When wildfires rip through a property, the damage goes deeper than what you can see above ground. For general contractors taking on rebuilds, it’s easy to focus on framing, roofing, and visible plumbing. But underground systems—sewer lines, water mains, and gas piping—take a hit, too.
At The Pine Plumbing, we’ve been called to job sites where things looked fine from the surface. But dig a little deeper, and the problems start to show.
Story from the Job Site
We were recently brought in on a hillside rebuild in Malibu after the 2025 fires. The home’s visible plumbing was gone—burned straight through. The GC assumed the underground lines were salvageable. When we ran a camera inspection, the story changed.
Plastic piping had melted inside the conduit. The concrete vault around the main sewer cleanout had cracked. Gas lines, which had been shallow-set, had shifted from soil movement caused by heat and pressure changes underground. None of it could be reused.
The GC told us, “I thought underground meant protected.” That’s a common mistake.
What Wildfires Do Underground
- Extreme Heat Melts Plastic Piping
ABS and PVC lose structure even if flames don’t touch them. Heat radiates through the ground, warping lines or causing full collapse. - Soil Shifts and Settles
After a wildfire, the ground is loose. That can cause pipes to sag or disconnect. We’ve seen cleanouts buried two feet deeper than where they were originally installed. - Firefighting Water Pressure Breaks Lines
During fire response, hydrants dump thousands of gallons at high pressure. Weak joints in water systems crack under the sudden load. - Burned Root Systems Expose Pipes
Trees and shrubs that protected lines erode away, leaving sewer and gas lines exposed to the elements.
What Contractors Need to Know
If you’re rebuilding homes, restaurants, or commercial properties after fire damage, don’t skip the underground inspection. Before you start pouring slabs or setting foundations, let a licensed plumber test and inspect the full system. We use cameras, pressure testing, and location tracing to give you a real picture of what’s working and what’s not.
At The Pine Plumbing, we don’t guess—we show you exactly what’s going on underground so you can plan without surprises later.
