What Every Homeowner Should Know About Sewer Line Repairs

Normal wear and tear and gradual deterioration are common causes of broken sewer pipes, but damages from these causes are not typically covered by homeowners insurance. Homeowner policies won’t cover a sewer pipe that breaks because it’s old and has been deteriorating over time. However, if the pipe breaks in a sudden and accidental way, some policies might cover it—like if a pipe freezes and breaks. So, if you're a homeowner, seriously consider taking a good look at your homeowner's insurance. You might also want to think about adding an endorsement that covers sewer line problems.

A homeowner can replace a sewer line, but it demands a strong understanding of local building codes, necessary permits, and applicable safety rules—who would've thought? Replacing a sewer line is an undertaking that usually involves a fair bit of digging and knowledge of plumbing that goes well beyond the average do-it-yourselfer. It is almost always advisable to bring in a pro to do this work, however, because shoddy line replacement can lead to all sorts of regulatory trouble and even potential damage to your home.

Most homeowners pay for the upkeep of the sewer line from their home to the main sewer line at the street or property line. If there's a problem with the sewer line in this section, the homeowner must fix it. On the other hand, if the problem is in the main sewer line or beyond the property line, the local municipality or utility company usually handles the repairs. But it's important to check local regulations and property agreements because the responsibility can vary by location.

Sewer line repairs on private property are typically not the responsibility of local governments. Homeowners almost always must undertake the maintenance and repairs needed on the sewer lines that run from their houses to the main sewer line. These lines, often called "lateral" sewer lines, are not in any sense "government property." And while it's common for the local government to maintain and repair the public sewer main lines that are usually located under the streets or in public right-of-ways, homeowners should understand that these systems are separate. The specific rules in your area may vary, so it's best to clear this up with your local municipality or utility company.

Sewer line insurance can vary widely in cost depending on a number of factors. These include the location of your home, the particular insurance provider, and the type of coverage you want. On the whole, you're looking at an average outlay of between $5 and $10 per month, which works out to a yearly total in the range of $60 to $120. However, the variance among providers makes this a space worth shopping around in. The services rendered and the types of plans offered differ quite a bit. And in this case, you definitely want to get the plan that's right for you.

How long a sewer line lasts depends on so many things that it can seem very variable. The factors that most obviously affect the lifespan and that you might think about are the materials used, the quality of the installation, and some environmental factors. In general, though, here's what you can expect in terms of lifespans for different types of sewer lines: clay pipes, 50-60 years; cast iron, 75-100 years; PVC, over 100 years. Of course, other external things like ground conditions and tree roots can also affect the lifespan of a sewer line, making it necessary to think about these factors if you want to have a maintenance plan.

Replacing a sewer line costs a lot for several reasons. First, the materials, like high-quality pipe, can be quite expensive. Then there's the labor: the process requires digging—often using very specialized equipment—and that means even more cost. If the sewer line is under driveways, roads, or other structures, it may necessitate removing and replacing those too—and if it's under anything more than a few inches of dirt, you can bet the cost is going to be higher just because of that added depth. Finally, there are also the hit-or-miss factors of local regulations and how much trouble you might have just getting permission to do the darn thing.

Insurance for homeowners usually does not extend to damage to underground pipes like sewer lines unless a covered peril such as fire or vandalism caused the damage. Most plumbing problems resulting in damage to a home's foundation or the home's yard are the homeowner's responsibility to fix and pay for because standard insurance policies do not cover the kinds of plumbing problems that usually occur. If you are concerned that an underground pipe might be damaged, your first step should be to contact your insurance provider to see what kinds of coverage, if any, would apply to your situation. Then, you can assess the feasibility of having a plumbing problem fixed without affecting your finances too much.

Consider the following strategies to prevent roots from invading the sewer lines: 1. Use a commercially available chemical root killer to create a barrier. These products, which contain copper sulfate or other herbicidal compounds, can be safely flushed down a toilet in sufficient quantity to kill roots and inhibit their regrowth. They won’t harm your tree, and the root killer will prevent roots from entering your sewer line. 2. Professional inspections and maintenance should be on a regular schedule. Plumbers can inspect pipes using cameras and can remove any roots that are beginning to invade the lines before they do serious damage. 3. Position trees and shrubs away from sewage lines. Examine the layout of your property and where the underground lines are located. Then, when choosing the plant's location, think it through very carefully. Select the slowest-growing variety that you can find, and make sure it is fairly drought-resistant and that its root system is not likely to become aggressive. 4. When landscaping, direct roots away from sewer lines with barriers. There are two basic kinds of root barriers: physical barriers and root-resistant fabrics. Physical barriers are made of solid materials like metal or wood. These barriers keep roots from going where you don’t want them to go. Root-resistant fabrics do the same thing but with a lot less hassle and weight. You can lessen the chances of root intrusion and keep your sewer lines intact by enacting these precautionary measures.

Several factors can cause the price of replacing a 20-foot sewer line to differ significantly. These include: location, depth of the line, type of pipe material, accessibility. On average, though, a homeowner can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. This estimate, of course, includes much more than just the price of the pipe. It factors in the cost of doing the work underground, which involves equipment and several people; the cost of getting the old line out and the new line in; and the cost of making everything look nice again, whether that means replanting the bushes, putting the sod back, or, as in this picture, repaving.