How It Works - Contour Inc.

Step by step

Here's what happens when you call.

The call

When you reach out.

A real person picks up. We ask a few quick questions before putting you on the schedule.

Sewer or water issue?
What are you seeing? Slow drain, backup, wet yard, or unusual smell?
How long has it been going on?

The inspection

Camera goes in. You see exactly what's there.

We run a high-definition camera from the cleanout to the city main. Every defect — roots, cracks, offsets, sags — gets flagged and documented.

Sewer camera inspection equipment Duluth MN

The diagnosis

We show you the footage and explain it plainly.

You see the same footage we do. We walk through each finding in plain terms — not technical language — before any decision is made.

Trenchless sewer line repair before Duluth MN

The recommendation

We lay out your options and tell you what we'd do.

We walk through the realistic repair options, what each one involves, and the full cost including any surface restoration. Our honest recommendation, then you decide.

The repair

We do the work. Trenchless wherever possible.

Depending on the pipe condition: point repair, CIPP lining, pipe bursting, or directional boring. When excavation is necessary, we dig only what the job requires.

Contour trenchless sewer repair Duluth MN

The close-out

Final camera pass. Site cleaned up. Done.

After the repair we run the camera again to confirm the work. Branch connections are reopened, the job site is cleaned up, and the installation is documented.

Step 02 in detail

What the camera shows us.

Not every issue requires the same fix. Here's what we're looking for.

Root intrusion

Tree roots enter through cracked joints and grow inside the pipe, restricting flow over time.

Cracks & fractures

Aging materials, ground movement, or frost cause hairline cracks that allow leakage and infiltration.

Offset joints

Pipe sections shift apart due to settling, creating gaps where roots and debris collect.

Buildup & blockages

Grease, debris, and mineral scale accumulate and reduce the pipe diameter, slowing or stopping flow.

Pipe belly / sag

A low spot where water pools rather than flows, often a sign of soil movement underneath.

Collapsed sections

Severely deteriorated pipe that has partially or fully caved in, blocking flow entirely.

Not every issue requires full replacement. Our job is to find the most cost-effective fix for what is actually there.

How we choose

Three things we weigh before we recommend anything.

The cheapest repair option is not always the cheapest job when you factor in what is above the pipe. We think through all three before making any recommendation.

Extent of damage

Is this one isolated defect or is the whole line compromised? That points us toward a spot fix or a full-line solution.

Restoration cost

Concrete, asphalt, and landscaping restoration can exceed the cost of the pipe work itself. Trenchless methods eliminate most of that.

Urgency

Active failure or a condition that is developing over time? That changes what makes sense to do now versus what can be planned ahead.

Based on what the camera shows

Root intrusion, pipe otherwise intact

Cleaning, then monitoring or lining

One or two isolated defects

Trenchless point repair (epoxy patch)

Multiple defects, line still structurally sound

CIPP sewer lining

Collapsed or severely deteriorated

Pipe bursting

Water line losing pressure or showing leaks

Directional boring with new HDPE line

These are not fixed rules. Every line is different. The camera tells the real story, and we base our recommendation on what we actually see.

Repair the line

Install a new pipe inside the existing pipe.

When a sewer line still maintains its general shape and alignment, CIPP lining allows us to install a new structural pipe inside the existing one. The result is a seamless, root-resistant pipe designed to provide 50+ years of service while avoiding major excavation and preserving your yard, driveway, landscaping, and hardscapes.

CIPP lining is the right choice when:

✓ The pipe retains its round shape, but has cracks, root intrusion, or moderately separated joints.

✓ The line is clay tile, cast iron, PVC, Orangeburg, or other pipe material that is not collapsed.

✓ The client is taking a proactive approach, and repairing the line before an issue occurs.

What you should know:

✓ CIPP lining creates a new structural pipe inside the existing pipe.

✓ The finished liner is seamless and resistant to roots and joint separation.

✓ Properly installed CIPP liners provide an expected service life of 50+ years.

Common in Duluth, MN: Many older clay tile lines from pre-1950s homes, cast iron, and even Orangeburg sewer lines can be successfully rehabilitated with CIPP lining when the pipe has not collapsed.

Replace the line

New pipe. Minimal excavation whenever possible.

When a sewer line has lost its shape, contains major bellies, or is completely collapsed, replacement becomes the better option. Our first choice is typically pipe bursting because it allows us to install a completely new pipe while minimizing disruption to the yard.

Replacement is the right choice when:

✓ The pipe is fully collapsed and a camera or cable cannot pass through.

✓ A major belly or sag is causing standing water and recurring backups.

✓ The line has severe deformation that cannot support a structural liner.

✓ The pipe route or elevation must be corrected.

✓ Existing defects prevent successful CIPP installation.

How we replace sewer lines:

✓ Pipe Bursting – A new pipe is pulled through the existing line while breaking apart the old pipe underground.

✓ Typically requires excavation only at the city connection, not a trench through your yard.

✓ Preserves most landscaping and causes far less disruption than traditional trenching.

✓ Installs a completely new sewer pipe with a 50+ year life expectancy.

Traditional excavation is only necessary when:

✓ The pipe is completely collapsed and inaccessible.

✓ A major belly requires regrading of the sewer line.

✓ Site conditions prevent pipe bursting.

Common in Duluth, MN: Orangeburg sewer lines in post-war homes built between 1945 and 1965 can deform or collapse and are often addressed with pipe bursting or replacement.

Go deeper

View details on specific repairs.

Each page walks through what the repair involves, when it applies, and what to expect.

Sewer Camera Inspection

HD Milwaukee camera from cleanout to city main. Documents pipe size, material, and every defect before any work begins.

How inspections work →

Trenchless Point Repair

One or two isolated defects repaired with an epoxy patch. Minimal property impact. No full-line excavation.

About point repair →

CIPP Sewer Lining

New structural pipe installed inside the existing one. Seamless, root-resistant, and built for 50+ years of service.

About CIPP lining →

Pipe Bursting

Full sewer replacement via hydraulic bursting. Old pipe fractures outward while new HDPE pipe installs in its place.

About pipe bursting →

Water Service Repair & Replacement

Directional boring installs new HDPE water line beneath lawns, sidewalks, and driveways with minimal disruption.

About water line work →

Combined Sewer & Water Replacement

Both utilities replaced in one project. Reduces excavation, shortens the timeline, and lowers total restoration costs.

Learn more →

What people say

Duluth homeowners who thought their yard was gone.

The thing people say most: they couldn't tell we were ever there.

Contour Inc

5.0

Based on 55 reviews

review us on

Bonnie Summers

1 month ago

Great crew, very professional work, five 🌟 they're there when they say they're going to be there. no excuses, anything goes wrong they fix it. customer service is five star. I would call them to get the job done. I highly recommend them. Had my sewer line replaced. Everything went smoothly. Loved working with this crew/company. They made an ugly situation beautiful once again.

Jill Thunder

2 months ago

Contour was very accommodating with all the home owners insurance issues I had to sort out. They repaired my main sewer pipe (had several cracks in it) with a 50 year warranty liner. Contour's quote was half of ASP as they found a closer access point to the front of the house and inspected all my home pipes determining they were fine and did not need lining. They save people a lot of money by only lining the sq foot of pipes that need it. The crew were very polite and professional. Would definitely recommend and hire them in the future for other services.

Rod Barber

2 months ago

Contour Inc. Was able to fix my sewer in a very timely manner so we could sell our house. They dug it up even in February! Very nice to deal with them.

Patrick Heaslip

3 months ago

From my initial conversation with Jason to my sewerlining appoint with Troy and his crew, Contour was 5 stars across the board. Everyone I spoke to was professional, knowledgeable, and patient throughout the process. They made it easy in addition to quoting a reasonable price. I would highly recommend anyone in the market for a sewerlining to consider their services.

Adam Osterlund

5 months ago

Contour came out and was willing to work with us on a solution that would fix a leak in a very difficult water main leak. They worked quickly, professionally, and cleanly.

They were able to complete the work faster than expected, and did a great job. We really appreciate their flexibility and ability to get the job done!

Leah Holliday

5 months ago

I needed my main sewer line lined. Contour was super helpful and was able to make it work within my budget. Very prompt, professional and got the work completed that same day. Highly recommend 5 stars to this company!!

Sara K

10 months ago

Contour is the best! Everyone treats you like an equal human and they are super knowledgeable at what they do. Brian and Co. were kind and honest from the start and very responsive. Everything was done very well and efficiently. They even came back to check on the project and touch up the blacktop they needed to patch in the alley after the job was completed. (Sewer line repair) Really appreciate you! I look forward to working with you again soon, just hopefully on an elective project and not an emergency. ;)

Charlie Bouschor

12 months ago

This is a very professional company. Not only did they actually return my request for a quote, they did it rapidly. The inspection was very thorough and was easily done. The quote was very fair, and the installation was amazing! The day of install we made room for their work, and when they left, it was cleaner than when we moved all our stuff! The workers communicated with us during the install, there was never a question about anything. Work was professional, and the out come is a sewar line I won't have to worry about again!

Thanks Contour!

Nadine Uremovich

2 years ago

Highly recommended! "Wow!" is the only way to describe Contour. Their crew is honest, knowledgeable, considerate, and dependable. They replaced our sewer and water line in one day. They were meticulous with clean up, too. Great people and a great company!

See what our customers are saying

Where we work

Serving Duluth and the Twin Ports.

Based in Duluth at 4958 Rice Lake Rd. We service homes and businesses across Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Enter your address to see how quickly we can be there.

Contour service zone

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Cities we serve

Duluth, MN ★HQ Hermantown10 min Proctor15 min Superior, WI20 min Cloquet25 min

Esko22 min

Two Harbors30 min

Knife River25 min

Silver Bay55 min

Hibbing1h 15m

Virginia1h 10m

Ashland, WI1h 25m

Travel times are typical and vary with traffic and weather. For service outside this list, please call.

Here's what happens when you call.

Here's what happens when you call.

When you reach out.

Camera goes in. You see exactly what's there.

We show you the footage and explain it plainly.

We lay out your options and tell you what we'd do.

We do the work. Trenchless wherever possible.

Final camera pass. Site cleaned up. Done.

What the camera shows us.

Three things we weigh before we recommend anything.

Install a new pipe inside the existing pipe.

New pipe. Minimal excavation whenever possible.

View details on specific repairs.

Duluth homeowners who thought their yard was gone.

Serving Duluth and the Twin Ports.

How far are we from you?

Don't tear up your yard until you've talked to us.