Sewer repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What sewer repair is

Sewer repair repairs or replaces the main sewer line between your house and the street or septic, by digging or by trenchless methods. It is one of the larger plumbing repairs in a home, and the choice between digging and trenchless depends on the line's condition, depth, and what is above it.

Signs you need it

  • Sewage backs up into the lowest drain of the house, or several fixtures back up at the same time
  • A camera inspection shows roots in the line, cracks, a collapsed section, or a belly where waste pools
  • A soggy, sunken or unusually green patch in the yard follows the line between the house and the street
  • A sewer smell outside or in the basement, or repeated clogs that come back soon after clearing
  • The line is clay, cast iron or an older material that is failing in several places

What the pro does

  • Confirm the failure with a camera inspection, and mark its location, depth and the length of the failed section
  • Call for a utility locate before any digging, so buried lines and cables are marked before the trench is opened
  • Choose the method: open trench to replace the failed section, or a trenchless method such as pipe bursting or cured-in-place lining
  • Excavate or access the line, remove the damaged section, and install the new pipe with the correct slope and bedding
  • Connect the new line to the house drain and the street or septic connection, with the correct fittings and cleanout
  • Test the line with a camera and water before backfilling or restoring the surface

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Depth and length of the failed section, and how far the damage runs
  • Trenchless or open trench: each method has its own equipment, access and restoration needs
  • What is above the line, such as a driveway, sidewalk, patio, tree roots or landscaping
  • Pipe material and diameter, and whether a new cleanout is added at the house
  • Utility locates, permits and inspections needed for the work
  • Site access for equipment and whether the yard must be restored to a set finish

What a written quote should spell out

  • Camera findings and the location and depth of each failure
  • Repair method, open trench or trenchless, and why it was chosen
  • Length of new pipe, its material, and the slope and bedding
  • Connections at the house and the street or septic, with the fittings used
  • Surface restoration, such as concrete, asphalt, sod or landscaping, and who restores it
  • Permit, locate and inspection responsibility, and the warranty on the new line

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Where exactly is the damage, and can I see the camera footage?
  • Why is trenchless better or worse than an open trench for my line?
  • What happens to the driveway, the patio or the landscaping during the work?
  • Do you handle the utility locate and the permit, and who calls for the inspection?
  • Will you camera-test the new line before the trench is closed?
  • What warranty do you give on the new line, and what does it cover?

Red flags

  • Pro who recommends a full line replacement without a camera inspection and the footage
  • Pro who digs before the utility locate is done
  • Pro who backfills the trench before the new line is camera-tested
  • Pro who will not give a written scope with the method, the length and the restoration

What you can do yourself

A homeowner should not dig, cut, or repair a sewer line. Sewer lines can hold sewage and gas, buried utilities can be struck, and open trenches can collapse. Call a pro, and use the camera inspection and the footage to choose the repair method.

Licenses and permits

Sewer repair is commonly done by licensed plumbers or licensed sewer specialists, and it often requires a permit and inspection. Check with your state or local licensing agency and the local building department before the work starts.

Sewer repair questions

How do I know if I need trenchless or open trench?

The camera footage, the depth of the line, and what is above it decide the method. A trenchless method suits many lines but not all, and the pro should explain why one method fits your line.

Will my insurance cover a sewer line repair?

It depends on the policy and the cause, such as roots, age or a sudden break. Ask your insurer, and ask the pro for the camera footage and a written description of the cause.

How long does a sewer line repair last?

A new line of the right material and slope can last for a long time, but roots and poor bedding can cause new failures. The pro should explain how the new line is protected and what maintenance helps.

Do I need to be home during the repair?

You need access to the work area and the house drain, and you should expect the sewer line to be out of use for part of the day.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More plumbing guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request sewer repair