How do I test my main sewer line?

Author: Prof. Kip Glover DDS  |  Last update: Friday, October 10, 2025

Test Balls for Drainage Lines To start the process, make sure your main line sewer cleanout is clear of debris and liquid. Next, insert the test ball and inflate it so that it blocks the main line. Fill the sewer system with water and observe the water level for 15-20 minutes.

How can I tell if my main sewer line is clogged?

Watch Out for These Four Signs of a Clogged Sewer Line?
  1. All Your Drains Reek. It's not uncommon to have a single drain that emits a foul odor. ...
  2. Your Drains Are Blocked or Slow-Moving. ...
  3. You Hear Loud Gurgling Sounds Coming From Your Pipes Throughout Your Home. ...
  4. You Have an Unnaturally Lush Landscape or a Smelly, Sunken Lawn.

How do you test a sewer line?

Hydrostatic Tests are highly recommended when you suspect or know of problems with the sewer lines. Hydrostatic Tests determine if there is a leak under a house or building in the sewer line system. If the system leaks, an Isolation test is performed to 'isolate' where the leaks are located.

How do I know if my sewer line needs to be replaced?

7 Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Needs to Be Replaced
  1. There's a Spike in Your Water Bill. ...
  2. You Hear Gurgling Coming from the Pipes. ...
  3. The Water Is Slowly Draining. ...
  4. Your Yard is Soggy. ...
  5. The Smell of Sewage Lingers. ...
  6. Pests Are Attracted to Your Yard. ...
  7. The Toilet Bowl Water Level Is Up and Down.

How can I find out how deep my sewer line is?

Your sanitation district will be able to tell you the approximate depth by going off the plats of how that sewer system was laid out, along with all the laterals, manholes, turns of direction. Everything in Plumbing can be repaired or replaced.

Water & Sewer Static Testing Facts

How deep are most sewer lines buried?

Residential sewer line pipe depths range from as shallow as 18 to 30 inches in depth or 5 to 6 feet deep. However, in colder climates where freezes occur, you often see sewer line depths ranging from 4 to 8 feet deep. This ensures the pipes are below the freeze line.

How to locate main sewer line in yard?

Your home's sewer cleanout is a crucial part of your plumbing system. You'll usually find it outside, about 1 to 3 feet from where your house meets the ground. Look for a pipe sticking up with a cap on top that might have a square knob or notch for turning.

How much does it cost to replace a sewer line in a house?

Cost Estimates

As we mentioned earlier, in the state of California, the cost of sewer line replacement can amount to anywhere between $50-$250 per linear foot, with an average of around $150.

What is the life expectancy of a sewer line?

Generally speaking, you're going to find that most main sewer lines will only last somewhere between 50 and 100 years before you need to do a main sewer line replacement. You could very well have a broken sewer line on your hands right now and not even realize it.

Do plumbers check sewer lines?

Professional plumbers can use various camera styles to inspect the sewer line, such as: Remote-controlled crawler cameras. Pole or fixed zoom cameras. Push rod cameras.

What is the ball test for sewer line?

1 Sewer mains shall be tested for obstructions using a ball test. The sewer main shall be deemed unobstructed if a wood or metal ball having a diameter of 50 mm less than the inside diameter of the pipe can be readily pulled through the sewer main.

How does a sewer line inspection work?

Using Cameras to Inspect

By using small cameras connected to a sewer line, sewer inspection companies can quickly and effectively identify issues without the need for digging up large chunks of land. This not only helps to reduce time and effort, but also decreases production costs for sewer repair services.

How do you know if your sewer line has collapsed?

Signs of a Collapsed Sewer Line
  • Toilet Backup. ...
  • Gurgling Sounds. ...
  • Universally Malfunctioning or Slow Drains. ...
  • Standing Water. ...
  • Foul Odors. ...
  • Tree Root Infiltration. ...
  • Sinkholes in Your Yard. ...
  • Mold and Mildew Growth.

How much does it cost to unclog a main sewer line?

You will likely pay around $350 to $650 to have a plumber unclog a main sewer line unless you have complications like serious damage to the line.

How do I know if my underground drain is clogged?

If you notice water gushing back out from the drain pipe or leaking out from the seams on the adapter, that is a sign that there are clogs in your underground drain.

Is a clogged sewer line covered by insurance?

Homeowners insurance may cover sewer line damage if it stems from something already included in your policy, like a fire or windstorm. Sewer line damage that is the result of wear and tear is excluded from home insurance coverage.

How do I know if I need a new sewer line?

The Top 10 Most Common Signs of Broken Sewer Lines
  • Sewer Smell. Usually, one of the first signs of a sewer line is a bad odor. ...
  • Gurgling Toilet. ...
  • Pests in Your Home. ...
  • Slow Drains. ...
  • Sewage Backup in Your Toilet or Tub. ...
  • Mold or Mildew On Your Ceilings or Walls. ...
  • Cracks in Your Walls. ...
  • Unusually Green Patches on Your Lawn.

How long does it take to fix a main sewer line?

Sewer repair times vary, but patching a minor crack or clearing a clog may only take a few hours. Trenchless sewer line replacement can take around two business days, while traditional replacement can take three or more.

How to tell if cast iron pipe is bad?

7 Signs You Should Replace Cast Iron Pipes | Plumber in Sugar...
  1. Leak in the Pipes. Leaks are common in American homes, but they should not worry you if they happen once or twice in a long time. ...
  2. Strange Water Color. ...
  3. Foul Odor. ...
  4. Growth of Mold. ...
  5. Sewage Backups. ...
  6. Sudden Green Patches. ...
  7. Damaged Structural Foundations.

Can you replace main sewer line yourself?

As we mentioned above, it's certainly possible for a homeowner to perform sewer line replacement or sewer line repair. However, it's definitely not an easy job. When you replace the sewer line yourself you run the risk of causing even more damage.

Is Roto Rooter more expensive than other plumbers?

Roto-Rooter is a national service available in every U.S. state, including Alaska and Hawaii. Flat-rate pricing might be slightly higher in states with a higher cost of living, such as California or New York, but most plumbers charge between $45 and $200 per hour.

How deep are sewer lines?

For instance, residential sewer line depth ranges from 18 to 30 inches. However, city sewer line depths are different. Your city's sewer lines must always be deeper than the deepest residential pipe to allow waste to flow downhill. As such, these lines can go as deep as needed.

How do you check your sewer line?

The most optimal way to inspect the inside of your sewer line (other than digging it up and cracking it open) is to contact your local plumbing company for a sewer line video camera inspection.

What does the main sewer line look like?

You may spot a 3 to 4-inch diameter pipe peeking out of the slab floor of the basement. The sewer drain pipe could be made of plastic or cast iron; it might be copper or brass in rare cases. The stub-out will have a screw-in plug coupled with a square-head lug on it, representing your access to the main drain.

How to unclog main sewer line?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Step 1: Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Step 2: Open the cap and let the buildup drain out. ...
  3. Step 3: Feed the auger cable into the drain pipe. ...
  4. Step 4: Run the auger until the clog is clear—and beyond. ...
  5. Step 5: Hose down the pipe and auger cable.

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