This can be disconcerting if you’ve ever been told that your home requires a sewer line repair or replacement. Approximately 800,000 miles of public sewers in the U.S. are supplemented by 500,000 miles of private sewer connections. So, there will always be parts of the sewer line network that require repair or outright replacement. The health of sewer lines isn’t solely a problem for public infrastructure. As a homeowner, there may come a time when you need to understand the difference between a sewer line repair and replacement to make informed decisions.
A Brief Primer
Clearing or repairing a sewer line is beyond the capabilities of most homeowners. Although it’s a great idea to invest in a few plumbing augurs (snakes) of different sizes to clear clogs, they can only go to a limited depth. If there is an obstruction or deeper damage in the sewer line, it’s impossible to reach with a plumbing snake.
There may be a temptation to hire a hydrojetting machine to attempt a DIY repair. This urge should be resisted. This is specialized equipment, and it’s all too easy to cause more damage.
Another common problem is that the homeowner may add an acidic cleaner to the drain to clear a clog that’s near the drain entrance or further into the system. These types of products contain caustic chemicals that damage the pipes. Even if they do remove a clog, it usually returns because the underlying issues have not been addressed. If you suspect that you have a sewer line problem, contact a local professional plumber for expert help and advice.
Evaluating the Scale of the Problem
A professional plumber can use a sewer line camera to examine problem areas within the pipes. This can give the technician the opportunity to evaluate the scale of the problem before any intrusive action is taken. The plumber will know if they need to dig and exactly where to dig, reducing the cost of the repair or replacement.
Understanding Sewer Line Repairs
A sewer line repair is more common than a replacement, and a minor issue, such as leaks, cracks, clogs, or root intrusions, typically causes it. As you might expect, a repair will usually be cheaper than a sewer line replacement. Only an isolated section of the sewer line will need to be accessed and fixed to restore normal operations. There are multiple ways to repair a sewer line:
- Hydro Jetting: The plumber uses a high-powered water jet to cut into and break apart debris, tree roots, and other clogs blocking the sewer line. The pipes will usually be restored to their original diameter, which may improve drainage. But, there are risks; hydrojetting is very aggressive and can cause additional damage to the sewer lines. This may necessitate additional repairs, and any intrusion points must be sealed, too. This option is a bonus because a sewer line camera helps the repair technician see where he needs to cut.
- Cable Cleaning: This is a general routine maintenance approach to clear smaller drains and sewer lines. A cable fitted with spinning blades is inserted into the line, cutting through clogs to clear them.
Understanding Sewer Line Replacements
This may be necessary if the damage to the sewer line is too severe to repair. Those leaks and cracks may have developed into significant breaks that cannot be repaired. The wall of the sewer line may be compromised, there could be sagging issues, and a replacement will always cost more money. There are a couple of options to explore, and one is more extensive than the other:
- A Full Pipe Replacement: This is less likely today than it was only a few years ago and can be a pervasive project. Replacing entire sections of the sewer line may be necessary if the pipe has collapsed due to severe tree root intrusion. Sometimes, a pipe replacement may be the only option to explore.
- Repiping: A pipe replacement may be necessary in many cases, but it can be done differently to save time and money. With repiping, an epoxy sleeve is fed into the existing pipe after any obstructions are cut apart and cleared. The sleeve acts as the new sewer line inside what’s left of the old sewer line. This is the best option to hope for, and in some instances, it’s not an option due to the extent of the damage.
What are the Main Causes of Sewer Line Damage?
Because our sewer lines are located underground, it’s easy to forget about them and imagine that they are safe from potential sources of damage. This is a mistake; there are many ways that the sewer lines can be damaged, and regular maintenance is the best way to protect them. The alternative can be an expensive repair or replacement bill.
Let’s look at some of the leading causes of damage to sewer lines:
Tree Root Intrusions:
The trees’ roots always seek sources of moisture and nutrients to grow. Even a tiny leak from a sewer line can draw tree roots toward the line to feed on the contents. Over time, the tree root may even grow into the hole, open it up into a larger crack, and break as it grows. Eventually, the sewer line will fail, and the inner diameter of the pipe will be filled with tree roots. This is a very common problem in older homes that are still using clay sewer pipes that are far more susceptible to this type of damage.
Cold Ground Temperatures:
If you live in an area prone to very low temperatures during the winter months, your sewer lines may be at risk. The water within the pipe can freeze and expand, causing it to burst like regular plumbing pipes.
Pipe Corrosion:
Many sewer pipes are made from metals like cast iron or steel with galvanized surfaces. These were in use from the late 1800s onwards and were a popular option in homes built in the 1950s and 1960s. However, the galvanized metal, which is designed to prevent corrosion, actually led to leaks and cracks later. When these pipe materials fail, they require extensive repairs or replacement to fix the problems.
Clogged Sewer Lines:
A sewer pipe may seem like a challenging piece of pipe, but really, they are only designed to carry wastewater, human waste, and toilet paper. If the wrong items are flushed, they can become caught in the sewer line and become formidable clogs. As more material is flushed, it may be added to the clog as the inner diameter of the pipe narrows. The worst materials to flush include cooking oil, sanitary wipes, diapers, kitchen towels, food wrappers, and more. A drain cleaning liquid will not clear the clog, so manual removal is needed, and a standard plumbing snake won’t stretch that far.
How to Identify a Sewer Line Problem
If a toilet is backing up into your home and spilling sewage over your floors, it’s pretty apparent that you have a sewer line problem. However, this type of issue tends to occur late, and there are usually multiple warnings to heed beforehand. Some of these signs of a problem are easier to identify than others, but if you know what to look for, you can save yourself a lot of hassle, and maybe you can lower the final repair bill:
The Water Won’t Drain:
Although this clog may be formed in the drains closer to the surface, it may persist after cleaning. Areas such as showers are very susceptible due to the hair and soap scum that can form clogs that are tough to remove. But, if you discover that all the drains are starting to run slower or not draining, the problem lies more deeply in the plumbing system. A tree root intrusion probably causes deeper sewer line clogs.
A Flooded Yard:
Under normal circumstances, a yard shouldn’t flood, and a sewer line maybe 2-6 feet deep. But if the lines are closer to the surface or the pipes are broken, there could be a lot of water and smelly sewage noticeable on the surface.
Signs of Water Damage:
When a sewer line is clogged or damaged, water can gradually make its way back into your home. At first, it may appear as a spread of mold in places that you cannot see and then out onto the walls and floors. These surfaces will become compromised, the drywall may degrade, floorboards can crack and warp, and carpets can be ruined.
In Conclusion
It’s important to remember that a sewer line problem will not improve without professional intervention. The problem will only worsen over time, and at a later stage, it will cost more to fix. Adopt a proactive approach with regular maintenance from your local professional plumber, and any potential issues can be solved earlier.
