Same-Day Service
Most service calls handled same-day across the Albuquerque metro — and we answer the phone 24/7.
Drains & Sewers
The Lateral Is Yours, and It Is Old
The sewer lateral running from your house to the city main is the homeowner’s responsibility, and in much of Albuquerque it was installed decades ago. Clay in older neighborhoods, cast iron in mid-century construction, early plastic after that.
Cottonwood, elm and Siberian elm are everywhere in the Albuquerque valley, and their roots find separated clay joints reliably. Root intrusion is behind a large share of the repeat backups we are called to.
- Diagnosis First We inspect before quoting. No excavation is priced from assumption.
- Proportionate Repair A spot repair where a spot repair will do, rather than defaulting to full replacement.
- Permitted Work Sewer work permitted and inspected where required.
What We See
Signs the Lateral Is Failing
Sewer lines rarely fail without warning.
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Repeat Main-Line Backups
The clearest sign the problem is structural rather than incidental.
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Roots in Every Cleaning
If the cable keeps returning root mass, there is an open joint feeding them.
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Wet Patches or Sinkholes in the Yard
Water escaping a broken line saturates and settles the soil above it.
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Sewer Smell Outdoors
A break venting to the surface, which should be addressed promptly.
What We Do
What We Handle
The whole lateral, end to end.
- Inspection & Locating Camera survey with surface locating and depth marking.
- Cleaning & Jetting Roots, scale and grease cleared back to the pipe wall.
- Spot Repairs Single failed sections replaced without disturbing the rest of the run.
- Full Replacement When the line is genuinely past repair, replaced and the site restored properly.
How It Works
What to Expect
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Call or Book Online
Tell us what is backing up and how often. Backups get 24/7 dispatch.
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Diagnose, Often on Camera
We clear the immediate problem and inspect the line when the pattern suggests a cause.
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Approve a Flat Price
You see the footage and the price before agreeing to any repair.
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Clear It and Confirm
We verify flow, show you the result, and recommend only what the line actually needs.
Current Specials
Save on the work your home needs most.
HVAC
FINANCING
No Money Down, No Interest For 60 Months on a New HVAC System
Efficient New System Installations
Expires 11/30/2026
HVAC
25% OFF
25% Off Select Air Purifiers & Filters
25% Off Filtration Systems
Expires 12/31/2026
HVAC
$50
$50 Off Your A/C Repair
Expert Maintenance & Repairs
Expires 12/31/2026
Why Choose B. Carlson
Upfront Pricing
Flat-rate pricing approved before work begins — no surprises on the invoice.
Licensed & Insured
Fully licensed, bonded, and insured — heating, cooling, and plumbing under one roof.
Trusted Since 1971
Founded by Byron Carlson and serving Albuquerque families for more than 50 years.
Worried about your sewer line?
Start with a camera. It costs a fraction of guessing wrong.
What Our Customers Say
Don't just take our word for it — hear from our satisfied customers
★★★★★
Shane was our tech and he knew right away what needed to be fixed . Very professional from the beginning . Setting up the appointment and to the day Shane came to fix my issue . Amazing customer service
★★★★★
Dylan corrected the problem with our swamp cooler and repaired it promptly. The service was also under warranty and he honored it.
Maintenance Membership
Join the Care Club
Total home service care, on a schedule.
Members get priority scheduling, annual HVAC maintenance, a yearly whole-home plumbing safety inspection, and no dispatch fees — for less than the cost of a single emergency call.
- Priority scheduling
- Seasonal HVAC tune-ups
- Annual safety inspection
- Exclusive member discounts
- Free dispatch on repairs
- No long-term contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the sewer lateral?
The homeowner, from the house to the connection at the city main. It is not the utility’s responsibility.
How long do sewer lines last?
Clay and cast iron commonly reach fifty to eighty years. Modern PVC lasts considerably longer.
Can roots be removed permanently?
Only by fixing the defect letting them in. Cutting them clears the line, but they return to an open joint.
Will you need to dig up my yard?
Only where a structural repair requires it, and only after a camera confirms location and extent. We restore the site afterward.
*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.
