Thompson Trenchless specializes in vertical stack lining throughout Wyandotte, Monroe, and Downriver Michigan—repairing multi-story drain stacks using advanced CIPP technology that eliminates the need for wall demolition through multiple floors. When your home’s main vertical drain stack develops leaks, corrosion, or deterioration, traditional replacement requires opening walls on every floor the stack passes through—an extremely expensive and disruptive process costing $15,000-$40,000.
Vertical stack lining installs a seamless epoxy liner inside your existing stack from a single access point (typically basement or crawl space), creating a new pipe within the old one without touching walls on upper floors. This trenchless solution repairs your entire stack—from basement to roof vent—in 1-2 days with minimal disruption and 60-70% cost savings compared to traditional replacement.
Serving Wayne County and Monroe County with specialized vertical lining expertise, comprehensive video inspection, and lifetime workmanship warranties, we’re the trusted choice for homeowners facing deteriorating cast iron stacks who want permanent repair without gutting their homes.
Your vertical drain stack (also called main stack, soil stack, or waste stack) is the primary vertical pipe running from your basement through your roof. All upper-floor drains—toilets, sinks, tubs, showers—connect to this stack through lateral branch lines. The stack carries waste down to your main sewer line and vents sewer gases up through your roof. Understanding your complete drainage system helps you maintain it properly.
In most homes, the stack is 3-4 inches diameter, though older homes may have 2-inch stacks and larger homes might have 4-inch or multiple stacks. The stack typically runs inside walls in a “wet wall” or chase, passing through each floor and continuing through the attic to a roof vent.
Stacks serve dual purposes: drainage (carrying wastewater down) and venting (allowing air in and gases out). When you flush an upstairs toilet, waste flows into the stack, drops through gravity to the basement, then exits through your main sewer line. Simultaneously, the stack vents sewer gases safely through your roof and allows air into the system to prevent vacuum formation.
This dual function means stack problems affect both drainage (slow drains, backups) and venting (gurgling sounds, odors). Stack failure creates whole-house drain plumbing issues rather than isolated problems.
Vertical stacks develop specific problems due to their location within walls and exposure to both wastewater and atmospheric conditions:
Most stack problems occur in cast iron stacks common in homes built 1900-1980. Cast iron corrodes from inside out—sewage creates hydrogen sulfide gas that turns to sulfuric acid on pipe walls, eating through the metal. After 50-70 years, deterioration becomes severe enough to cause leaks, often appearing as water stains on walls or ceilings below bathrooms.
Stack lining permanently stops this deterioration process by creating a corrosion-proof epoxy liner that lasts 50-100+ years, similar to our pipe bursting and slip lining solutions.
Vertical stack lining uses Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) technology adapted for vertical installation. A flexible fiberglass or felt liner saturated with epoxy resin is inserted into your stack from below (typically through basement cleanout or stack base), pulled up through the entire stack height using specialized equipment, then cured with hot water or steam to harden into a smooth, seamless new pipe.
The process repairs your stack from basement connection point to roof vent in one continuous installation—no joints, no weak points, no sections left unlined.
Unlike horizontal pipe lining that uses inversion (pressure) to install liners, vertical stack lining uses a “pulled-in-place” method. We attach the liner to a cable or chain, pull it up through the stack from bottom to roof vent, position it precisely, inflate it against stack walls, then cure. The entire process accesses from one point (typically basement) with only roof vent access needed for pulling equipment.
Lateral connections (where branch lines from bathrooms connect to stack) are precisely located during installation and “reinstated” (opened) after curing using robotic cutting equipment guided by cameras.
Traditional Replacement: Requires opening walls on every floor the stack passes through. For a 2-story home, this means demolishing walls in basement, first floor, second floor, and attic—often 15-30 linear feet of drywall per floor. Then removing old stack section by section, installing new PVC pipe, waterproofing, repairing walls, texturing, painting. Timeline: 1-2 weeks. Cost: $15,000-$40,000.
Stack Lining: Access through basement and roof vent only. No wall demolition on lived-in floors. Install liner from bottom, cure, reinstate laterals, done. Timeline: 1-2 days. Cost: $5,000-$12,000. Savings: $10,000-$28,000 while achieving equal or superior longevity.
We access stacks through existing openings whenever possible: basement stack cleanout, crawl space access to stack base, or existing basement ceiling if stack is exposed. The only additional access needed is roof vent access for pulling equipment—a standard drain plumbing access point requiring no structural modification.
In rare cases where basement access doesn’t exist, we create one strategic access point (typically 12×12 inches in basement ceiling) rather than opening walls on every floor.
We inspect your entire stack from basement to roof using specialized cameras, documenting condition at every level including all lateral connection points. This inspection identifies: corrosion severity, leak locations, lateral positions, stack diameter, total height, and any obstacles. You receive complete footage showing exactly why lining is necessary.
We identify optimal access points—typically basement cleanout or stack base, plus roof vent. If basement access is inadequate, we create minimal strategic opening. We protect your home with drop cloths, establish work areas, and set up curing equipment.
We clean the stack interior using specialized equipment appropriate for vertical pipes. Root ctutting (if roots have entered at basement level), scale removal with professional cleaning, and hydro jetting ensure clean pipe walls for proper resin adhesion. The stack must be clean for the liner to bond correctly.
We insert the resin-saturated liner through basement access, attach it to pulling equipment at roof vent, and carefully pull it up through the entire stack. Precise positioning ensures the liner covers the full stack height and aligns properly with all lateral connections. We then inflate the liner using air pressure or water column to press it firmly against stack walls.
Hot water or steam circulates through the liner for 2-6 hours (depending on stack height and diameter) to cure the epoxy resin. Temperature and pressure are continuously monitored to ensure proper curing. Once complete, the liner has hardened into a smooth, seamless pipe with compressive strength exceeding 6,000 PSI—stronger than the original cast iron.
After curing, we use robotic cutting equipment with cameras to precisely open (“reinstate”) each lateral connection point where branch lines from bathrooms connect to the stack. We verify every connection is properly opened, test the entire system with water flow, perform final camera inspection showing perfect installation, and restore access points. Your drain plumbing is fully operational with a brand new stack.
Concerned about your deteriorating drain stack?
Traditional replacement destroys walls on every floor. Stack lining accesses from basement only, leaving all upper floor walls completely intact. No drywall repair, no painting, no restoration needed.
Liners are custom-fabricated to your exact stack height—15 feet, 25 feet, 35 feet or more. One continuous liner repairs from basement to roof vent, eliminating all joints and weak points.
Epoxy resin liners are essentially permanent. Corrosion-proof, root-proof, and chemical-resistant, they outlast PVC replacement pipes while costing far less to install.
The smooth epoxy interior has no joints, no rough spots, and no scale buildup. Waste flows better than in the original corroded cast iron, reducing clog potential and improving drainage.
Stack lining costs $5,000-$12,000 vs. $15,000-$40,000 for traditional replacement. You save $10,000-$28,000 (60-70% less) while getting equal or better longevity.
Work happens in basement and on roof. Upper floors remain fully functional and livable throughout installation. No moving furniture, no living around construction, no displaced family members.
We’ve successfully lined stacks in homes up to 4 stories and commercial buildings taller. Height is not a limitation—we fabricate liners to any length needed.
Stack leaks often occur deep within walls where access is impossible without major demolition. Stack lining seals all leaks from inside regardless of location, permanently solving the problem.
When drains on multiple floors run slowly or backup simultaneously, your stack likely has problems. Unlike lateral issues affecting one bathroom, stack problems impact all drains that connect to it—typically all upper floor drain plumbing.
Stack leaks manifest as water stains, discoloration, or damp spots on walls or ceilings below bathrooms. These indicate pinhole leaks or joint failures in the stack hidden within walls. Stains often appear at floor levels where lateral connections enter the stack.
Sewer gas odors on upper floors—especially in walls or during drain use—indicate stack deterioration. Corroded cast iron develops tiny holes that leak gases into wall cavities, creating noticeable odors in bedrooms, bathrooms, or hallways adjacent to the wet wall.
If your stack is visible in basement or crawl space, look for rust stains, flaking metal, or obvious corrosion. Visible deterioration at accessible points indicates the hidden sections within walls are similarly or more severely corroded. What you see at basement level is happening throughout the stack height.
Important: Cast iron stacks in homes built 1900-1970 typically need attention after 50-70 years, often requiring sewer line repair or complete stack rehabilitation. If your home is 50+ years old with original plumbing, proactive stack inspection is highly recommended.
$5,000-$12,000
Complete stack lining, basement to roof
Vertical stack lining costs vary based on stack height, diameter, accessibility, and number of lateral connections:
Stack Height: Taller stacks require more liner material and longer curing times. A 15-foot stack (2-story) costs significantly less than a 30-foot stack (3-story).
Stack Diameter: Larger diameter stacks (4-inch vs. 3-inch) require proportionally more material and larger equipment. Diameter increases cost by 20-30%.
Number of Lateral Connections: Each connection point (typically 2-4 per floor) requires reinstatement after curing. More laterals increase labor time and cost.
Access Complexity: Stacks with easy basement access cost less than those requiring access point creation or working in tight crawl spaces.
Stack Condition: Heavily deteriorated stacks may require extensive cleaning, root removal, or preparation work before lining.
Cost Component | Stack Lining | Traditional Replacement |
Pipe Materials & Labor | $5,000-$12,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
Wall Demolition (All Floors) | $0 | $3,000-$8,000 |
Wall Restoration & Finishing | $0-$500 (minimal) | $7,000-$22,000 (drywall, texture, paint) |
TOTAL COST | $5,000-$12,500 | $15,000-$40,000 |
Timeline | 1-2 days | 1-2 weeks + restoration |
Value: Stack lining saves $10,000-$28,000 (60-70% less) while providing equal or superior lifespan (50-100 years for both methods). The dramatic cost difference comes from eliminated demolition and restoration expenses.
Most 2-story homes have one main stack (15-20 feet tall) serving upstairs bathrooms. Stack lining is particularly cost-effective for 2-story homes with cast iron pipe issues—total cost typically $5,000-$8,000 vs. $15,000-$25,000 for traditional replacement. Installation completes in 1 day in most cases.
3-story homes often have taller stacks (25-30 feet) and may have multiple stacks. Each stack can be lined independently. For homes with two stacks, bundling both in one service visit provides cost savings. Total project: $12,000-$20,000 vs. $30,000-$50,000 traditional.
We line stacks in duplexes, triplexes, and small multi-family buildings. These applications often involve multiple stacks or taller stack heights. Commercial/multi-family pricing is customized based on building specifics but consistently saves 50-70% vs. traditional replacement while avoiding tenant disruption.
and all Wayne and Monroe County communities.
Most stack lining completes in 1-2 days. Day 1: inspection, cleaning, liner installation and curing (2-6 hours cure time). Day 2: lateral reinstatement, testing, restoration. Simple 2-story stacks often complete in one long day. Complex 3-story or multiple-stack projects may require 2 full days.
No. This is the primary advantage of stack lining. We access from basement (or crawl space) and roof vent only. Walls on lived-in floors remain completely intact. Traditional replacement requires opening walls on every floor the stack passes through—stack lining eliminates this entirely.
Yes. Active leaks are a primary reason for stack lining. The liner seals all leaks from inside regardless of location. We often line stacks currently leaking into walls with excellent results—the liner permanently stops all seepage.
Thompson Trenchless provides a lifetime workmanship warranty on all stack lining installations. Liner materials carry 50+ year manufacturer warranties with expected lifespan of 100+ years. Our comprehensive warranty is transferable to future property owners.
We access through existing basement openings (stack cleanouts, exposed stack base) and roof vents. These are standard plumbing access points requiring no modification. Only in rare cases where basement access is completely unavailable do we create a small access point—typically 12×12 inches in basement ceiling.
Yes, stack lining is specifically designed for deteriorating cast iron stacks. The epoxy liner adheres excellently to cast iron interior surfaces and permanently stops the corrosion process. This is our most common application—lining 50-100 year old cast iron stacks in historic homes.
Yes. Lateral connections (where branch lines enter the stack) are precisely located during installation, then “reinstated” (opened) after curing using robotic cutting equipment. We can reinstate any number of connections with precision, ensuring perfect flow from all drains.
Vertical stack lining typically costs $5,000-$12,000 depending on stack height and complexity. 2-story homes ($5,000-$8,000), 3-story homes ($7,000-$12,000). This is 60-70% less than traditional replacement ($15,000-$40,000) when demolition and restoration costs are included.
We specialize in the unique challenges of multi-story stack lining
Professional pulling and curing equipment specifically for vertical applications
We access from basement only, preserving all upper floor walls
Michigan Master Drain Plumber license, full liability insurance
Consistently excellent satisfaction across all platforms
Hundreds of successful stack lining installations across Wayne and Monroe Counties
Liners precisely sized to your exact stack dimensions and configuration
Comprehensive warranty on all installation labor
Detailed written estimates with no hidden fees
See what customers say on our reviews page. Serving Wyandotte, Monroe, and all Downriver Michigan.
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