When you have a leaky sewer line, you’ll want to get it fixed as soon as possible.
At this point the one question on your mind is: “should I repair or replace?”
Unfortunately, the more time you spend thinking about this question, the more time you’ll spend dealing with an expensive leaky sewer line.
When your sewer line is leaking or broken, the logical thing to do is repair it. However, if the problem is so bad that it can’t be fixed, then you need to replace it instead.
That being said, both repair and replacement options have advantages and disadvantages. To know when to repair and when to replace your sewer line, you’ll need to understand what each process entails.
Hence, the reason why you’re here.
In this article, we’ll explain when repairing a sewer line is the best option and when replacing it is a better choice.
But before getting into detailed explanations of when to repair vs replace your sewer line, let’s go over some general details that may be helpful for your home.
What is a Sewer Line and What Does it Do?
A sewer line is a large underground pipe that transports waste from your house to a local wastewater treatment plant. The sewer line consists of three main parts:
- The pipe: a 4-foot wide, usually clay pipe that transports waste to your local wastewater treatment plant.
- The manhole: a large, round access point in the ground for your pipes.
- The structure: the surrounding ground, foundation, and connections to other utilities.
Common Signs That Your Sewer Line Needs to be Repaired or Replaced ASAP
A sewer line may be in need of repair or replacement if it experiences any of the following issues:
- Blockage or clogs: if roots from nearby trees are growing into your pipes and blocking them, the sewer line may need to be cleaned or replaced.
- Sludge build-up: if the inside of your sewer line is filled with sewage and other waste, it will need to be cleaned or replaced.
- Uneven settling: if your sewer line is not installed properly, it may slowly sink into the ground causing damage to your property, i.e., leaning foundation.
- If a pipe break has occurred.
When to Repair Your Sewer Line
Repairing your sewer line is best done when a blockage, clog, or sludge build-up is the problem. You’ll want to hire a professional plumber to inspect and clean your lines on a regular basis.
Regular cleaning and inspection of your sewer line can help you catch and repair small issues before they become big problems. During this process, your plumber should be able to identify and remove roots or other debris that is blocking your line.
If your sewer line is only experiencing slight settling or uneven settling, repairs are possible. Depending on the depth, length, and nature of the issue, you may be able to install an extension or a new section of pipe.
Benefits of repairing your sewer line
If your sewer line is blocked or clogged, repairs can be completed in a few hours or days and the cost is low. Repairs can solve multiple issues at once and may prevent you from having to purchase a new sewer line.
When to Replace Your Sewer Line
If your sewer line has a significant bend or kink, replacement is likely your only option. Also, if your sewer line is too shallow, replacement is likely the best option.
If your line has a large break, replacement can be completed in a few days, but the cost will be significant.
Benefits of replacing your sewer line
Replace your sewer line if the break is significant, breaks are recurring, or if it’s too shallow. Also, if your sewer line is leaking, replacing it is the only option.
Replacing your sewer line is the only way to completely solve these problems.
Other Times You’ll Want to Repair Your Sewer Line
If flooding is an issue, you may want to repair your sewer line. If your sewer line is broken in one or two places, you may want to repair it.
Also, if you have a small amount of roots in your sewer line, you may want to repair it. If you have a hard time accessing your sewer line, you may want to repair it.
Finally, if your sewer line is pinching a neighboring line, you may want to repair it.
Bottom Line
If you suspect that your sewer line is damaged, take action immediately. While some repairs can be completed more quickly, others may take weeks or months.
If you suspect that your sewer line is damaged, take action immediately. If it’s only slight damage, you may be able to repair it.
However, if it’s significant damage, you will likely have to replace your sewer line. For a more thorough explanation of when to repair vs replace your sewer line, follow the guidelines outlined above.
Get Professional Help
All of that being said, the best thing to do when your sewer line is faulty is to hire a professional sewer line contractor. Whether your sewer line is slightly damaged or whether it has a significant amount of damage, a professional sewer line contractor can help.
They can help you assess the damage done to your sewer line to determine whether it’ll need a quick fix, full repair, or full replacement.
They can also help you handle the fix, repair or replacement. Repairing or replacing a sewer line isn’t something you assign to the regular handyman. It’s a delicate job that requires the precision of a seasoned professional.
That’s where M. Riddle Excavating comes in.
Need Help? Talk To Us!
If you need help assessing the damage on your sewer line, or perhaps you need help repairing it or replacing it completely, you can reach out to us.
M. Riddle Excavating is Ontario’s leading sewer line contractor. With decades of experience in the business, as well as a combo of seasoned professionals and state-of-the-art technology, you can rest assured that your sewer line is in the best hands.