Stormwater Maintenance Service in Central Florida
Culvert Repair in Orlando, FL
Central Florida's trusted underground utility contractor for culvert repair, slip lining, and full replacement — 65+ years of experience, licensed, and available 24/7.
65+ years serving Central Florida
Licensed local service team
Fast scheduling and clear communication
Service Overview
Culvert Repair Backed by 65+ Years of Local Experience
A failing culvert is more than an inconvenience — it's a road safety hazard, an erosion risk, and a compliance issue. Whether your corrugated metal pipe has rusted through, your concrete culvert has cracked, or a headwall has shifted and separated, the damage will only grow until it's properly repaired.
Lapin Services repairs and replaces culverts of all types across Orlando and Central Florida. From spot repairs and slip lining to full-pipe replacement with permitted headwall work, we handle every step — assessment, permits, repair, and inspection — so the problem is resolved correctly the first time.
Problems We Solve
Common Culvert Repair Problems We Fix
Here are the issues our team commonly finds and resolves during culvert repair calls across Central Florida.
Corrugated Metal Pipe Corrosion and Failure
CMP culverts corrode from the inside out over time — especially in Florida's acidic soils and high-moisture environment. Once corrosion reaches the invert, the pipe collapses under load and drainage fails completely.
Concrete Pipe Cracks and Spalling
Concrete culverts crack from ground settlement, root intrusion, heavy traffic loads, or age. Cracks allow soil infiltration and joint separation, undermining the surrounding roadbed and embankment.
Pipe Separation and Joint Failure
Culvert sections shift apart at the joints due to ground movement or inadequate bedding. Separated joints allow soil to migrate into the pipe, creating voids beneath roads and driveways that can cause sudden collapse.
Headwall and End Treatment Damage
Concrete or masonry headwalls crack, spall, or undermine when water scours around the pipe end. Damaged end treatments reduce hydraulic capacity, accelerate erosion at the outfall, and destabilize the embankment slope.
Erosion and Embankment Undermining
When culverts leak or overflow, water carves channels beneath roadways, driveways, and fill slopes. Left unaddressed, the embankment erodes until the road surface fails — sometimes without visible warning.
When to Call
Signs Your Stormwater System Needs Professional Attention
If you notice any of these warning signs, schedule culvert repair before the problem becomes more disruptive or expensive.
Road or Driveway Settling Over the Pipe
A dip, crack, or soft spot in the pavement directly above a culvert is a warning that the pipe or its bedding has failed and is no longer supporting the load above it.
Water Backing Up or Overflowing at the Inlet
If water pools at the inlet end instead of flowing through, the culvert may be partially collapsed, blocked with debris, or no longer adequately sized — all conditions requiring immediate inspection.
Visible Rust Staining, Holes, or Exposed Metal
Orange-brown staining or visible corrosion holes in a metal culvert indicate the pipe wall has lost structural integrity and is at risk of collapse under vehicle or water load.
Erosion Channels Forming Around the Pipe Ends
Scouring or gullying around the inlet or outlet of a culvert signals that the headwall or end treatment has failed and water is bypassing the pipe rather than flowing through it.
Sinkholes or Voids Near the Pipe
Depressions in the ground near a culvert often indicate that soil has migrated into a cracked or separated pipe — a condition that can progress to sudden road or embankment failure.
Our Process
What to Expect From Your Culvert Repair Visit
Lapin keeps the process straightforward from the first call through final documentation, so you know what is happening at every step.
Step 1
Call or Schedule Online
Call Lapin Services or request service online — we're available 24/7 for emergency and scheduled culvert assessments.
Step 2
On-Site Inspection and Diagnosis
We perform a site evaluation and video inspection if needed to determine pipe condition, failure mode, and the appropriate repair method.
Step 3
Honest Assessment and Recommendations
We present repair options — slip lining, spot repair, pipe bursting, or full replacement — with a clear explanation of what each entails and why we recommend it.
Step 4
Service Completed
Where permits are required, we handle the application, coordination with the county or FDOT, and inspection scheduling before work begins.
Step 5
Documentation and Follow-Up
Our licensed crew completes the repair — restoring drainage capacity, stabilizing the embankment, and repairing or replacing headwalls and end treatments as needed — then documents all work for your records.
Why Lapin
Why Central Florida Chooses Lapin for Culvert Repair
Lapin combines licensed expertise, local knowledge, and responsive service for stormwater work throughout Central Florida.
65+ Years of Experience
Founded in 1958, Lapin has been Central Florida's trusted utility specialist for three generations — with the knowledge and credentials to back it up.
4.9★ Rating · 1,000+ Reviews
The best-rated utility contractor in Florida — not by our own measure, but by the property owners and businesses who've trusted us.
Licensed Underground Utilities Contractor
License CUC1223686. Fully certified for underground utility installation, repair, maintenance, and compliance.
End-to-End Service
One company for installation, repair, inspections, and compliance across all underground utility systems. No handoffs, no finger-pointing between subs.
Available 24/7
Utility emergencies don't wait for business hours. Our team is available around the clock so you're never left waiting when it matters most.
Related Services
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FAQs
Culvert Repair FAQs
What is slip lining and when is it used for culvert repair?
Slip lining installs a new pipe inside the existing damaged culvert without full excavation. It’s used when the host pipe retains enough structural integrity to support the liner — it’s faster, less disruptive, and often more cost-effective than open-cut replacement.
How do I know if my culvert needs repair or full replacement?
It depends on the pipe material, extent of corrosion or cracking, joint condition, and hydraulic capacity. A video inspection and site assessment give us the information needed to recommend the most effective and cost-efficient solution.
Do culvert repairs require permits in Orlando or Orange County?
Permit requirements vary by location, pipe size, and whether the culvert is under a public road or private driveway. Work on FDOT or county right-of-way typically requires permits and inspection coordination. Lapin handles all permitting where required.
What causes corrugated metal culverts to fail so quickly in Florida?
Florida’s acidic soils, high water table, and warm climate accelerate internal corrosion on metal pipe. The invert — the bottom of the pipe — corrodes first and eventually collapses. Most CMP culverts in Florida have a service life of 20–40 years depending on soil conditions.
Can a culvert be repaired without digging up the road or driveway?
In many cases, yes. Slip lining and pipe bursting are trenchless methods that rehabilitate the pipe from the inside, avoiding full excavation. Whether trenchless repair is viable depends on the pipe condition, diameter, and access — we can assess this during our site visit.
What happens if a failed culvert is left unrepaired?
A failed culvert will continue to erode the surrounding embankment, undermine the road surface, and reduce drainage capacity. Over time this leads to pavement failure, potential road or driveway collapse, and significantly higher repair costs than addressing the problem early.
Do you repair headwalls and end sections, or just the pipe?
We repair and replace both. Headwalls and end treatments are a critical part of culvert function — a repaired pipe paired with a failed headwall will erode just as quickly. We address the complete system.
Do you serve areas outside Orlando?
Yes. We serve Orlando and the broader Central Florida region, including surrounding counties. Call us to confirm service availability for your location.
Schedule Service
Schedule Culvert Repair Today
Call Lapin Services today or request service online — and get your culvert repaired by Central Florida's most trusted underground utility team.