Frequently Asked Questions

Common warning signs include slow drains throughout the house, sewage odors inside or in the yard, soggy or sunken patches in the lawn, gurgling sounds in pipes after flushing, or toilets backing up when you run other fixtures.

Any of these symptoms can point to a sewer line issue. A sewer camera inspection is the only reliable way to confirm what is happening underground before any repair work begins.

A sewer camera inspection uses an HD camera pushed through your line to show exactly what is happening inside: root intrusion, cracks, pipe sag, offset joints, blockages, or deteriorated pipe material.

Contour starts every job with a camera inspection so you see what we see before any decision is made. Guessing leads to unnecessary work. The camera tells us exactly what the right repair is. Inspections start at $250 within our primary service area.

Call us at 218-453-4073 or fill out the form on our contact page. We typically have same-week availability and will confirm a time that works for your schedule.

For exterior-only work you do not necessarily need to be home. If we need access to an interior cleanout, someone should be available. We will walk through the specifics when we schedule the job so there are no surprises on the day.

Trenchless sewer repair fixes or replaces underground sewer lines without digging a full trench across your yard. Contour uses two main trenchless methods: CIPP pipe lining and pipe bursting. Both work from small access points, leaving your lawn, driveway, and landscaping largely undisturbed compared to traditional excavation.

Trenchless methods typically cost 30 to 40% less than full excavation in comparable situations. We serve homeowners in Duluth, MN, Superior, WI, and across the Northland.

CIPP stands for Cured-In-Place Pipe. A resin-saturated liner is inserted into your existing pipe and cured in place, creating a new seamless pipe inside the old one. The result is a jointless, root-resistant pipe with a 50-year expected lifespan. Most CIPP lining jobs are completed in a single day with no major yard disruption.

Pipe bursting replaces your old sewer line entirely. A bursting head is pulled through the existing pipe, fracturing it outward while simultaneously drawing new HDPE pipe in behind it. It is the right option when a pipe is too deteriorated to be lined. Pipe bursting requires significantly less excavation than traditional open-trench replacement.

Pipe lining (CIPP) rehabilitates your existing pipe by forming a new pipe inside the old one. It works when the host pipe is intact enough to hold a liner. Pipe bursting fully replaces the old pipe by fracturing it and pulling new HDPE through in one pass.

The camera inspection determines which method is appropriate. We explain the options after we see what is in the ground.

Point repair fixes an isolated section of damaged pipe rather than addressing the full line. When the camera shows one localized problem and the rest of the pipe is in good condition, point repair is the more cost-effective solution. Point repairs typically start at $3,500.

Yes. Contour repairs and replaces water service lines. We use trenchless directional boring when possible to minimize yard disturbance. Many older water lines in Duluth and the surrounding area are made of lead, galvanized steel, or corroded copper. Replacing with PE (polyethylene) pipe restores flow and removes aging materials. Water line work typically starts at $5,000.

Excavation is sometimes the right approach depending on pipe depth, access, soil conditions, or the extent of damage. Contour carries every repair method under one roof, so we recommend what actually fits your situation. When excavation is needed, we do it carefully and restore the work area.

A sewer camera inspection starts at $250 for properties within our primary service area. For locations farther out, the cost may be $450. In most cases the inspection fee is applied toward any repair work we perform.

Costs depend on what the camera reveals. Here is a general range:

Point repair: Starting around $3,500
CIPP pipe lining: $5,000 to $15,000 or more depending on pipe length and condition
Pipe bursting: $12,000 to $20,000 or more

We provide a written estimate after the camera inspection so there are no surprises.

Water line repair and replacement typically starts at $5,000. The final cost depends on pipe length, depth, access, and whether trenchless boring is possible for your property. We provide a written estimate after assessing the situation.

Standard homeowner’s insurance policies generally do not cover sewer line repair. Some policies offer a sewer line rider or endorsement that may cover certain types of failures. We recommend checking your policy. Contour can provide documentation of the camera findings to support any claim you need to file.

Most jobs are completed in a single day. A camera inspection followed by CIPP lining can often be completed on the same visit. Pipe bursting and water line work typically take one to two days depending on pipe length and access. We will give you a clear timeline before any work begins.

For trenchless work, we access the pipe through existing cleanouts or small access pits, keeping surface disturbance to a minimum. For excavation work, we limit digging to what is necessary and work carefully around the surrounding area. We clean up completely before we leave the job site.

After the work and backfill are complete, we grade and clean the work area. For areas disturbed by excavation, the ground needs time to settle before final restoration is performed. Trying to restore too soon can result in uneven ground that needs to be reworked. We walk you through what to expect for your specific job before we leave.

Sewer repair addresses a specific problem while keeping the original pipe in place. Sewer replacement involves installing a new pipe. CIPP lining sits in between: it creates a new pipe inside the old one without fully removing it. The camera inspection tells us which approach is right. We do not recommend replacement when repair is genuinely the better call.

Homes built before 1950 often have clay tile sewer pipe. Homes from roughly 1945 to 1965 may have Orangeburg pipe, a fiber-based material that degrades and collapses over time. Cast iron was common from the 1960s through the early 1980s. Each material has its own failure patterns. A camera inspection tells us exactly what is in the ground before we recommend anything.

Yes. Roots from silver maple, weeping willow, cottonwood, and other large trees are among the leading causes of sewer line problems in the Duluth area. Roots seek moisture and can penetrate pipe joints, grow through cracks, and eventually block or collapse the line.

CIPP pipe lining eliminates the joints where roots enter and creates a root-resistant barrier inside the existing pipe, solving the problem long term.

It could be. Older water lines, especially those made of lead or galvanized steel, build up mineral deposits over time that restrict flow. A drop in pressure throughout the house (not just at one fixture) can indicate the main water service line. Contour can inspect and diagnose the line and walk you through options if replacement is needed.

Shared or combined sewer lines do occur in older neighborhoods, sometimes connecting two, three, or more homes to a single line. When this is the case, all connected properties need to be considered and addressed in accordance with local plumbing code. Contour can inspect the line, identify the configuration, and walk you through what is required for your municipality.

CIPP pipe lining carries a 50-year expected lifespan. The cured resin liner creates a seamless, jointless pipe inside the host pipe that resists root intrusion and corrosion. Contour backs its lining work with a 10-year warranty.

Contour serves the Duluth, MN metro and surrounding Northland communities including:

Duluth, MN  ·  Superior, WI  ·  Hermantown, MN  ·  Proctor, MN  ·  Cloquet, MN  ·  Two Harbors, MN  ·  Ashland, WI

Not sure if we cover your area? Call 218-453-4073 and we will let you know.

Yes. Contour is fully licensed and insured. We carry general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Our crews are trained in safe excavation practices and work in compliance with all applicable codes.

Contour was founded in Duluth in 2021 to give homeowners an honest look at what is happening underground and real options for how to fix it. We carry every repair method under one roof so we can recommend what actually fits your situation.

We start every job with a camera so you see what we see. We do not guess, we do not upsell, and we leave job sites cleaner than we found them. Learn more about the team.