Stagnant wastewater in your yard, basement, or crawl spaces is a clear indication that the sewer line needs instant repair. It is crucial that you take care of it as soon as possible to rule out possibilities of wall damage and filthy smell. Plus the health hazards that tag along with raw sewage, can create serious trouble.
With that said, the first thing that comes into your mind when talking about the sewer line fixtures is: how much will it cost?
It doesn’t matter if you are a homeowner or a corporate firm; the budget is always the biggest concern. However, you can rest assured that there is no need to drain tens of thousands of dollars on repairing the sewer lines. Nowadays, there are a couple of new methods we can use for the repairs. They are more technical and need low capital input.
Traditional methods, on the other hand, are comparatively expensive. It involves digging and remedial landscaping, which is a highly tedious method. The hard labor, displacement of Earth, and hours spent in pipe restoration can raise the costs. So before you hire a plumbing company, compare traditional sewer replacement methods against the latest.
To put things in perspective, here is a rundown of the costs required to dig up and replace sewer lines:
Digging Costs
Even if a tiny part of the pipe needs replacement, the total expenditure can rise due to excavation costs. The lines are mainly underground, so there is always a need to dig the lawns, driveways, and patios. All of this asks for extra equipment like backhoe and jackhammers.
Hence, the method can cost $50-$250 or more per foot. It depends on the length and depth of the existing pipes.
Damage and Tool Costs
On average, the costs start somewhere between $7,500 to $12,000. But there are some other costs associated with the procedure. For instance, open trenching can damage the landscape, which may be irreversible. It will then require redesigning and restructuring of the entire ground surface.
In some complex situations, trenching needs special equipment. This may be due to city requirements or other safety measures. Whatever the reasons are, this is an automatic trigger to cost elevation. The labor needed for such procedures will also increase. Besides this, acquiring permits from authorities could also add up to the total costs.
Small-scale Pipe Lining
Pipes that are below 50 feet in length may break off sometimes. Using trenchless sewer line repair methods can make things quite easy in such situations. But the costs could be exceptionally high. Whereas, lining up the small pipe areas can typically take $3,000-$4,000 using traditional methods.
Complete Line Replacement
In case, there is a crack or the line is rotten, you can go for individual sections replacement. This is going to cost $50 each foot and double or even triple of that amount according to the ease of access. Typically, the plumbing experts recommend replacing the entire pipe and not only some segments. This is because the likelihood of the whole pipe rotting off is pretty high.
Expect to pay $3000 to $12000 for the whole new sewer line. According to some experts, replacing an average sewer line from residence to where it connects to the public sewer system costs $3,000-$6,000. It is the complexity of the project that adds more money to the process.
Readers at CostHelpers, for example, reported paying $4,500-$13,000, or $50-$100 per foot. These charges were for 50 to 100 of sewer line, at an average cost of $7,493 or $106 per foot.
Other Factors that Increase Replacement Costs
· Type of the pipes – Is it vitrified clay or PVC?
· The diameter of the pipe – Is it 4”, 6”, or 8”?
· Accessories and fittings – Connection at each foot costs typically $52 to $107 on one linear foot
· Short and long pipe run – Are there multiple connection points?
· Residential or Street work – Street work involves traffic path and pavement digging
Even after the replacement of the pipes, there are certain charges that you need to take care of. Such as, cleaning up of the mess and rebuilding the former infrastructure in that position.
Closing Thoughts
You must refer to an insured and established repair contractor to provide you the viable options. They will assess the length of pipe that needs repair and the costs that you should pay. Ask them about trenchless sewer repair costs, as well.
An honest service provider will let you know the pros and cons of both methods. Having a clear insight into the whole procedure, you can then go ahead with the one that’s feasible, convenient, and lasts long.
Do you feel that we probably missed out a critical cost element? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below!
