In NYC it is common that a homeowner may become aware of a broken sewer line after experiencing sewage backing up in the basement, a foul odor or a sinkhole forming on the outside of the house. The homeowner’s natural inclination is to call a local plumber to assist in clearing the sewer line, never thinking that there is a more severe problem that is continuing to worsen. The plumber will identify a crack or a break in one section of the pipe; does this mean that you should be repairing your pipe? There are many factors that should be considered when trying to repairing or replacing a sewer line.
What material is the existing pipe made of?
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Broken clay pipe |
If the existing sewer line is made of clay, it is highly advised to replace the entire sewer line from the house to the city sewer. Old clay pipe becomes extremely brittle over time and is almost a guarantee that the remaining section of clay pipe will have to be repaired in the near future. It is also common that the surrounding soil is holding the clay pipe together, once the ground is excavated for a repair, it may end up disturbing the remaining sections of clay pipe.
If you currently have a cast iron sewer line it may make more sense to discuss the idea of repairing the pipe pending age, layout and future plans with the property. You should always consult with a licensed Sewer & Water Main specialist for a professional opinion.
What is the cost benefit of replacing vs. repairing?
Cast Iron sewer repair
Repairing a section of your sewer line will certainly cost less than replacing the entire sewer line however, the overall cost of replacing the remaining pipe at a later date will cost more than if you replaced the entire sewer line from the start. There are many factors that you have to factor in when you make the choice to replace the sewer line over different periods of time, as opposed to doing it all at once. You will have to pay for permits all over again, potentially excavating the same area twice and risking the rising cost to replace a sewer line.
Has your roadway been paved recently?
It is most cost effective to open the roadway for any type of installation after your street has fallen out of the DOT five year guarantee period. If you roadway has been paved within the previous five years it is considered a “protected roadway” which requires additional permits, restoration and hiring a soil compaction company, which all result in additional money to complete the job. Read more on protected roadways and soil compaction testing here.
Are you planning on selling the house?
If you are planning on selling the house in the near future it may make more sense to entertain the idea of a repair when comparing the overall cost. You should also be aware that the inspector or future owners may request a camera inspection on the sewer line before signing on the dotted line.
Additional factors to consider
When attempting to repair a section of the sewer pipe there may be an issue finding a good piece of the existing pipe to connect to. It is common that the existing sewer line is too fragile creating an issue where the pipe continues to break when attempting a repair. This would result in leaving no option but to replace the entire sewer line or a larger section than originally planned. A water main and sewer contractor may also encounter large utilities below ground level that force hand digging, this may result in additional days to complete the job.
