Sewer line repairs can be costly, so how do you figure out the process of replacing one? The average cost for a new sewer pipe can vary depending on the size of the pipe, and where it needs to be installed. This is a guide to understanding what it takes to replace a sewer pipe and the costs involved.
Why Sewer Pipes Are Essential
Sewer pipes are a critical part of the infrastructure of homes and neighborhoods. They transport wastewater from our homes to treatment facilities, where it is properly disposed of. Without sewer pipes, this wastewater would be left to pool in our yards and streets, leading to unsanitary conditions and possible health hazards.
If a sewer pipe breaks, an entire neighborhood can be affected. This is why it is important to diagnose the problem as soon as possible and have it repaired.
Symptoms of a Burst Sewer Pipe
It doesn’t always matter how much care you give your pipes in terms of preventive maintenance. You may eventually have a leak in your pipes, necessitating the repair of a damaged sewage pipe.
Before calculating how much a broken sewage pipe repair will cost, you must first determine if you have a broken pipe. The following are some signs of a damaged sewage pipe.
Is There a Broken Sewer Pipe in Your Yard?
If you’re experiencing the following symptoms outdoors, you may have a damaged sewage pipe:
- An infestation of insects or rodents
- Soggy lawn
- Sinkholes
- Throughout the grass, there are lush, green areas.
It’s critical to recognize the indicators of a possibly damaged sewage pipe so that the problem may be fixed as soon as feasible. Leaks may lead to high water bills and extensive property damage, as well as severe health issues like mildew.
If you’re having any of these issues, you most certainly have a damaged sewage line that has to be repaired right once. A broken sewage pipe requires professional assistance, and you may be asking how much a damaged sewer pipe costs.
Three Factors Affecting the Cost of Repairing a Broken Sewer Pipe
How much does it cost to fix a damaged sewage line after you’ve discovered a leak?
Replacement prices for a damaged sewage line now range from $50 to $150 per foot. In 2020, the average cost of repairing a ten-foot sewage line will likely be between $1,500 and $4,000. Sewer pipe repairs are completed quickly, which increases the cost but ensures that your home and family are kept as safe as possible.
However, there are a number of variables that impact the cost of repairing a damaged sewage line:
1. The Broken Sewer Pipe’s Size
The cost will be lower if the length of pipe that has to be replaced is less. If the damaged sewage line has to be replaced and is longer than 10 feet, it will cost more than $4,000. If you require a complete sewage line repair, expect to pay up to $30,000!
The cost is also affected by the location of the repair. Due to how much higher the plumbing is on the third floor of your home compared to the yard, the cost of labor will almost certainly rise.
2. The Piping Type
The cost of repairing a damaged sewage pipe is also determined by the piping materials utilized. PEX or copper are common materials used in conventional sewage lines. PEX is a pliable plastic with excellent heat retention qualities, allowing it to save energy.
Another creative and cost-effective alternative for rehabilitating deteriorating sewage lines is trenchless pipe lining. Trenchless pipe lining, rather than replacing the line, fixes the damaged sewage pipe from inside. The plumber injects epoxy resin into the pipe, which coats and cures any internal damage or fractures.
Because trenchless pipe lining does not need digging (thus the term “trenchless”), there are no extra expenditures associated with excavating on your land, as well as less manpower and lower labor costs.
Trenchless pipe lining may be more expensive up front than conventional pipe repair for simply the repair, but it is less expensive if the traditional approach also involves destroying ground-level fixtures. If there are utilities, lawn fixtures, and landscaping above the broken sewage pipe in the yard and lawn regions, the most costly aspects will not be uprooting and landscaping, as well as the grass damage caused by the repair.
While trenchless pipe bursting is one of the most common dig-free pipe upgrades for replacing a pipe, trenchless pipe lining for relining a broken pipe also costs between $60 and $200 per foot.
Traditional sewage pipe repair, on the other hand, might cost anything from $50 to $200 per foot. This price does not include any extra landscaping or labor charges associated with removing the pipes.
If you’re interested in trenchless pipe technology, whether you should use trenchless pipe bursting or lining depends on your scenario and elements like the location of the damaged sewage pipe.
Different types of piping will require different techniques of repair. For more, check out How to Connect Or Fix PVC Piping: 3 Helpful Tips.
3. Disconnecting Your Existing Pipes
If you pick a standard broken sewage pipe repair, you may need to remove your existing pipes as well. This might also include knocking through and removing drywall, which would raise your installation prices.
Depending on the size and location of the hole, repairing drywall after installation might cost anywhere from $275 to over $800.
Trenchless technique eliminates the need for pipe removal by repairing the sewage line from the inside. Because trenchless pipe lining utilises the existing line, the cost of pipe removal may be deducted from the total cost of damaged sewage pipe repair.
What About Insurance Coverage for Broken Sewer Pipes?
Whether you have homeowner’s insurance, you may be wondering if a damaged sewage line is covered.
The answer is that it is dependent on a number of things.
The reason of the broken sewage pipe will have a significant impact on whether or not you will be covered by broken sewer pipe insurance. If a pipe bursts owing to a lack of maintenance, your insurance will most likely not cover it. Earthquakes, unless you have specialized earthquake coverage, are likewise unlikely to be covered.
However, if your sewage pipes are broken due to an accident or vandalism, your homeowner’s insurance will most likely cover the expense of the broken sewer pipe repair. The level of expense coverage will, once again, be determined by the kind of insurance you have.
What Should You Do If Your Sewer Pipe Breaks?
If you have a damaged sewage line, you should repair it as quickly as possible to avoid further damage and health problems. To repair or replace your drains, you’ll need professional assistance, and a plumber may use closed-circuit television to locate your damaged line (CCTV).
Sewer and drain professionals specialize in trenchless sewer technology and have the tools necessary to diagnose your problem and get it fixed quickly. With trenchless technology, they can finish most of the job in a day, unlike traditional methods of broken sewer pipe repairs.
Remember, sewer line replacement is a very expensive process. It can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $40,000 or more. So, do your do dilligence before deciding on which repair process to take and whom to hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of a broken sewer pipe?
A: There are many signs of a broken sewer pipe. One would be the spills and splashes in your yard or basement. Another is when you notice that water has been leaking for days into a basement, kitchen, bathroom etc.
How serious is a cracked sewer pipe?
A: A cracked sewer is a serious problem, and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
What happens if a sewer pipe breaks?
A: If a sewer pipe breaks, it will cause flooding and be dangerous for humans to enter.
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