Richmond Homeowners Trust R.J. Tilley Plumbing & Remodeling for Sewer Work

Sewer installation involves underground work, city permitting, and a connection to Richmond’s municipal system. That’s not a project to hand off to a crew you’ll never see again. Our team members average long tenure, with some carrying over 42 years of hands-on experience. Three generations of Tilley family leadership means the people who answer your first call are accountable for the finished project.

Richmond neighborhoods with mature trees and aging clay or cast iron lines present specific challenges. Root intrusion, pipe belly, and deteriorated joints are common in established areas, and recognizing them requires familiarity with local soil conditions and infrastructure. We bring that knowledge to every assessment.

• A+ BBB Rating & Repeat Best Of Awards: Recognized in both plumbing and remodeling categories, reflecting a consistent record of quality.
• No Subcontracting Core Work: Our in-house team handles your project start to finish, so accountability never gets passed along.
• Single Point of Contact: One team from consultation through inspection means clear communication at every stage. You know what’s happening next.
• 3,500 Sq. Ft. Showroom: Richmond-area homeowners can visit our showroom to review plumbing fixture selections in person before making decisions.

Signs Your Richmond Home’s Sewer Line Needs Attention

Sewer line problems rarely announce themselves all at once. Warning signs tend to build gradually, and homeowners often mistake them for isolated plumbing issues. Catching them early can mean the difference between a straightforward repair and a full emergency replacement.

• Persistent Drain Backups: One clogged drain is a localized problem. Multiple fixtures backing up simultaneously, such as a toilet, shower, and sink, point to a main sewer line failure rather than a simple blockage.
• Foul Odors: Sewer gas has no business indoors. Odors in the basement, inside living spaces, or in the yard typically indicate a crack or break in the line.
• Gurgling Sounds: A gurgling noise from drains after flushing suggests the system is struggling with airflow, often caused by a partial collapse or significant blockage in the main line.
• Soggy or Extra-Green Yard Patches: A leaking sewer line releases waste into surrounding soil, creating damp spots or patches of unusually lush grass directly above the pipe.
• Foundation or Pest Issues: Long-term sewer leaks saturate soil near your foundation, which can lead to settling or cracking. The same moisture and waste attract rodents and pests.

Our Sewer Installation Process in Richmond

Sewer work follows a defined sequence, and we don’t skip steps. Before any digging begins, we locate all existing underground utilities to protect your property and avoid disruption. A sewer camera inspection then serves as the diagnostic starting point, feeding a high-resolution camera into your pipe to identify the exact nature, location, and severity of the problem before we recommend a solution. This step determines whether a repair or a full replacement is the right path forward.

Site assessment follows, evaluating slope, drainage patterns, and optimal pipe routing for long-term reliability. For Richmond homes connecting to the city public sewer, permitting includes coordination with the Richmond Department of Public Utilities, which requires inspection before a connection to the city main can be finalized. We handle that coordination directly, applying our working knowledge of local codes to help keep the project on schedule.

• Utility Locating – All existing underground lines are identified before excavation begins.
• Camera Inspection & Diagnosis – Precise identification of the problem before any recommendation is made.
• Permitting & Code Compliance – We manage the permitting process and stay current with Richmond city and county requirements.
• Trenching & Pipe Installation – Landscaping is protected wherever possible. Proper pipe bedding is used throughout to help reduce the risk of future pipe belly failures, and installed pipe is tested before backfilling.
• Municipal Connection – Most Richmond homes connect to the city public sewer. Properties without public service may use private septic systems, which require additional compatibility verification.
• Final Inspection & Cleanup – We coordinate the required inspection for code sign-off and leave the property as orderly as we found it.

At every stage, our team stays in direct contact with you. No handoffs, no waiting on a subcontractor to update us. If something changes mid-project, you hear from us first.

Sewer Line Replacement & New Installation Services

We handle two distinct scopes of sewer work, and our approach to each reflects the specific demands of the project.

Sewer Line Replacement

For established Richmond homes, this is our most common sewer service. Original clay and cast iron sewer laterals deteriorate over time, becoming vulnerable to root intrusion, cracking, and collapse. Replacement involves removing the failed pipe and installing a modern, code-compliant line designed for long-term performance.

New Sewer Line Installation

New construction and home additions require a complete sewer system designed and installed to current local codes, from the foundation to the municipal connection at the street. We work directly with homeowners or their builders to plan the layout and execute the installation correctly from the start.

Trenchless Methods

When site conditions allow, trenchless pipe bursting and CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) lining offer alternatives that minimize disruption to your yard and hardscaping. Pipe bursting breaks apart the old pipe while simultaneously pulling a new pipe into place, requiring only small access points. CIPP lining installs a resin-impregnated liner inside the existing pipe that hardens into a smooth, seamless surface, suitable when the pipe structure is partially intact. The camera inspection findings, pipe condition, soil conditions, and property layout all factor into which method is right for your situation.

Schedule Your Sewer Installation Assessment

Whether you’re dealing with an active sewer problem or planning ahead for new construction, we’re ready to help. We provide honest assessments, upfront pricing before work begins, and a team that stays with your project from the first call to the final inspection. For urgent situations, our 24-hour emergency plumbing service means you’re not left waiting.

Call R.J. Tilley Plumbing & Remodeling at (804) 979-2525 or fill out our online form to schedule a sewer installation assessment in Richmond.