Before digging near a sewer line
Landscaping, fence installation, driveways, irrigation, or foundation work all require knowing where the lateral runs first.
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OUR SERVICES
Pinpoint the exact route and depth of your sewer lateral before any digging begins. Electronic sewer line locating for homeowners, contractors, and excavators across Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri.
OVERVIEW
Excavating without knowing where a sewer line runs can turn a planned project into a costly repair. Striking a buried lateral risks damage, sewage exposure, and delays that could have been avoided with proper locating.
Clog Busters provides precise sewer line locating across Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri using professional electronic equipment. Led by owner Jarod Smith, the team works with homeowners, builders, landscapers, and excavation crews to identify sewer line paths, depths, and access points before any ground is broken. This service ensures work starts with accurate information, not assumptions.
All work is performed to the plumbing codes adopted in each state and community we serve.

WHEN YOU NEED LOCATING
Across Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri, these are the most common signs of buildup or an obstruction in your sewer line.
Landscaping, fence installation, driveways, irrigation, or foundation work all require knowing where the lateral runs first.
Accurate location and depth reduce unnecessary excavation and allow crews to target the problem area directly.
Expanding plumbing requires confirming the existing line’s route and capacity before tying in.
Buyers may want to understand sewer layout, depth, and access before completing a purchase.
Locating translates internal findings into an exact point above ground for repair.
Some projects require documentation of the sewer lateral’s position before approvals are issued.
WHAT LOCATING TELLS YOU
Protect your home from major plumbing disasters and keep everything running efficiently.
The sewer lateral connects the home to the municipal system, but its path is rarely perfectly straight. It may shift around foundations, additions, or landscape features over time. Locating traces the true route and marks it clearly on the surface.
Residential sewer lines are commonly buried between 2 and 6 feet deep, though this varies depending on terrain and installation conditions. Locating equipment provides depth readings at multiple points, which directly impacts excavation planning and cost.
Access points are often hidden beneath soil, concrete, or landscaping. Locating identifies where these cleanouts exist - or confirms when they do not - so crews know how to access the system before starting work.
Understanding the tie-in point to the city sewer main is critical for repairs, replacements, and permitting. Locating establishes this connection point and provides clarity for any project involving the sewer system.
WHY CLOG BUSTERS
A clear, proven process, from the first inspection to a verified fix.
A transmitter is inserted into the sewer system through an accessible entry point such as a cleanout or inspection line. This device emits a traceable signal.
A receiver is used above ground to follow that signal as it moves through the pipe. This reveals both the horizontal path and depth of the line in real time.
The route is clearly marked on the surface using paint or flags. Changes in direction, access points, and key depths are identified separately.
The final step is a clear record of findings, including the line’s path, depth measurements, and access locations, provided to the homeowner or contractor.
FAQ
Still stuck? Call the local crew at (888) 231-7553.
Professional locating delivers highly reliable depth and position readings in most conditions. Factors like nearby utilities or soil composition can influence results, but accuracy is typically sufficient for excavation planning.
If no cleanout is available, a transmitter can often be introduced through another access point such as a fixture line. The best entry method is determined on-site.
Most residential sewer line locates are completed within 45 to 90 minutes, depending on property size and line complexity.
Yes. The marked path, depth readings, and key locations are documented and shared for use in planning or permitting.
Yes, Clog Busters is fully licensed and insured to perform sewer locating services across Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri.
We proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout the entire Des Moines, Iowa, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, metro area, providing reliable and dedicated service tailored to meet the unique needs of our community.