If your sewer line is broken and a sewer line repair won’t be enough, it’s time to get a replacement. Our technicians at Rocketman Plumbing are ready to take care of your broken sewer line at the first sign of trouble. We take pride in getting the job done right the first time so you and your family can get back to doing the things you love.

Call us at (505) 243-1227 for an inspection and estimate on the time and cost for your sewer line replacement today.

Signs Your Sewer Line Needs to Be Replaced

If your sewer line is damaged to the point that it needs replacement, it will be noticeable in your home and in your yard. The signs that your sewer line needs to be replaced include:

  • Water drains slowly in your home
    When the water in one drain empties slowly, it usually indicates a simple clog. But if the water in several drains in your home empties slowly, it’s a sign of a broken sewer line.
  • Sudden rodent or bug infestation
    Rats, cockroaches, and other bugs are attracted to the smell of sewage. If you notice that these pests are suddenly very interested in your home, it is likely because of a broken sewer line.
  • Pooling sewage in your yard
    One of the most obvious signs of a broken sewer line is raw sewage pooling up in your yard. These pools can be large or small, and they will have a strong and unpleasant smell.
  • Damage to your foundation or driveway
    When your sewer line is broken, the water softens the ground and displaces the soil. That can cause the foundation under your home to shift, leading to cracks and more costly damage. If the pipes are under your driveway, you might see cracks and shifting in the pavement there, as well.

If you notice any of these problems, don’t wait. The sooner we can get to your house and replace your sewer line, the less chance there will be costly damage to your property.

Causes of Sewer Line Damage

There are several common causes of damage to your sewer system. Our technicians at Rocketman Plumbing can detect the source of the damage and recommend the best replacement solution for your needs. Some of the common causes we see include:

  • Age of your pipes or tank
    When your pipes or septic tank get old, they will need to be replaced because, over time, your pipes will corrode and develop small cracks or holes. Sewage can leak out of these cracks and damage your lawn. If left unhandled, small cracks can turn into completely busted pipes.
  • Tree roots
    Tree roots can grow into your sewer line and septic tank. They can also grow around them, shifting their position underground and even bending the pipes. This can damage the pipes and tank and lead to a broken sewer line.
  • Temperature changes
    Extreme temperature changes from hot to cold can damage your metal pipes. The metal will expand in hot temperatures and contract in cold. If this happens fast enough, or too often, the pipes can develop cracks and eventually break.
  • Severely clogged pipes
    Unhandled clogs in your pipes or septic tank can lead to built-up pressure and backed-up sewage. This can lead to sewage backing up inside your home, as well as breaks and cracks in your pipes.

If you have any signs of sewer line damage at your home, call us right away for an inspection. Our technicians can find the cause of your sewer problem and get it handled for you.

Call Rocketman Plumbing for Your Residential Sewer Replacement

If you notice any of the problems listed above at your home, call us right away. Our emergency plumbers will come out to your property and inspect your sewer line for damage. We’ll be able to tell you if the problem can be handled with a simple repair or not and what the best solution will be for your home. And if your sewer line does need to be replaced, we can take care of it for you quickly and professionally.

Call us at (505) 243-1227 today for an inspection.

Sewer Replacement Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long should I expect my sewer line to last?

Wondering if your sewer line needs maintenance? Depending on its age and condition, it could need complete replacement. The wear and tear that comes from years of continuous use—or problems with the soil around the line itself—can cause sewer line damage that requires full replacement rather than repairs.

In general, homeowners can expect their sewer line to last a minimum of 60 years, but several factors can shift that figure higher or lower. The age of the home, accidents like improper items flushed down the toilet and even the environment can impact the lifespan of a sewer line. The most important consideration, though, is the sewer pipe material you have.

Older homes often have sewer line pipes made from hardened clay which has since been discontinued. These sewer lines often last between 50 and 60 years. Sewer lines made from cast iron pipes can last from 75 to 100 years, while lines made with durable PVC pipes can last 100 years or more.

If you own an older home, consider when the house was built and how well the sewer line system has been maintained. When in doubt, reach out to your trusted plumbers, like the team at Rocketman Plumbing, to determine the health of your sewer line and whether repairs or replacement is necessary.

A working sewer line is a critical component in every home, removing wastewater from the property and preserving the health and well-being of its occupants. While no homeowner enjoys the prospect of replacing their sewer line, sometimes it’s a necessary expense. If your sewer line is damaged beyond repair, you’ll notice problems in your home and yard. Some of the telltale signs that indicate your sewer line must be replaced include:

  1. Slow Drainage. Noticing the drains in your home working slower than usual? One slow drain often indicates a simple clog, while a broken sewer line is often the culprit when several drains work slowly.
  2. Pest Infestations. The smell of sewage attracts a variety of troublesome and even dangerous pests like cockroaches, rats and other nuisance pests. If you notice a sudden infestation in or around your home, it’s a good indication you need to invest in a new sewer line. Before calling the exterminator, call your local plumber.
  3. Pooling Sewage. If you spot—or smell—sewage in your yard, it’s an obvious sign of a broken sewer line. Whether the pools are large or small, call your trusted plumber immediately.
  4. Damage to Your Driveway or Foundation. A broken sewer line sends wastewater into the ground around your home, softening and displacing the soil. Left unchecked, this can cause the ground below your home to shift, leading to cracks in your driveway or foundation.

Don’t wait to contact the reliable plumbers at Rocketman Plumbing as soon as you spot any of the problems described above. By taking quick action to replace your sewer line, you can reduce the risk for more costly and hazardous damage to your property.

Any problem with a sewer line can be a plumbing nightmare that’s both tedious and expensive to fix. While homeowners are responsible for typical plumbing issues like a clogged sink drain or a leaky pipe that occurs to their residential plumbing, when do municipalities become responsible for sewer lines and plumbing repairs?

Problems with your sewer line can occur in portions that run from your house to the street and past your property line. If you’re dealing with a sewer backup, you’re likely on the hook for paying for the repairs. Even if pipes are clogged by roots that come from trees that aren’t on your property, you’re still liable for covering the cost of repairs.

In general, homeowners are responsible for both sewer laterals. This includes the upper laterals—those that run from your home to the property line—as well as the lower laterals that run from your property line to the public main sewer line below the street. Even lower lateral repairs that require digging into the street or sidewalk are the responsibility of homeowners.

Municipalities are responsible for problems with the sewer main, including blockages to the sanitary system. Any problems starting at the main underground pipe are covered by your municipality.

You’ve found the perfect house and are ready to buy, but before you do, you need to ensure your future home’s essential systems and appliances are up to par. Sewer lines are an afterthought for most homeowners until there’s a problem, but savvy home buyers know that a sewer line inspection is an essential part of the buying process. It’s one that can save you tons of hassle and money in the long run.

Most homeowners ignore the fact that sewer lines need routine maintenance. As you search for the perfect home, you need to know the exact condition of the sewer line—the time to discover a problem is during the inspection phase, not after you buy the home. The plumbing experts at Rocketman Plumbing use the latest camera equipment to scope the line, providing an up-close look at any issues that could be the seller’s responsibility to fix. Overall, a sewer line inspection has the potential to save you thousands of dollars, identifying costly problems you otherwise wouldn’t see.

Remember that sewer line problems aren’t exclusive to older homes. Sewer line issues can pop up in modern homes, too, often thanks to poor installation. Regardless of the age of the home you wish to buy, reach out to the team of plumbing experts at Rocketman Plumbing to inspect this essential system before you sign on the dotted line.

If your sewer line is damaged, there are several options moving forward. Your trusted plumbing technician will determine whether the line can be repaired or if replacement is necessary.

The average price to replace a sewer line is around $5,000. In general, residential sewer line replacement runs between $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the complexity of the project and whether there are major obstacles. You can expect to pay $50 to $200 per linear foot of sewer line, depending on the pipe material you choose and the difficulty of accessing the existing pipe.

Get Help Fast! Provide Your Information Below to Book a Rocketman Service Call Now.

Contact Us Form