Sewer Repair and Replacement FAQ

The cost depends on various factors such as the severity of the clog, accessibility to the problem area, procedures needed to fix the clog, tools needed to resolve the problem, and your location. Costs can widely range from $165 to $600. Because of the variability, getting a quote will provide more accurate insight into your situation.

A clogged drain can be an emergency. If it is severe enough, it can cause damage to pipes, water damage to your home, or pose as a health danger especially when dealing with sewage. A minor clog can eventually build up and result in severe damage underground and in your home if it is not addressed as soon as possible.

Signs that your main drain is clogged include water backing up out of drains when using other appliances and having multiple backed-up drains in your home. Plumbing experts can check for problems in your main drain with a sewer snake or sewer camera.

Sewer lines need to be replaced if they are severely damaged, such as in the case of a sewer line burst. Some signs of damage include frequent sewage backups, odor, slow drainage, and sewage bubbling in the yard

A sewer scope can cost $100 and up. However, Simply Sewers offers special deals for residential sewer scopes and cleaning, currently at $79.

Simply Sewers technicians can use sewer scopes to view deep inside sewer lines revealing any broken sewers. Other signs you may notice are backups in your drains, slow drainages, foul smells, mold in your home due to the leaking water, and wet spots in your lawn.

A sewer line repair usually costs anywhere from $90 to $200 per foot. The cost ultimately depends on considerations like pipe accessibility, pipe material, and the severity of the damage so getting a quote will provide a more accurate estimate for you.

The cost of replacing the main water line depends on how much work needs to be put in. The difficulty in replacing a line depends on the pipe’s accessibility, material, how much of it needs to be replaced, and any additional products needed as part of the replacement. Costs can range from $30 to $120 per foot.

A collapsed sewer line is often accompanied by frequent backups in the drain, foul odors, gurgling sounds from drains, and soaked spots on your lawn due to the leaking water.

Removing roots from a sewer line can cost up to $600. Note that this estimate does not include the cost of repairing the sewer line. Getting a quote will provide the most accurate estimate for you.

The traditional installation of a new sewer line requires contractors to dig up parts of your property in order to place pipes underground. Trenches should be as narrow as possible to not disturb the soil; however, some digging is unavoidable. Even with trenchless sewer repairs and replacements, some digging is required to access the pipe underground.

Trenchless sewer replacement does not involve digging a large hole in your yard as traditional methods do. There is significantly less damage made by only drilling holes at the end of your pipelines instead.

Getting plumbing service after hours does typically cost more compared to making an appointment during business hours. Charges vary from company to company, but, generally, service after hours, on weekends, and on holidays typically cost more in the form of higher hourly rates or greater flat fees.

Plumbers either use a drain snake or a hydro-jetting machine. A manual drain snake is a small device that rotates as it passes through a clogged drain. These are used for minor clogs to clear debris. A motorized drain snake provides more power for larger clogs compared to a manual snake. They are inserted into a sewer cleanout port from the outside of your home rather than from inside. A hydro-jetting machine is used for clogs that are much further down the line. It uses high-pressure water jets to clear the pipe of any stuck debris.

Snaking a drain by yourself can make a clog worse if you are not fully aware of the problem. For example, if your pipes are old, snaking a drain can cause pieces of metal to come off, worsen the clog, and require more extensive repairs. Having a professional diagnose the clog, with equipment like a sewer camera, can ensure the proper tools and methods are used to resolve the issue.

You should have your drains cleared about every 2 years. Even if you do not suspect a clog or are not experiencing any consequences of a clogged drain, having regular drain snaking can prevent minor buildups from escalating to full-on clogs.

You should have your drains cleared about every 2 years. Even if you do not suspect a clog or are not experiencing any consequences of a clogged drain, having regular drain snaking can prevent minor buildups from escalating to full-on clogs.

The cost of installing a toilet can range from $120 to $800. This range takes into account the type of toilet to be installed and any extra features to add on.

If you cannot resolve a clogged drain with safe measures like using a plunger, drain snake, or a chemical solution yourself, you should call a plumber. An initial clog may be caused by a more severe underlying problem that can worsen over time or if continuously probed at.

Backed up sewers are accompanied by a potent smell, slow drainage, and gurgling noises from the toilet. These are signs that water and other materials are not able to smoothly pass through the sewage line and are building up instead.

A sewer scope inspection is recommended if you deal with repeated clogs, backups, or slow drainage. Because sewer scopes provide live video feed of your sewer lines, they are efficient at uncovering root causes of sewage problems which allow technicians to suggest the best solutions.

A sewer scope consists of a technician running a sewer camera through branch lines, from showers or sinks to the mainline. The camera may also be pushed down the main sewer line. Throughout the process, you will be able to view live footage of your pipes and any obstructions that are causing blockage.

Replacing a sewer line can range from 1 day to 5 days depending on the location of the pipe, pipe material, length and size of the pipe, and the type of damage that has called for a replacement.

Standard homeowners’ insurance covers sewer line repairs to an extent. They cover repairs if the damage is due to another party’s actions or incidents like a tree falling and damaging the pipes. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover repairs if the damage was due to natural disasters or clogs. Check with your insurance policy to determine the coverage.

No, you are responsible for the sewer line lateral that connects your property to the City’s main sewer line.

A broken sewer pipe can lead to issues like sewer odors, slow drainage in toilets, mold growth, and foundation cracks due to water weakening your home’s structure.

You can estimate how long main sewer lines will last depending on the material. For example, PVC lasts the longest at around 100 years, clay lasts about 50 to 60 years, and Orangeburg lasts the shortest at roughly 30 to 50 years.

Naturally, it can take years for the ground to settle completely. It is difficult to estimate the time as it varies by location as moisture from rain can help it settle slightly faster.

Home warranty plans cover indoor plumbing, which includes toilets and sinks. However, plans may not cover sewer lines as they extend from your property to the City’s main line. Coverage varies from plan to plan so refer back to your warranty to verify.

The cost of snaking a drain depends on the market, the type of drain, and the severity of the clog. Companies often charge a flat-rate fee that ranges as low as $80 to as high as $600. However, nationally, the cost to snake a drain averages around $200 for kitchen, bathroom, and laundry drains. These estimates do not include service fees.

How long it takes to snake a drain depends on where the clog is and how severe it is. Loose clogs near the tub, toilet, or sink basin usually take about 5 to 10 minutes. Clogs near the main sewer line can take hours to clear since it is harder to access.

Snaking a drain can damage pipes. Especially if it is old, snaking can cause pieces of metal to come off which would require repairs to the pipes. This proves why leaving snaking to professionals can save you time and money in the long run.

Kitchen sinks are prone to clogs because of the materials that pass through them every day. Clogs in the kitchen can result from cooking grease, oils, and foods that get lodged in the pipe. Add in soap scum and stubborn clogs can form very quickly.

A leak is usually a sign of other underlying problems down the line. For this reason, leaks should be fixed as soon as possible. If the leak can be contained in a bucket, it may not be a huge emergency. However, if it cannot be contained, it is an emergency that needs professional attention.

The most common plumbing problems are typically minor. These issues include:

• Dripping faucets that need replacement or re-fitting of parts like rubber washers

• Running toilets due to loose-fitting parts like flapper

• Leaky pipes caused by improper joint fitting or worn out fillers

• Low water pressure caused by damaged pipes, silent leaks, or clogs in the drain

• Clogged drains from the build-up of debris that require the use of drain snakes or hydro-jetting