When multiple plumbers told a Louisiana homeowner that her sewer line needed a complete reroute, she turned to Google for a second opinion. That search led her to Pelican Underground—and saved her thousands of dollars in unnecessary work.
A homeowner with a 60+ year old house was experiencing severe drainage issues. After several plumbers attempted to clear the blockage without success, she was told the only solution was a costly sewer line reroute. Skeptical of this diagnosis, she searched for a second opinion and found Pelican Underground. Our team spent five hours methodically clearing a massive clog that other companies couldn’t budge—restoring full function to her plumbing without any excavation or rerouting.
Time to Complete: 5 hours
Older homes come with character—and often with aging infrastructure that requires specialized expertise. This 60+ year old property had original plumbing that had developed a severe blockage over time.
The homeowner noticed slow drains progressing to complete backups. Water wasn’t moving through the system, making daily life increasingly difficult. The cast iron pipes common in homes of this era are durable but can accumulate decades of buildup, corrosion, and debris.
Before contacting Pelican Underground, the homeowner had already called multiple plumbing companies. Each one attempted to clear the line but couldn’t break through the obstruction. Their unanimous conclusion: the sewer line was beyond repair and needed to be completely rerouted—a major construction project that would involve excavation, new pipe installation, and significant expense.
Facing the prospect of a major plumbing overhaul, the homeowner was understandably stressed. A sewer reroute would mean:
Unwilling to accept this outcome without exploring alternatives, she searched online for a second opinion.
When the homeowner reached out to Pelican Underground, our team took a different approach than the previous plumbers. Instead of assuming the worst, we committed to a thorough diagnosis and persistent clearing strategy.
We began with a comprehensive sewer camera inspection to see exactly what we were dealing with. This visual assessment revealed the true nature of the blockage—a massive accumulation that, while severe, was not impossible to clear with the right equipment and technique.
Where other plumbers gave up, we persisted. Our team understood that older plumbing systems often require more time and specialized methods. Chase and the crew dedicated five full hours to methodically working through the clog, using professional-grade equipment designed for the toughest blockages.
Our approach combined:
Pelican Underground utilizes state-of-the-art residential drain cleaning technology capable of handling even the most stubborn obstructions. Our camera inspection systems provide real-time visibility, allowing our technicians to adapt their approach and verify complete clearing.
Before attempting any clearing, we inserted our high-definition sewer camera to map the pipe system and locate the exact position and nature of the blockage. This diagnostic step is crucial—it prevents guesswork and ensures we’re targeting the actual problem.
The camera revealed a substantial accumulation that had built up over decades. Unlike the previous plumbers who encountered resistance and recommended rerouting, our experienced team recognized this as a clearable obstruction that simply required the right approach and persistence.
Our technicians began the methodical process of breaking through and removing the blockage. This wasn’t a quick fix—it required five hours of focused, professional work. The team used specialized equipment designed for sewer cleaning in older systems, gradually working through the accumulation until full flow was restored.
After clearing the line, we performed a final camera inspection to verify complete removal of the blockage. The before-and-after difference was dramatic—the pipe that had been completely obstructed now showed clear passage throughout. We documented the results and confirmed with the homeowner that her plumbing was fully functional.
What other plumbers said was impossible, Pelican Underground accomplished in a single service visit. The homeowner avoided a major construction project and got her plumbing back in working order.
Result: Complete restoration of sewer function
A full sewer line reroute for a 60+ year old home can easily cost $10,000-$25,000 or more, depending on the property layout, accessibility, and local conditions. By properly diagnosing and clearing the actual problem, Pelican Underground saved this homeowner a significant portion of that expense—plus the headache, time, and property disruption that comes with major excavation work.
With the massive clog removed and the line fully inspected, the homeowner now has a clear picture of her plumbing’s condition. Should any issues develop in the future, trenchless pipe repair options like CIPP lining are available to rehabilitate aging pipes without excavation.
“Thank goodness my Google search for a second opinion on my sewer line led me to Pelican Underground—I had been told by other plumbers that I would need my sewer line to be rerouted! They were WRONG!
Chase and crew spent five hours clearing a massive clog in our 60+ year house plumbing that no other plumber was able to budge! They were professional, prompt, and courteous and saved me tons of money. Saved me the HEADACHE of having a reroute done as well!
This business is no scam! Chase took a couple of days to get back to me after my original text because he was working several states away from me at that time. He did his best to schedule me at his first convenience and we are forever grateful for his expertise. Once he got us a service date, he promptly showed up for the diagnostics and was always available by phone for any questions I had!”
— Renee Daigre, Homeowner
What other plumbers said was impossible, Pelican Underground accomplished in a single service visit. The homeowner avoided a major construction project and got her plumbing back in working order.
| Factor | Other Plumbers | Pelican Underground |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Line needs complete reroute | Severe but clearable blockage |
| Recommended Solution | Major excavation & new pipes | Professional drain clearing |
| Estimated Cost | $10,000-$25,000+ | Fraction of reroute cost |
| Timeline | Days to weeks | 5 hours |
| Property Disruption | Significant excavation | None |
| Outcome | N/A (work not performed) | Full flow restored |
If you own an older home with original plumbing, you need a contractor who understands these systems. At Pelican Underground, we specialize in working with aging infrastructure. Our residential solutions include:
If you’ve been told your sewer line needs major work, don’t commit to expensive repairs without exploring your options. Like Renee, you might discover that the right expertise makes all the difference.
Pelican Underground serves homeowners throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with professional drain cleaning, sewer camera inspection, and trenchless pipe repair services.
Contact Pelican Underground today to schedule your sewer camera inspection and find out what’s really going on with your plumbing.
View more success stories on our reviews and testimonials page.
