When to Replace a Sewer Line

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Though the municipal sewer line that your house is connected to through a sewer lateral is maintained and repaired by the city, care for the sewer lateral ultimately falls to you. That’s why, as a homeowner, it’s important to understand when a simple sewer line repair will suffice, and when you should start considering a complete replacement of the sewer lateral.

If you’ve had recurring sewer line problems, including frequent stoppages and back-ups that are not solved by rodding or hydro-jetting, there’s a good chance that your local sewer repair specialist will recommend replacing the line. This advice is especially sound if you have any plans to sell your home in the foreseeable future, as failure to repair the problem is something you’ll have to disclose to any potential buyers and could very easily drop the value of the home or make it difficult to sell altogether.

If your sewer system is older and comprised of obsolete clay pipes, it’s especially prone to root intrusions and other problems. Cleaning out a clay pipe regularly may delay necessary replacement, but is by no means an absolute fix. To truly restore your sewer lateral to proper working order, replacement of sewer lines comprised of clay or other outdated materials is imperative.

New methods of sewer line replacement often don’t even require complete excavations, which can destroy existing landscaping and damage your lawn. Trenchless sewer replacement systems use a cable with a bursting head, which will split existing pipes and moving them aside to make room for the new pipe as it’s pulled through. This method only requires holes at each end of the line, rather than a full trench along the length of the pipe.

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Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement

August 2nd, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Replacing your sewer line is an expensive, messy job that usually entails digging a trench through your yard so that the new sewer lateral can be installed.  For many homeowners, the process can cause a significant disruption of their landscaping and in some cases can even mean digging up driveways, sidewalks, and even garages.  Before you start digging, talk to your sewer-septic contractor about your trenchless sewer line repair or replacement options.

New techniques have been developed for repair or replacement of sewer lines with a minimum of destructive digging.  Two popular techniques are pipe bursting and pipe lining.

With pipe bursting, a new pipe is installed by dragging it through the existing sewer pipe.  A pipe bursting head is installed on the leading edge of the new pipe and as it is dragged through the old pipe, the bursting head breaks up the old sewer line.  The pieces of the old sewer line are left in place around the new pipe.

A hole needs to be dug at each end of the sewer line, but the rest of your yard can usually be left undisturbed.  One exception is that a hole will need to be dug at any bends or turns in the sewer pipe.  Pipe bursting only works in a straight line so if you have any turns or bends in your sewer lateral, a separate pipe will need to be installed in each straight leg and a connection made at the bend.

Pipe lining is another option for repairing a sewer line without extensive digging.  A soft flexible tube coated with cement is pulled through the existing pipe and inflated so that it presses against and adheres to the walls of the old sewer pipe.  The tube hardens in place and creates a lining inside your existing sewer lateral.

Your plumber or sewer-septic contractor can help you decide which sewer line replacement option is best for you.

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Costs Involved in Converting From Septic to Sewer

January 9th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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If you are considering converting your existing septic system to sewer service, you should be aware of the costs involved before you take the plunge.  There can be some advantages to connecting your home to a municipal sewer system rather than a septic system, but there is usually a significant up front cost to making the conversion.  Costs vary widely depending on your area and the particular circumstances of your situation.

If there is a municipal sewer line that runs near your property, you have the option of connecting to the municipal sewer system or continuing to use your septic system.  Connecting to the sewer line involves having a sewer lateral installed by an experienced plumber or sewer-septic professional.  The sewer lateral is a large diameter pipe that runs from your house to the municipal sewer line.  The costs vary depending on the distance and difficulty of construction, but are typically between $2,500 and $5,000.

Once your home is connected to the sewer system, your old septic tank should be pumped out and filled with dirt or sand.  The lid is usually crushed and used as part of the fill for the tank.  The cost of abandoning the septic system is around $1,000.

Most municipalities will also charge a connection fee for the initial connection to the municipal sewer system and there will also be permit fees and inspection fees.  Connection fees vary widely depending on the municipality but expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000.

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