Sewer Line Replacement Options And Average Cost
Let’s be clear, there are certain plumbing tasks that you can take care of yourself – but others should be completed by a certified, professional plumber. A trenchless drain replacement is one of those that you should not try to complete yourself.
Why You Might Want Trenchless Drain Replacement
There are several reasons why trenchless drain replacement might be an option, especially if drain clearing efforts do not produce the desired results. A few of the reasons include:
- An excessive amount of roots in the line;
- Leaking joints with broken seals between sections of pipe;
- A sunk pipe because of soil conditions or ground conditions;
- Corrosion of an older pipe that causes the pipe to collapse or break;
- A foreign object restricting flow or severe grease buildup;
- A collapsed, cracked, or broken pipe because of settling, frozen ground, or shifting soil.
Your Options
Once you determine that you need to replace your sewer line, you have two basic options:
- Traditional Sewer Line Repair
You dig up the area that surrounds the pipe and gain access to the problem area. You refill the area once the repairs are complete. Depending on the condition of your pipe, this could take quite a while.
- Trenchless Drain Replacement
You make small insertions where the damaged pipe begins and where it ends, and pull a new pipe through the old pipe. This new pipe bursts the old pipe and lays down a new pipe at the same time. When compared to traditional repair methods, this causes far less damage to your surrounding area.
What are the Telltale Signs of a Broken Sewer Pipe?
If you see any of the following telltale signs in your residence, you might have a broken sewer pipe. Call us as soon as possible so that the problem doesn’t worsen. We’ll assess the situation and inform you of the broken sewer line cost if the sewer line is damaged beyond repair.
Smelly or Flooded Yard
Your sewer line might be broken if your yard has a foul smell, is flooded, or both. A burst sewer pipe can create pooling on your lawn that emits a sewage smell that’s hard to miss or ignore. A plumbing company will advise whether repairing or replacing it is the best option and the cost to fix the sewer pipe or replace it.
Drainage Problems
If your home’s plumbing system has several draining issues, the cause might be a clog in your main sewer line. One sign this could be the case is if your toilet makes gurgling sounds when it’s flushed.
Water Damage in the Residence
The formation and spread of mold in your basement or on the walls or floor could be a sign of a pipe bursting or pipe leaking situation in your residence. That’s when you might ask, “How much to replace the sewer pipe in the basement?” Contact Dr. Pipe for answers you can use to make decisions. We offer plumbing service but will ensure you know all your options before proceeding.
Causes of Sewer Line Problems
The need for sewer line replacement often comes as a surprise to Ottawa homeowners. For one thing, the sewer line is underground, so it goes unseen and unnoticed until there’s a problem. Blockages and damage can occur underground and lead to wear and tear on the sewer line.
Here’s a look at the primary reasons that sewer line replacement in Ottawa is needed:
- Age of Sewer Line: Over time, wear and tear will have a negative impact on your drainage system. If you live in a home that is 50+ years old, take preventative and proactive measures by getting a licensed plumber to conduct a pipe inspection.
- What You Put Into The Sewer Line: Food, great, and other things that go into the sewer pipes can create blockages. It’s best to avoid putting anything other than water into the drain.
- Trees on Your Property: The root systems of trees on your property can damage your sewer drains.
- The Climate: Temperature fluctuations will cause your sewer pipes to contract and expand, and this can lead to ruptured or burst pipes. You’ll then need to look into sewer line replacement costs.
Do you need to know about sewer line replacement costs in Ottawa? At Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing, our licensed plumbers will identify any issues that might indicate sewer pipe damage to prevent issues or fix existing deterioration.
Tips to Protect Your Sewer Lines
Since your sewer system won’t last forever, at some point you’ll need to explore things like the basement sewer line replacement cost and the sewer line from house to street cost. While a sewer line will require work at some point, here are some things you can do to extend its longevity:
Sewer line checkups: You can book a service call for a relatively small fee so we can come to your home and check your sewer line system. If there are issues, we’ll nip them in the bud so they don’t worsen and cost you more.
Tree removal: If there are trees too close to your sewer line, it’s vital to be proactive and remove them. Otherwise, the tree roots could cause severe damage to your sewer line. We can recommend which trees to remove.
Proper sewer system use: The only things you should flush down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Things like baby wipes, kitchen grease, or hygiene products should be properly disposed of in the trash, not the toilet.
Pros and Cons of Sewer Line Repair
Pros
- Improve the system: Installing new pipes can slash the risk of clogging and enhance drainage.
- Decrease upkeep: Newly substituted sewer lines necessitate less effort compared to aged sewer lines.
- Increase home valuation: An updated and properly maintained sewer system will appeal to prospective homebuyers.
Cons
- High expense: Replacing your sewer line system can be a costly home improvement project.
- Lengthy Process: A significant sewer line replacement task may require multiple days.
- Unforeseen issues: Once excavation starts, licensed plumbers might uncover other problems that need to be addressed. So, unforeseen issues can boost the cost of the sewer line project.
Sewer Line Replacement Cost
When we compare the traditional approach and trenchless drain replacment, the trenchless methods are usually much faster. Pipe bursting is a great method to get rid of the old pipe and install the new pipe. An average household sewer line should expect to pay around $3,500-$20,000, which comes down to around $60-$200 per foot.
Oftentimes Ottawa homeowners forget about the video camera inspection costs. It is quite normal for a company to look at the pipes with a video camera beforehand. Depending on the total length of the pipes and local rates, consider an average price of $250-$550 for an inspection. Not to worry though, if the company does replace the sewer line, they will often deduct that amount from the final bill.
Cost to Replace Sewer Line From House to Street
The length of the sewer line required is the most crucial aspect in sewer line replacement cost estimate. In residential buildings, the sewer pipe is often positioned where the home’s main sewer exits the foundation of the building. The line then descends in elevation until it reaches a connection known as a tap, which connects it to the municipal branch or main.
You can then compute the projected price of sewer line replacement from home to street based on the average cost of sewer line replacement utilizing trenchless technologies, which is $60-$200 per foot. The technology used may also affect the amount you spend to replace the sewer line.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Sewer Line Replacement or Repair
- Line Length
The length of your line impacts the expense because of material amounts, labour charges, and how much time is required. So, what you can expect to pay will depend on, among other things, the length of the line. The cost of replacing sewer line from house to street will be more than replacing a shorter section.
- Obstacles
If your property has fences, concrete slabs, trees, and structures, any sewer line project will cost more. A licensed plumber can inform you of average costs.
- The Extent of Issues
A small, localized repair can be handled at a lower cost and in a shorter amount of time, while more extensive damage could cost much more and take multiple days.
- Cleaning and Restoration
A severe sewer leak could trigger health hazards on your property. That’s especially true if there’s a backup due to clogged drains. It might be necessary to hire a professional to perform cleaning and do other things, which will increase the total expense.
How to Get the Best Price for Sewer Line Replacement
If you need sewer line replacement in Ottawa, it is always a bad time. We understand that you do not have to worry about added expenses that come with the overall Ottawa sewer line replacement cost. However, when it is time to replace your sewer line, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you get the best price.
Always Ask For An Estimate
If you are looking at a contractor to get the work done, do not merely ask for an estimate in writing- make sure that you get a detailed bid that describes all the works that will be done and the materials that they are going to use.
Who is going to obtain (and pay for) the necessary building permits and what is the expected start and finish date of the project? You want to make sure that you get the best possible price and are not running into any type of surprise.
Make Sure That You Call The Pros
If you want to try and keep costs down as much as possible, we highly recommend that you consider trenchless sewer repair in Ottawa. This is a relatively new method that is guaranteed to move the process along much faster provides better overall results that are going to last you much longer.
The initial investment is therefore offset by the benefits that you are going to receive from this. If you want to make sure that you receive a clear and fair estimate, make sure that you call us, the professionals in sewer line replacement, at Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services first. That way, you can be sure that you are getting the best price and service in your area.
Sewer Line Replacement and Sewer Line Repair Options
Even if you experience the symptoms above, you might still wonder, “How do I know if my sewer line needs to be replaced?” That’s a natural question. The first order of business is to call a plumbing company. If it’s determined that your sewer pipe is broken, the licensed plumber will see if it can be repaired or if it should be replaced. If it’s the former, there are usually two primary methods to perform the fix — pipe lining and pipe bursting. Following a camera inspection, a professional plumber will consult with you and discuss these two fixing methods.
Pipe lining method
The good news is that pipe lining is cheaper than replacing a sewer line — especially in older homes. If we find minimally damaged pipes, we recommend pipe lining. It’s a pipe repairing technique that requires inserting an epoxy-covered inflatable tube inside the sewer line. After insertion, the epoxy solidifies and covers the leak. You can contact us for the repair cost.
Pipe bursting method
If the sewer line is excessively damaged such that pipe lining won’t work, we might recommend the trenchless method. It’s a process where we put a special drill bit into the old sewer line. The special drill bit demolishes the old line and replaces it with a new one as it travels through the line. It’s a more time- and energy-intensive technique, so it costs more than pipe lining.
Keep in mind that it might be necessary to dig a trench and perform substantial excavation if the sewer system is severely damaged.
FAQs
How Much Does Main Sewer Line Repair or Replacement Cost in Ottawa?
Various things influence the cost of sewer replacement. If you want the most cost-effective method, that would be a trenchless repair since it requires minimal digging. It’s essential to know that most of the expenses connected to sewer line replacement aren’t the materials or the equipment needed. Rather, it’s the damage from extensive excavation that requires costly landscaping. Your homeowner insurance policy may not cover the landscaping costs, so you should ask your insurer.
How long will sewer lines last?
Barring unforeseen circumstances such as tree root obstruction, a clay sewer line could survive as many as 60 years, while a cast iron or ABC/PVC line could provide as many as 100 years of service.
Should I replace my cast iron sewer line with PVC?
If your cast iron pipes are disintegrating, you should swap them out for PVC. Cast iron repairs are more costly.
Can you get ill from a broken sewer line?
Broken sewer pipes can create risks to human health. It can release toxic fumes that can be injurious to the health of anyone on your property.
Does homeowner insurance cover sewer line replacement or repairs?
Home insurance probably won’t cover the cost of replacing or repairing a broken sewer line. One exception is if the sewer line is damaged through human error — like if your neighbor’s home construction project damages your sewer line.
Why does my bathroom smell like sewer?
This can occur if the shower’s P-trap has emptied of water or it might indicate a clogged drain.
Why does my toilet give off a sewage odor when I flush?
If your sewer line is obstructed, flushing the toilet will permit the fumes to enter your residence.
Why does my residence smell like a sewer sometimes?
If there are blocked drains, empty P-traps, or a clogged sewer, your home might smell like sewer at times.
You Can Rely on Our Emergency Service
Dr. Pipe offers 24/7 emergency services you can rely on. If you have any issues with your drains or plumbing system, get in touch. Whether you need general maintenance, an inspection with a sewer camera, pipe cleaning via hydro jetting, or sewer line repair courtesy of cured in place pipe lining, we can help.
Ottawa plumbers often charge different rates for plumbing system services. Emergency service on a sewer line will cost more than putting in a hot water tank.
Remember that emergency service is costlier than regular maintenance, but Dr. Pipe is proud of our reliability and affordability. Let us know how we can help.
If you’re having trouble and want help from a reputable and licensed plumber, call us at Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services. We’ll book a service call to assess your problem and then decide whether a repair or a replacement is the best option. Give us a call when you need help from the professionals.
Dr. Pipe’s Esteemed Customers Have Spoken Up
When you need a plumber, check for customer feedback to see which service providers are worth calling. Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing in Ottawa has established a five-star rating from satisfied customers. Check out our 5.0 customer rating on Google Maps.
Dr. Pipe Serves Customers in and Around Ottawa
Homeowners and business owners in Ottawa and surrounding regions trust Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing for exceptional plumbing services. If you’re wondering, “How do I know if my sewer line needs to be replaced or repaired?”, we’re here to help.
Our service area includes Nepean, Barrhaven, Carlington, Gloucester, Kanata, Old Ottawa South, Emburn, Orleans, and Vanier.
Call Dr. Pipe to Solve Your Plumbing Problems!
Fully licensed and insured, Dr. Pipe has years of experience serving clients across Ottawa and neighbourhoods, earning a reputation for excellence. Our skilled and certified professionals ensure the job is done right the first time, giving you peace of mind every step of the way!
