2022 Sewer Line Replacement & Repair Costs
Your underground sewer system is a lot more fragile than you would think. Therefore, you may come across sewer pipe problems that require you to repair or replace certain parts. This project can be costly, so it’s a good idea to figure out potential costs beforehand.
The average cracked sewer pipe repair cost is $2,563. Homeowners spend an average of $49 per square foot to replace a cast-iron pipe, and it costs $300 in labor. It costs $88 per square foot to replace plastic sewer pipes and $67 to replace a clay sewer pipe.
Sewage can start to leak into a basement, into the void under a home or veranda, or below paving areas. The first sign of a sewage leak is a foul odor that doesn’t go away. Not only is this unpleasant, but it’s also a health hazard. This cost guide will explain the costs that could be involved in replacing or repairing a damaged sewer.
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Cost To Replace Sewer Line | |||
Low | Typical Range | Average | High |
$500 | $1073 – $4054 | $2,550 | $15,000 |
Cost To Replace Sewer Line
Replacing a damaged sewer line costs between $50 and $250 per foot. Typically, the price ranges from $50-$125 per foot.
The calculation is based on the kind of piping already in place. It also depends on the length of the pipe you’ll need and where it is located. Sewer pipe repairs usually require installing some new parts, so your plumber will be able to advise whether it would be more cost-effective to replace it altogether.
An initial diagnosis with a professional in-pipe camera service is an up-front expense that can save you time and money, giving you a proper understanding of the problem. The total price of repairs will depend on the:
- Cause of the problem
- The complexity of the project
- Repair options available
- Related projects caused by collateral damage.
New Sewer Line Costs
Expect to pay between $1000 and $4000 for a replacement sewer lining. The most common recommendation is to use a material such as PVC. You could also opt to use cast iron, but this is 2 to 4 times more expensive. Your existing piping will influence, which is the best choice.
Sewer Line Materials Cost And Information
Not every sewer line needs to be replaced. Materials such as Orangeburg, Clay, or Cast Iron are typically found in older properties. As some old materials can be re-used, check whether your plumber will give you a discount for them to haul away.
These days the most popular choice for home drain lines is ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) pipes. Based on rubber resin, these range in price from $1.87 to $5.35 per foot. They usually come in 10′ pieces.
Sewer Line Materials | ||
Material | Cost | Life Span |
Cast Iron | $23 – $75 per foot | 50 – 75 years |
Orangeburg Pipe | $75 – $250 per foot | 50 years |
Plastic | $52 – $125 per foot | 100 years |
Clay | $45 – $90 | 30 -50 years |
Lead | Toxic- Do not use | |
Cast Iron Pipe
Cast-iron pipes typically function for 50-75 years before they need to be replaced. With cast-iron lines, the best option is a full replacement. This is because their structure is damaged when repairs are made.
Machinery is needed to remove and replace the heavy pipes. Expect a 4″ to 12″ flanged cast-iron pipe to cost between $23 and $75 per foot, with at least $300 for labor cost and other fittings. The cost of digging and backfill will be extra.
Orangeburg Pipe
Orangeburg pipes are made from wood pulp, and so may decompose over time. Your plumber will advise if the best option to repair Orangeburg pipes is the trenchless lining.
The advantage of trenchless piping is that they don’t need to be removed as it lines existing pipes. You’re more or less just relining sewer pipe. The price of trenchless sewer line repair varies from $75 to $250 per foot.
Although Orangeburg pipes can last for up to 50 years, there are cases of failure after ten years. It is now no longer considered an acceptable option in many building codes, due to possible damage under pressure.
Lead
Although lead pipes can last up to 100 years, if you even suspect that your pipes are made of lead, they need to be removed and replaced without delay! Lead is now known to be highly toxic and, over time, can lead to people being poisoned.
Plastic
PVC pipes can last 100 years before requiring replacement. PVC is also the most widely used material for sewer pipe lines due to its durable nature. The best part about this form of pipe is that it is also budget-friendly, costing between $52 to $125 per foot.
Clay Sewer Pipe
Clay has the shortest useful life of any sewer line material, 30-50 years. Individuals would often find themselves frequently replacing clay sewer pipe, which would cost a fortune at $45 to $90 per foot. While the materials themselves aren’t too expensive, the frequency they needed repair and replacement made them so.
Main Sewer Pipe Replacement From House To Street
The price of replacing a sewer line is typically $3000 to $6000, without the cost of digging trenches or removing damaged pipes. The price also depends on the connection to the primary sewer system. A new line, extending away from your property, may cost as much as $25,000.
Cost To Replace Basement Sewer Line
The average price of the repair to a drain line is around $600. However, this excludes the cost of breaking concrete to replace pipes under a basement, costing several hundred dollars more in labor alone.
Drain lines are located inside the home and connect to the sewer lines on the property. Drain lines repairs are not included in sewer line projects.
Average Cost To Replace Sewer Line Beneath Slab
Trenching under concrete slabs will cost an additional $150 to $200 per foot. To avoid this expense, your plumber will be able to advise whether trenchless sewer line replacement is an option for your property.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Plumbing Breaks Under Slab?
If a peril covered under your policy causes a break in your sewer line under you the slab, then yes, your homeowners’ insurance should cover this. However, you need to check the fine print of your policy. Sometimes there are exempt factors. For instance, if you have lead pipes, your policy may not cover you.
Sewer Trap Replacement Cost
A plumber will be needed to replace a sewer trap. Expect to pay between $45 and $200 per hour and an additional $100 for materials. The trap is required to keep local wildlife and any gases entering your house via the pipes.
Sewer Line Repair Cost
The average cost of sewer line repair is $2,556. However, depending on the extent and type of damage, you can spend anything between $1,073 and $4,054. To replace a full sewer line, costs range between $3,000 and $25,000. As you can see, there’s a massive difference between the cost of sewer line repairs and sewer line replacements.
When sewage water backs up into your home or under your paved areas, it is not only annoying. It can also soon become a health hazard. It may be possible to repair a damaged section of the pipe, thereby saving a total replacement cost.
Costs To Repair Sewer Main Problems
As the average cost of a repair to a sewer main is around $2,600, it pays to keep an eye out for any signs of sewer problems before they escalate.
Sewer Main Problems | |
Problem | Cost |
Tree roots in the line | $100 – $600 |
Broken or cracked pipe | $1,050 |
Collapsed pipe | $50 – $250 per foot |
Age/Deterioration | $23 – $250 per foot |
Tree Roots In Sewer Line Cost
The cost to remove roots from a sewer line can run between $100 and $600. If you also need a camera inspection to check whether the roots have moved or damaged your pipes, the average cost is $350.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Tree Roots In Sewer Line?
The coverage for tree roots in sewer lines by your insurance policy depends on the company you go through. Some companies will state that they do not cover any of the underground plumbing. Make sure you read the fine print before signing.
Broken Or Cracked Sewer Pipe Repair Costs
The average cost of $1,050 applies when only part of the pipe needs repairing. However, if your lines are broken or cracked, then a full replacement is usually the only viable option.
Because a broken sewer pipe many have more than a single cause, it is useful to know the warning signs of a problem:
- Repeated clogs or sewage backup in the toilet can mean a blockage.
- Utility bills that are higher than average could mean water being lost due to damaged seals at the pipe joints.
- A strong rotting-eggs smell indicates the presence of sulfide gas, from the decomposition of waste that hasn’t cleared.
- Pools of water or sewage accumulated in one spot near your home could indicate that tree roots have damaged the pipes.
Cost Of Fixing Collapsed Pipe
The replacement of a collapsed sewer line will cost $50 to $250 per foot. If the damage is evident along a significant length of the line, it may be appropriate to replace the whole thing.
Age And Deterioration
A significant cause of sewer line damage is the pipe’s age.
Pipes made of older materials, as well as PVC, get damaged with age. As the earth moves and settles, pressure along the line is uneven, which causes stress and eventually can cause cracks.
Worn and damaged pipes can allow sewage waste to leak into the ground. Cleaning this up can be very costly, so it’s essential to deal with this kind of problem immediately.
Cost Of Digging Up Sewer Lines For Replacement Or Repairs
The digging and replacement of a sewer line are between $3,000 to $25,000, or $50 to $250 per foot. Expect trenching to cost between $4 to $12 per foot. If the excavation is complicated, your plumber may advise using a specialized contractor for this work.
Even though only a small section of pipe may need replacing, or some tree roots need removing, excavation and related costs can cause the price to increase quickly. If the lines run under the ground, gardens, driveways, and patios may be affected. There may also be additional costs for equipment hire, such as a backhoe, plus additional labor costs,
Trenchless Sewer Repair Or Replacement Costs
A Trenchless sewer line repair or replacement cost can vary from $60 to $250 per foot.
There are two options, and your plumber will advise on the most appropriate: CIPP (Cured-in-place-pipe) lining or pipe-bursting.
Trenchless Pipe Bursting Or Splitting
The trenchless pipe-bursting method costs around $60 to $200 per foot.
It doesn’t need a total excavation since it strictly follows the path of existing pipes. A pneumatic or hydraulic tool head breaks up existing clay or iron pipes while simultaneously, a new and flexible line is pulled through space.
At the same time, a new, flexible pipe is drawn through the original space. There is minimal damage to your landscaping and property. Taking It’s not an option for all repairs but may be worth considering.
Cured-In-Place Sewer Pipe Lining Cost Per Foot
CIPP lining costs $80 to $250 per foot. The average price per project is around $9,000. The plumber places an epoxy-soaked liner through the existing pipes. The diameter is slightly reduced in size. CIPP only needs one access point to be excavated, which limits the damage to your property.
Additional Cost Factors
If the outside areas of your property need to be disturbed, a significant part of the overall cost will be making good any damage.
Additional Costs For Project | |
Sewage Leak Under Slab | $2,200 – $10,000 |
Camera Inspections | $300 – $400 |
Landscape Replacement | $300 – $10,000 |
Driveway/Sidewalk Repaving | $2,300 – $6,200 |
Structure Replacement | $5 – $7,000 |
Sewage Leak Under Slab
Expect the cost of cleaning up sewage spill under the house to run you between $2,200 to $10,000. This will be influenced by the area affected and the extent of the damage.
Water and sewage seeping under the slab and potentially into your basement is a health hazard for the entire family. Prolonged exposure to sewage fumes and waste may result in harmful bacteria being ingested and cause disease.
Inhaling sewage fumes can trigger respiratory problems, eye irritation, and nausea, among other symptoms. In the worst cases, exposure to methane can be deadly.
Sewer Line Camera Inspections
Inspection with a sewer camera costs from $300-$400. It’s the best way to view the whole system. Using a camera, a professional can not only see the extent of a blockage, broken pipes, or other problems, he or she can identify the exact location.
Landscape Replacement
Repairing the landscaping damaged by excavations can range from $300 to $10,000, depending on the area and the damage. In addition to the ground being moved, projects involving sewer mains often cause holes, bare patches, and flattening of grass, which in turn prevents the soil from being aerated. New topsoil may be required as well as seeding and the replacement of plants and bushes.
Driveway Or Sidewalk Repaving
A driveway replacement will cost between $2,300 and $6,200 depending on the area.
When building a new house, it’s a good idea to enquire about the location of the sewer main, so that if it ever needs repair, damage to your driveway or landscaping will be minimized.
Replacing Structures
It is impossible to give a meaningful estimate of repairing or replacing patios or other structures, as these depend on size, materials used, labor costs, and other factors. This price has a wide range from $5 to $7,000 or above. It all depends on what you need to replace.
DIY VS Hiring A Professional
While it’s advisable to hire a plumber for sewage line replacement, there are several things that you can do on your own. If you need to repave your driveway or replace specific structures, you can save thousands of dollars by doing this on your own.
However, some sewage jobs are not as involved, which means that you can do these on your own as well. For example, if a line has burst under your foundation, this requires help of a professional. However, if you need to replace your drainpipe, this is easily done on your own. Just make sure your drainpipe is up to code!
Sewer Line Repair VS Sewer Line Replacement
A repair is the best option when there are splits or holes in your sewer line. If the damage is severe, it is better to opt for replacement. Once a pipe leak test has been carried out, there are two possibilities. The first is a trenchless repair. The second is to use a more traditional approach.
A trenchless repair is typically around half the cost of traditional work. For this reason, choose an expert plumber to advise you.
Assessing The Damage
It’s essential to consult a contractor with the relevant qualifications and experience. It can be tough to identify the root cause of a problem, especially in older homes, so use someone who can do this effectively.
Our strength lies in the fact that we use the latest trenchless plumbing technology. Using video cameras and hydrostatic pressure testing, we start with a comprehensive pipe leak test. The results of these determine the course of action we recommend
How Often Should You Replace Your Sewer Line?
How Do You Know Your Sewer Line Needs To Be Replaced?
A broken sewer line is the most common source of sewage backups. While it is preventable, you may not realize you have a problem until it is too late.
Here are a few indicators that it’s time to book a sewage line repair appointment to avoid more damage to your home.
Toilet Makes Gurgling Noise
When you flush the toilet, it creates noise. That does not, however, imply that it should begin making noise while no one is using it.
The bubbling you’re hearing is usually a sign of a sewage backup in your house. When water from the toilet hits a clog in the sewer line, it makes that noise. Because it can’t go down the drain, it’s forced back into your toilet.
Air bubbles rise with the water and displace the water in your bowl as a result. If you don’t fix it, you’ll have a serious sewage problem on your hands.
Toilet Backing Up When Flushed
Unfortunately, many people are unaware that they have a problem until the toilet overflows. When there’s a clog in the sewer system, the backup isn’t likely to be clear water.
Turn off the water supply at the rear of the toilet and call your plumber right away if your toilet starts to back up with either clear water or raw sewage.
Weird Smells Around The Home
Sewage has a distinctive odor. It’s not always easy to detect when it’s coming up through your house. It can smell musty or mildewy at times. It’s apparent for others. Pay attention to the odors in your home, particularly near the drains. If you detect an unpleasant odor, call your plumber right away.
When your sewer line is in good working order, the odors stay within. They should never be let into your house. If it’s damaged, however, you’ll be able to smell the problem.
Drains Do Not Drain
One of the most prevalent plumbing problems is clogged drains. However, just because they’re widespread doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.
Unfortunately, the only way to determine the severity of a clog is to contact a plumber. Attempting to clear the blockage with chemical drain cleaners risks causing damage to the rest of your plumbing.
If the clog is slight, your plumber will be able to clear it out fast. However, if your drains are slowing down due to an issue with your sewage system, no amount of DIY repair work will be able to undo the damage. To repair the damage, you’ll need the help of an expert.
Do You Need a Sewer Installation or Repair Contractor?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Related Questions
How much does epoxy pipe lining cost?
Expect to pay a plumber between $45 and $200 per hour to fix a short length of the damaged pipe. There will also be a nominal cost for the epoxy used to line a tube to fix minor cracks.
How much does a sewer sleeve cost?
This is another name for CIPP trenchless sewer line replacement. Expect to pay between $80 and $250 per foot.
How Much Does Descaling a Sewer Pipe Cost?
The average cost is around $300. The inside of the pipe is cleared without it being disturbed.
How long does it take to replace a sewer line?
Assuming you cannot just use a PVC crack sealer for a break in your line, a full replacement for your sewer line will take 3 to 5 days total. This largely depends on the length and location of your pipes.
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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