When figuring out if you need to replace a sewer line, it's important to consider all of your options first
A sewer backup or leak doesn’t always have to result in a complete sewer line replacement. By calling in the right experts and identifying the root cause of the problem, often a simpler and less costly repair is enough.
Consider these eight factors to help you better understand when sewer line replacement may be necessary, what it involves, and why.
These sewer problem warning signs are often a good indication your sewer line may need replacing (or, at the least, need some maintenance or repair work):
Drain backups or persistent slow drainage
Gurgling sounds in drains
Foul sewage odors
Pools of water on your lawn
Flooding septic waste in your yard
Foundation problems
Being aware of the common causes of sewer line damage can help you understand if something may have contributed to a serious problem and help prevent damage in the future. You can also pass the info on to your pro to help them better determine a fix for you.
Some things that can contribute to damage include:
Tree roots
Extremes in temperature (especially when there’s a hard freeze)
Foreign objects causing a blockage
Corrosion of old cast-iron pipes (found in houses built before the 1960s)
Products getting flushed down toilets or drains that shouldn’t be— i.e. grease buildup, flushing away things like sanitary products and baby wipes
Soil conditions
Although a backed-up sewer can induce panic in even the calmest homeowners, don’t rush to get your sewer line replaced without having it inspected first to diagnose what the problem is.
Professionals can thread a digital camera into the line to check the pipe condition, identify cracks, blockages, holes, collapsed sections in the pipe, or even root damage. This helps to determine whether a repair or replacement is the best option.
Sometimes a complete sewer line replacement won’t be necessary, and a simpler, less expensive trenchless repair will remedy the problem. When there’s minimal damage to the pipe, inserting an inflatable tube covered in tough, flexible epoxy resin can reliably patch a section up. When the pros inflate the tube, the epoxy presses against the damaged area, cures, hardens, and fills the leak. They will then deflate and remove the tube.
When pipes have extensive damage, a full line replacement rather than a repair is the solution. There are two main methods used for this process.
Traditionally sewer line replacement involves carving a large trench in your property to find and replace the entire piping length. It’s a pretty invasive process and could involve excavating sidewalks, driveways, patios, lawns, and more. It can also take several days to complete.
After replacing the line and filling the trench, you must repair any damage done to landscapes and hardscapes.
Trenchless sewer line replacement is much less invasive than the traditional methods and is now the preferred method for many professionals. No trenches are required, and you won’t have any major damage to your lawn.
Instead, “pipe bursting” involves destroying the existing line and immediately replacing it with a new one by digging only strategic access points.
Although it can be a slightly more expensive technique, it saves a lot of disruption, is much faster (often completed in one day), and you won’t have the costs associated with repairing the damage done by digging the trenches.
The cost for a sewer line replacement will depend on the type of technique used, the length of the pipe, and the complexities of access and excavation.
For shallow pipes that require little digging and those not underneath hardscaping or near utilities, it may be slightly cheaper to replace a pipe using the traditional methods. However, you’ll then have to factor in the costs to repair the excavation damage after.
For long, deep pipes that require extensive excavation, it may work out cheaper to opt for the trenchless technique—and it’ll save a lot of headaches in terms of convenience and disruption.
You can expect to pay up to $250 per linear foot, and complete replacement using both methods can cost anywhere from around a few thousand dollars to more than $25,000.
Most standard insurance policies don’t cover sewer line replacement unless a third party has caused unexpected damage.
If you have worries about the costs associated with work like this, particularly if you have old pipes, home warranty companies often offer support as part of their septic system coverage. Standalone insurance to cover septic systems is also possible, but it can be expensive.
Sewer line replacements can be complex, invasive, and costly jobs. Making sure you select a reputable local sewer line repair and replacement professional to conduct any work will ensure things go as smoothly as possible.
A licensed plumbing contractor should be qualified for the job, and some companies specialize in repairing and replacing sewer lines. Take the time to get quotes from at least three professionals, and don’t be afraid to ask to see evidence of their qualifications, licensing, and references.
Sewer line replacement usually requires homeowners to obtain a permit. If you hire a reputable professional, they’ll know the local codes and can support you through the application process.
This depends on the issue you’re facing. If the main sewer line has small cracks or holes, an expert can easily and quickly repair these without you having to worry about a costly replacement. However, sewer lines that have fully ruptured, have more significant cracks or leaks, or have reached the end of their natural life span (50 to 100 years) will need to be replaced.
Most people choose PVC, or polyvinyl chloride/plastic, for their sewer line material. PVS has many advantages over other types of pipes. Mainly, PVC can resist corrosion and chemical damage, is lightweight (making it easier to install), is budget-friendly, and has an impressive life span (typically around 100 years).
Anywhere from 18 inches to 8 feet deep. Your depth depends on soil and weather conditions in your area. If you live in a colder region, your lines are likely to be deeper than the lines of those living in warmer regions. Contact your local sanitation department or wastewater control board to get the plans for your system and find out for sure how deep your sewer lines are buried.
Probably not. However, this depends on the rules in your area. In most places, connecting new lines to an existing line is not up to code. As such, most new home builds or additions will require proposals for an entirely new line from the construction site to the sewer. A local septic pro will have more details on the laws in your area.
