Drain Line Repair Under the Slab — Van Nuys in San Fernando Valley
A real-world case from our team serving the San Fernando Valley
When a homeowner reaches out about under slab plumbing problems, the conversation usually starts with one big concern — how disruptive is this going to be? For one of our clients in the San Fernando Valley, that concern came with a very specific request: whatever you do, don’t come inside the house.
The kitchen and laundry drain lines running beneath the concrete slab had broken and were no longer functioning. Under slab plumbing repair was unavoidable — the broken drain lines needed to be addressed. But this homeowner was clear: the interior of the home was off limits. No interior work. No disruption to their living space. No worksite inside their house.
We found a way to honor that completely.
How We Fixed Broken Drain Lines From the Outside
Instead of accessing the under slab plumbing from inside the home, our team approached the entire job from the exterior. We opened the concrete from outside, accessed the broken drain lines beneath the slab, and rerouted both the kitchen and laundry lines along the exterior wall of the home. The new pipe was connected to the main sewer line at the front of the property — a complete drain line repair achieved without a single piece of work happening inside the home.
The excavation ran along the side of the house. The wall was carefully opened where the drain lines needed to exit. New ABS pipe was laid, tested, and inspected. And when the work was done, everything was restored — concrete patched, exterior sealed, and a new cleanout access point installed flush with the surface.
Clean. Professional. Done.
What the Before and After Looks Like
The photos from this project tell the story better than words. The before shots show the trench open alongside the exterior wall, the broken drain lines exposed, and the new pipe being carefully laid and connected. The after shots show smooth restored concrete, neat exterior connections, and a finished result that blends seamlessly with the surrounding property.
You would never know the scale of what happened here just by looking at it. That is exactly how it should be.
Is This the Same as a Slab Leak?
This is a question worth addressing. A slab leak specifically refers to a pressurized water supply line — hot or cold — leaking beneath the concrete slab. What this homeowner had was different: broken drain lines under the concrete slab had failed rather than the supply lines. Under slab plumbing issues like this are a separate problem from a slab leak but equally serious, and one that is sometimes mistakenly searched as a slab leak. If you are experiencing slow drains, backed-up lines, or drainage problems that seem to be coming from beneath the floor, broken drain lines under the slab may be the cause.
Do You Always Have to Go Inside to Fix Under Slab Plumbing?
Not always. It depends on where the broken drain lines are located, how the home is laid out, and how the property connects to the main sewer. When exterior access is possible, it can be a highly effective drain line repair solution that keeps your living space completely intact. It requires careful planning and skilled execution — but when done right, the results speak for themselves.
If you suspect you have broken drain lines under the slab, the best first step is a camera inspection. It is non-invasive, takes less than an hour, and gives you and your plumber a clear picture of exactly where the problem is and what the best path forward looks like.
Contact Drain Solutions Plumbing Co.
Drain Solutions Plumbing Co. is your local expert for under slab plumbing repair and drain line repair across the San Fernando Valley. Whether you are in Woodland Hills, Granada Hills, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Simi Valley, or Santa Clarita — we specialize in sewer line repair and replacement solutions that protect your home and respect your space. If you are looking for a trusted plumber in Van Nuys or anywhere across the Valley, we are here and ready to help.
Visit drainsolutionsplumbing.com or call us today at (818) 401-5600 to schedule a camera inspection or request a free quote.
