If you’re a homeowner in an older home, the probability you’ll need sewer line repair is high.

In this post, we break down the costs associated with sewer line repair in the US.

What Is the Cost of Sewer Line Repair?

The sewer line repair cost varies from $4,000 to $25,000.

On average, expect to pay $92 to $238 per foot as a sewer line replacement cost.

Traditional replacement methods average a cost of $7,500.

Trenchless methods range between $6,000 and $12,000.

The cost you’ll face will depend on your unique situation. To fully understand your potential cost, you should speak to a professional plumbing / sewer line contractor about your specific needs. Repairing a clogged pipe is cheaper than full line replacement.

Why the Large Range?

There are a lot of specifics that can impact the cost of your sewer line repair. The main difference comes down to the location and length of the repair needed. Replacing a sewer line from house to main will require more money than a smaller replacement or repair.

The cost of sewer line repair is also affected by whether you must acquire permits and other regulations. If the sewer line needing repair is under a paved road or public right of way, these costs need factoring. Work permits, excavation costs, and lawn repair contribute to the cost as well. 

Trenchless Sewer Repair

Trenchless sewer line repair doesn’t need large scale excavation of your property. Removing some of the costs for the work means that on the low-end, trenchless sewer line repair can save you money.

Techniques used in trenchless sewer line repair remove and replace the sewer line at the same time. This allows the sewer pipe repair to occur quicker with less damage to the yard.

Traditional Sewer Line Repair

Traditional sewer line repair is expensive because it features excavation and even wall removal to replace the whole pipe. To replace a pipe the traditional way, your yard will have to be dug up in a long trench.

The after cost of this type of repair can be higher, and it isn’t always possible. If you live in a city, local ordinances can make it extremely difficult and expensive to have traditional sewer line repair.

Another factor to consider is the effect on the pavement. Any pavement destroyed will cost you.

The Cause Can Affect the Price

While the prices discussed in this article have been substantial, remember that these are for sewer pipe replacement and repair. Other repairs don’t require as much work or time to accomplish. As a result, these problems are easier to solve for less money.

1. Clogged Pipes

When a pipe is clogged, you can often get it cleared by using an auger. Professional plumbers who use augers don’t cause any damage to the line itself. This type of repair will cost fractions of what a full sewer line replacement will cost.

Methods like hydro-jetting and snaking the line cost $1,000 or less on average. This type of repair is faster, with the only exception being if the clog is back towards the main sewer line or affects more than one pipe.

2. Tree Roots 

When tree roots invade your sewer line you can expect to pay for a full replacement. Tree roots can pinch pipes and can also invade them. When a pipe is pinched, it must be replaced to prevent wastewater from contaminating the ground.

Trees grow as they age, and their root systems get more expansive. Even if there aren’t any trees near your sewer line, you could still be affected by a root. When roots invade the line itself, the result is the same. The line must be replaced.

3. Age and Deterioration

One of the biggest causes of sewer line repair is the age of the pipe. PVC and older styles of pipes degrade as they age because of the stress they’re under. As the ground settles and shifts, it can cause pressure to be applied unevenly along the pipe.

Pipes that wear out can burst and release wastewater into the ground. This can lead to an expensive cleanup, so it’s essential to have this problem addressed immediately.

Sewer Line Repair Will Be Necessary

If you own your own home or property that has sewer lines, they will have to be repaired. Age and environmental issues will happen regardless of how careful you are with your sewer line.

Sometimes we flush things we shouldn’t, and this will lead to sewer line repair. If you have ever had a small child in your home, there is no telling what might get flushed down your toilet and into your sewer line.

Finding the Right Plumber

You can get charged more than you should be by an unscrupulous plumbing contractor. The key to getting a reasonable sewer line replacement cost is using a plumber you can trust. Experience in facing plumbing issues makes resolving these issues faster and more cost-effective.

Schuelke Plumbing has served the communities of San Bernadino and Riverside, California counties for 40 years. During this time, we have developed a reputation for excellent and friendly service that doesn’t overcharge and under-perform. You’ll always receive the best service and repair quality when you choose us.

Save money and have the job done right on your next sewer line repair by giving us a call. Contact us to have an experienced plumber give you a free estimate on your situation. If your sewer line repair is done incorrectly, it will end up costing you a lot more.

Get the job done right the first time by bringing us in to help you with your next sewer line repair.