Do I Need My Sewer Repaired?

When Do I Need My Sewer Repaired?

Sewer repair is something that no one really likes to think about or deal with. It's a messy job, but it's also an important part of keeping your home safe and healthy. So when is the right time to do some sewer repairs? Well, the simplest answer is that if you have any kind of problem with your sewer system - like slow draining, foul odors, or even backups - it's time to get a professional in there.

In order to determine the exact cause of the problem, we'll use trenchless technology and video camera inspections of pipes. This allows us to quickly identify what type of repair will best suit your needs without having to dig up your whole yard. We might suggest spot repairs for small issues or replace sections of pipe for larger problems.

We'll offer the available options - and ALWAYS PROVIDE UPFRONT PRICING. No matter what we decide is necessary for your situation, rest assured that we'll work quickly and efficiently so you can get back on track as soon as possible!

Conclusion: I'm sure you're wondering when it's time to get your sewer repaired. Generally speaking, if you're noticing any of the following symptoms, it's time to call a professional for help: foul odors coming from your drains, gurgling noises in the pipes, backups and slow-draining sinks or toilets. While these may seem minor at first, they are usually signs that something much bigger is going on and can quickly turn into a costly repair if ignored.

Fortunately, I'm here to help! Our team has years of experience diagnosing and repairing all kinds of sewer issues. We use the latest technology and techniques to identify the source of the problem quickly, so we can get your plumbing back up and running in no time. Plus, my team provides quality workmanship that ensures your repairs will last for years to come.

So don't wait - if you suspect there might be an issue with your sewer system, give us a call right away! I'll be happy to help you find the best solution for your needs and budget. Together we can make sure your sewer system is running smoothly again in no time.

A sewer line is a single pipe that carries wastewater from a house to the main sewage line and then to a facility that recycles water. A sewage line will ultimately start to deteriorate and require either a repair or a complete replacement, just like any other component of a home's plumbing system.


If not correctly fixed, cracked sewer pipes can release unpleasant aromas, result in rodent and insect infestations, promote the growth of mold and mildew, and create a hazardous living environment.

sewage pipe ruptured?
Don't wait to ask for assistance. Obtain free, no-obligation project estimates from nearby repair services.

Sewer pipe repair costs are influenced by a number of variables, some of which have a greater bearing than others. The following factors should be taken into account by homeowners who want to estimate the cost of repairing a fractured sewer line.

Pipe Composition
There are numerous materials that can be used to create sewer pipes. A common plastic substance is ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene). In comparison to other materials, it is very inexpensive, lightweight, and simple to install. Homeowners should anticipate to pay between $135 and $254 for 48 linear feet of ABS.

Another plastic material frequently used for sewer pipes is PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Cast iron and copper are two other typical building materials. Both outperform plastic materials in terms of strength and durability, but these advantages come at a cost. For 48 linear feet of material, cast iron costs between $1,104 and $3,600, while copper is considerably more expensive, with a starting price of $3,954 for just under 50 feet of material.


Site of the Pipe
The cost of repairing a sewer line is significantly influenced by its location. For instance, the price to replace the main sewer pipe or the sewer line from the house to the street ranges from $530 to $2,270. Longer distances or the requirement for trenching might significantly increase repair prices to $20,000 or more.

Pipe Size
Many contractors charge by the foot when fixing sewer systems. Longer lengths often require more work, thus this is a straightforward statistic that accounts for both the cost of materials and labor.

Size of the Damage
Sewer pipes are susceptible to weakening, cracking, and collapse. When they require repair, the degree of the damage has a significant impact on the project's overall cost.

For instance, it will probably be less expensive to reinforce a short section of sewer pipe than to completely replace a long section of collapsed pipe. Being proactive about sewer line repair is crucial for a number of reasons, including this one. Early problem detection can assist avoid a later invasive, time-consuming, and expensive repair.

Repair Approach
There are numerous ways to fix a broken sewer line, each having advantages and disadvantages. Each sort of repair has an impact on the overall project cost.


A comprehensive replacement technique called pipe bursting involves stretching the old pipe using a tool until it breaks. At the end of the sewage line, a hole is drilled, and a machine pushes the broken pipe out of it so that the new pipe can be fed into the same location.

A cracked pipe can be fixed using cured-in-place pipe lining, or CIPP, without having to dig it up. This technique involves inserting an epoxy-coated liner into a sewer tube. It is inflated, and after drying, it forms a new, sturdy inner surface inside a fractured pipe.

Spin-casting, a technique similar to CIPP, is utilized in sewer pipe sections where a liner cannot fit. Instead, to strengthen a damaged pipe, a resin liner is sprayed inside of it. This procedure costs the same as CIPP does.

Sewer pipe repair is not a DIY project.

Camera Examination
To correctly identify a sewer line in trouble, cameras are frequently employed. Plumbers can use sewer cameras to inspect any current problems closely and identify any potential future problems. This means that homeowners can use camera inspections as preventative measures as well as after a calamity has already occurred.

Sewer camera checks are non-intrusive, which is good news. To get to the pipe in question, no grass, landscaping, driveways, walks, patios, or slabs need to be taken out or dug through. This makes the process simple and quick. Costs for sewer video inspections range from $100 to $500.

Trenchless versus conventional repairs
Homeowners will want to be aware that there are price differences to take into account when trying to pick between standard and trenchless sewage line repair. In a classic sewer line repair, the damaged or broken sewer pipe is dug up, and then a new one is installed. For this, a trench several feet broad and several feet deep must be dug. It's a time-consuming, labor-intensive task that can utterly destroy a home's landscaping and is frequently more expensive.


Trenchless repair eliminates the need for invasive digging and cuts down on needless labor, making it a quicker, cleaner, and more cost-effective sewage line repair solution. The trenchless approach isn't usually the most affordable and isn't always an option for repairs. A homeowner shouldn't automatically rule out a traditional route, but in many situations, a trenchless method is less expensive because it cuts down on unnecessary labor costs and cleanup duties.

Tree Root Extraction
Tree roots have the ability to damage sewer pipelines and result in sinkholes, gurgling toilets, and slow drains. Unfortunately, the moisture and nutrients in a sewer pipe attract tree roots.

Although there aren't many symptoms in the early stages, when sewage line roots thicken and spread out, they can start to jam pipes and finally burst them. Unfortunately, home remedies don't always work to stop significant and expensive problems brought on by tree roots. The best course of action for tree roots in a sewage system is to contact a professional.

Lawn Maintenance
The cost of yard cleanup is frequently disregarded when sewer line repairs are being made.
To restore a yard to its previous state prior to sewer line repairs, it may occasionally need more than simple cleanup. Sod installation might be a quick aesthetic remedy if large portions of the yard were dug up for access.

Types of repairs for cracked sewer pipes
Professionals have a variety of options when it comes to fixing a broken sewer pipe. Every repair work is different, and circumstances rather than personal taste may dictate the type of repair that is done. Understanding some of the most popular options will help homeowners comprehend a repair quotation because the approach chosen does affect the overall repair cost.

Pipe Lining That Is Cure-In-Place (CIPP)

Trenchless repair techniques like CIPP cost between $80 and $250 per foot. The costs of turning off the service, cleaning the pipeline, and performing a comprehensive inspection to make sure the project is completed safely and effectively are included in this pricing. A contractor inflates a flexible liner after inserting it into the existing pipe. The pipe is returned to nearly brand-new condition once the liner dries and hardens.


Without the extra work, expense, and hassle of digging, professionals may repair sewer lines that are generally physically good thanks to CIPP. All types of sewer pipe materials can be repaired with this technique, however a conventional repair approach can be less expensive for shallow pipelines or those that can be accessed without destroying too much vegetation or breaking through a road.

Pipe Bursting

Another trenchless repair technique is pipe bursting, which places a new pipe in the same spot as the old one. Since there is less excavation required, this type of rehabilitation is frequently more economical. Although more difficult jobs might cost up to $200 per foot, pipe bursting can cost as little as $60 per foot.

When a pipe is burst, a tool is used to extend the current pipe until it breaks. The sewage line's end hole is then made large enough for the new pipe to be dragged behind the same tool once those parts have been shoved through it. With this, the pipe is simultaneously replaced and the old one is taken out.

It's not funny when a sewer pipe breaks.

Trenching
A common sewer line repair technique called trenching is excavating toward a broken pipe, removing it, and replacing it. The type of pipe, its width, the length of the damaged area, the number of bends and connecting points, and other variables all affect the overall cost.

Do I need to repair a cracked sewer pipe?

An annoyance like a fractured sewer pipe can rapidly become a significant health risk. To prevent ignoring a problem for too long, a homeowner must have a full awareness of the various signs that fractured sewer pipes exhibit. The following are some of the most typical indications that suggest a potential sewer pipe crack and demand a professional's attention.


Backups of sewage
Sewage backing up into a house is almost always an indication of a clogged pipe as opposed to a cracked pipe, but it is never a good sign. Homeowners should be aware that a single clogged or backed-up drain may not be indicative of a larger problem with the entire system. However, if more than one drain or location is clogging, there may be a significant sewer problem present. The quickest approach to identify a significant problem like a sewage backup is to hire a professional to do a camera-assisted sewer check.

Unwelcome odors
Unpleasant odors do not enter a home from a properly operating sewer system. This is why one of the most obvious indicators of a cracked drain pipe in a home is the smell of sewer gas. If hazardous sewer gases are being released into a residence through a cracked pipe, more investigation is necessary.

Sewer odors are most frequently detected in the basement of a house, but if a pipe is ruptured, sewer gases can also be detected outside. Homeowners are encouraged to call a contractor right away—and not simply because the scent is disagreeable. In large concentrations, sewer gas can be poisonous.

existing mold
A broken sewage line may leak moisture, which can eventually cause mold to grow. There could be a number of causes for mold growth on walls, floors, or ceilings in a house. Particularly if there is an unpleasant smell in the air, a cracked septic line may be to blame.

Mold spores can cause severe allergic reactions, and they can even cause damage to a home’s interior, exterior, and foundation over time. Mold should be removed as soon as possible and safely. Mold cannot be prevented from returning by merely clearing it up. If a cracked sewer line is to blame, it will need to be repaired, or mold will continue to grow.

Gurgling or Sluggish Drains
A single slow drain does not always indicate a broken sewer pipeline. But slow drains throughout the home often signal a blockage, which can eventually lead to a backup problem. If the clogs have been cleared in the past but the problem keeps returning, tree roots breaking into the pipe could be to blame.

Chemical drain cleaners won’t typically work, and they can even corrode cast iron and certain types of plastic drain pipes. Instead, homeowners should consult a specialist to identify the problem and offer a solution.

While a bit different from slow drains, gurgling drains and pipes can be another sign of an issue with a home’s sewer system. A cracked sewer line can bubble, creating a gurgling noise that can be heard through kitchen and bathroom drains.


Unusually Green Grass
A cracked sewer pipe is essentially dumping fertilizer into a lawn. All those nutrients can quickly create unusually green patches of grass in comparison to the rest of the landscape. While this may not seem like a serious issue at first, ignoring lush grass that signals a cracked sewer line can lead to a buildup of toxins in the soil. If the area is disturbed by being walked upon, these toxins can quickly be released.

However, if there are indications like a foul odor or sudden sinkholes in a lawn, lush green spots could be proof of a cracked sewer pipe. If there are other factors that could cause patchy grass, such as unstable weather conditions or the use of herbicides in certain areas of a lawn, suddenly greener spots may not signal a sewer issue.

Yard Flooding
A yard that suddenly gets soggy could be the result of a cracked sewer line. When this is the case, a foul odor will almost always be present. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that a yard flooded with sewage material is likely to attract insects and rodents. Dangerous sinkholes can also develop, and the strong presence of bacteria can create a serious health hazard. It’s best for homeowners to avoid the area until a professional has confirmed the source of the sudden increase in moisture and the problem has been resolved.

Foundation Issues
Cracks in a concrete slab or supporting walls can signal a cracked sewer pipe. While such developments are typical as homes settle, the sudden appearance of new cracks can be a sign of a broken sewer line washing away the soil supporting the foundation.

If a sewer crack is suspected due to foundation cracks, homeowners will want to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. The problem is only likely to become worse, causing severe structural damage that can be dangerous and expensive to repair. As with so many other signs of a cracked sewer, acting quickly is the best way to save on cracked sewer pipeline repairs and ideally avoid the high cost of foundation repair.


Rodent or Insect Infestation
Rodents can squeeze into small cracks, including those that develop in a sewer pipe. Since sewer pipes are connected to a home, a sudden infestation of rodents can be a sign of a sewer line crack.

Insects can also enter a home via cracks or breaks in a sewer line. Once they find a way in, they can multiply rapidly thanks to stagnant water. If a homeowner is noticing infestations of rodents or insects, even after having an exterminator come out to service their home, a cracked sewer pipe could be the reason. Both rodents and insects can cause serious health issues and need to be dealt with as soon as possible.