An initial diagnosis with a professional in-pipe camera service is an upfront expense that can save you time and money with a proper determination of the problem. The total price of repairs depends on the cause and complexity of the project, the repair options available, and related projects caused by collateral damage.

Sewer Line Replacement Cost

The cost to replace a sewer line ranges from $50 to $250 per foot. Most homeowners pay between $50 to $125 per foot.

The price you pay depends on the type of plumbing you already have, the length of the line and its placement on your property. Since repairing almost always involves putting in new equipment, ask your plumber if it makes more sense to do a full replacement.

New Sewer Line Costs: Cast Iron Pipe vs. Orangeburg

A new sewer lining costs about $1,000 to $4,000. The kind of piping you have affects your repair options. In most cases, your plumber will recommend replacing with a material like PVC. Cast iron is also an option that costs about 2 to 4 times as much as PVC. These common materials often have unique requirements:

• Cast Iron: Repairs often weaken the line, so total replacement is usually a better investment
• Orangeburg: Made of a wood pulp that disintegrates easily, but may be a candidate for trenchless lining
• Lead or Lead Solder: Leaches toxic substances into your water, requiring a pro trained in lead abatement
• Plastic: Breaks relatively easily, but can usually be replaced in parts

Main Sewer Pipe & Lateral Replacement from House to Street

Replacing a sewer line costs about $3,000 to $6,000 in most cases, but this may not include trenching or removal of the existing pipes. Price also depends on the location of the city’s connection point. You may pay as much as $25,000 to put in a new one that extends further into the street.

Cost Estimate to Replace Sewer Line in Basement

The cost to repair a drain line averages about $700. This estimate usually does not include cutting through concrete to replace pipes under your basement, which could add hundreds of dollars in labor to the project.

Drain lines run through the home and connect to the sewer lateral on the property. Any repairs to this plumbing are usually separate from sewer line work.

Average Cost to Replace Sewer Line Under Slab

Trenching under a slab often costs an extra $150 to $200 per foot. Ask your plumber if your home is a good candidate for trenchless sewer line replacement, which could limit or eliminate this expense.

Sewer Trap Replacement

Replacing a sewer trap requires hiring a plumber at $45 to $200 per hour, plus up to $100 in materials. This trap keeps fumes and small animals from invading your home through your pipes.

Costs to Repair Sewer Main Problems

With an average repair cost of $2,600, homeowners should pay keen attention to the symptoms of sewer system problems or damage.

Tree Roots in Sewer Line Costs

Removing tree roots from a sewer line costs $100 to $600. You may also need to pay for a sewer camera inspection, which averages $350. If the roots shifted or cracked the pipes, your plumber may recommend replacing at least a portion of the line.

Broken or Cracked Sewer Pipe Repair Costs

The cost to replace plumbing runs $1,100 on average if you’re only changing a portion of the line. Replacement is usually your only option for broken or cracked equipment.

A broken or cracked sewer main pipe can have more than one cause. Your home has an inherent early warning detection system which makes it easier for homeowners to be proactive against further damage - if they know the signs:

• Persistent drain clogs or a noticeable backup of sewage in the toilet can suggest a blockage.
• Higher than normal utility bills can indicate damaged seals at pipe joints, causing excess water to spill from the system.
• A powerful sulfur smell (like rotten eggs) demonstrates a buildup of sulfide gas from long-standing and decomposing waste.
• Excessive water or sewage in one location within the yard or around the home may mean that tree roots have penetrated the pipes.

Cost to Fix a Collapsed Line

A collapsed sewer line requires replacement, which costs $50 to $250 per foot. If the damage runs a significant distance, a complete redo may be more appropriate.

Signs of a Clogged Pipe Inside the Home

• Bubbling or Gurgling Sounds: If you hear this sound coming from the toilet, you should pay the price to hire a plumber, which runs $45 to $200 per hour. This noise occurs when the gas venting system is blocked, causing trapped air to move through the sewer lines and escape out of the bowl.
• Slow-Flowing Drains: The cost to clear a clogged drain averages about $225. Clogs are a common cause of slow draining, especially if homeowners routinely use the sink or toilet to dispose of products such as oil, grease or hair.
• Foul Smells: Clogged drains can also generate the smell of rotting food, especially in the kitchen. Over time, a collection of large food particles and oils may require a professional solution with an electric snake or power auger.

Cost to Dig Up Sewer Lines for Replacement or Repairs

Digging and replacing a sewer line costs $3,000 to $25,000, or $50 to $250 per foot. Trenching costs $4 to $12 per foot and may be a necessity for your project. Your plumber may include this cost as part of the estimate or recommend you hire another contractor for a more complicated excavation.

Though the repair may involve a replacement of a short length of pipe or the elimination of overgrown tree roots, the total can quickly rise due to excavation and related project costs. Sewer main lines run entirely underground, which can disrupt lawns, gardens, patios or driveways to fix it. The contractor often needs extra equipment such as jack hammers or a backhoe to access to the sewer main, plus additional hours in labor.

Trenchless Sewer Repair or Replacement Costs

Trenchless sewer line replacement ranges from $60 to $250 per foot. There are two ways to approach this project: CIPP (Cured-in-place-pipe) lining and pipe-bursting. Taking this route allows you to keep more of your property intact. It’s not an option for all repairs, but may be worth discussing with your pro.

Cured-in-Place Sewer Pipe Lining Cost Per Foot

CIPP lining costs $80 to $250 per foot, averaging about $9,000 for the project. The process creates a new, seamless pipeline inside the current one. The plumber pulls a liner saturated with epoxy through the existing pipes. It's a little smaller in diameter to fit through. CIPP only requires excavation to create one access point, which limits the damage to your property.

Trenchless Pipe Bursting or Splitting

The pipe-bursting method costs $60 to $200 per foot. Like CIPP, this method does not require total excavation and follows the exact alignment of existing pipes. A pneumatic or hydraulic head enters the sewer to break up existing brittle clay or iron piping. At the same time, a new, flexible line is drawn through the original space. Most of the landscaping is undisturbed.

Restoration, Cleanup and Related Projects

If your yard, garden or driveway needs to be dismantled to repair your sewer main, then a large part of your repair may involve replacing and rebuilding the parts of your home damaged in the process.

Project Cleanup

Water damage restoration costs range from $500 to $12,000 depending on the amount of damage and the size of the area.

Water and sewage flooding into the basement can cause a biological hazard for your family. Check with your homeowner's insurance policy for flood damage coverage. Undetected exposure to sewage gas and waste byproducts may cause unintentional hand-to-mouth ingestion of disease-causing organisms. Repeated inhalation of sewage gas often triggers respiratory system and eye irritation, nausea, dizziness. Extreme cases of methane exposure can be fatal.

Sewer Line Camera Inspections

The price of a sewer camera inspection runs $250 to $1,200. This provides a precise way to see the complete system. A pro can identify the amount of blockage within the pipes, tree root infiltration and broken pipes or joints. The camera can also pinpoint the location of these and other problems.

Landscape Replacement

The expense to install landscaping destroyed during excavation typically ranges from $1,400 to $5,700, depending on the extent of the damage. Sewer main projects often cause ground holes, bare spots, and widespread lawn compaction, which limits aeration of the soil. This is in addition to the ground displaced for the actual pipe removal. Replacing landscaping includes putting in additional topsoil, reseeding and flower beds or bushes.

Driveway or Sidewalk Repaving

Replacing a driveway costs between $2,400 and $6,500. If you are building a new home from the ground up, you may want to ask ahead of time where the sewer main is located. If it needs repair in the future, you could opt to relocate cement driveways or expensive landscaping to other areas.

Replacing Structures (Patio, Sheds, or Fencing)

The price to repair or replace patios and walkways or other structures on the property spans a wide range. It depends on the type of materials selected, labor cost factors, and the addition of any pathways, decks or fencing.

DIY vs. Hiring a Plumber

Sewer line repair and replacement is a task for a professional plumber. Although you can do it yourself, you risk creating clogs or other problems that can send sewage back into your home. Professional work provides a better guarantee. To schedule a consultation, hire a plumber near you.

FAQs

Do I need permits or approval to work on my sewer lines?

If you need to replace your sewer line, then you will most likely need to get a permit from your city. Although it increases the cost, this ensures that everything is up to code. There are only a few situations where the section that needs repair or replacement is actually on the city's property rather than your own, like in the street. In this case, the city would be responsible for the repair and not you. You should always check with the professional to see about the permits and whether they or you should obtain them.

How much does epoxy pipe lining cost?

Hiring a plumber to fix a small length of damaged pipe costs $45 to $200 per hour plus a nominal charge for the material. Plumber’s epoxy can line a pipe with minor cracks for an immediate repair of a small crack. Larger cracks often require replacement.

Do I replace or repair a sewer line leak?

In many instances, leaks require replacement for at least a part of the pipes. Most of the time, you need to decide between putting in a whole new line or a partial one.

Who can repair my backflow preventer?

Repairing or replacing a backflow preventer costs and is usually done by a professional plumber.

What is a sewer sleeve and what does it cover?

A sleeve is another term for CIPP trenchless sewer line replacement, which costs $80 to $250 per foot.