How do you know if your main sewer line is broken and how do you fix it?

Author: Rashawn Bogan  |  Last update: Saturday, June 28, 2025

How to identify if you have a broken sewer pipe
  1. Soggy or sunken ground above where your sewer pipe is buried.
  2. Sudden low water pressure.
  3. Persistent clogging in your drains and slow drainage.
  4. Mouldy areas on the walls, floors, and ceilings.
  5. Cracks in your foundations.
  6. An infestation of rats or insects.

How to tell if the main sewer line is broken?

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

How to fix a broken main sewer line?

Pipe lining—If the damage to your sewage pipe is minimal, pipe lining can be used to insert an inflatable tube covered in epoxy into your sewer line. From there, the tube is inflated, pressing against the existing line. While it's up against the existing sewage line, the epoxy cures and hardens, repairing the leak.

Does homeowners insurance cover broken sewer pipes?

Does homeowners insurance cover your sewer line if it's damaged? Damage to your sewer line may be covered by your policy if it is caused by perils such as hail or windstorms, explosions, lightning or fire, damages caused by vehicles, vandalism or falling objects.

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.

4 Signs That Tells You If Your Sewer Line Is Broken | CALL A PLUMBER

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.

Can you fix a sewer line without digging?

Trenchless sewer repair is a method of repairing sewer pipes without destructively digging and removing large portions of flooring, foundation, and walls to expose the building's pipes.

How much does insurance pay for sewer backup?

The average cost of water backup and sewer coverage may range from $50 to $250 per year, with limits of coverage from $5,000 to the full replacement cost of your home. Talk to your independent insurance agent to find the level of coverage that is right for you.

What happens if your sewer line breaks?

If your sewer line develops a problem under your home, it could lead to some serious foundation issues if left unchecked. If you're noticing cracks in your foundation, your broken sewer line has to be repaired as soon as possible. Left alone, it could cause further problems, such as sinkholes and home settling.

Are local governments responsible for paying for sewer line repairs?

Sewer laterals are the underground pipes that connect your home wastewater to the main sewer line in the street. Homeowners are responsible for their sewer laterals, while problems with the public sewer main line are managed by the city or municipality.

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.

What does a broken sewer line look like?

One of the most evident signs of a broken sewer or drain line is large visible cracking in the foundation. If a sewer or drain line leak goes untreated for an extended time, it may cause foundation cracks and sinkholes in the yard.

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 do I test my main sewer line?

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.

What is the difference between a sewer line and a sewer main?

Main drains are located in the walls and floors of your home, while sewer line drains are located outside underground. Each drain pipe in your home is connected to a different household fixture on one end, including toilets, sinks and bathtubs, and the other end is connected to the main sewer line.

How do I find a break in my sewer line?

The most common sign of a sewer break is when you can see water coming up in your basement from the sewer pit, floor drain, through your walls, or on your sidewalk. Sewer breaks further out than your front yard will typically not surface due to the depth of the pipe.

Is a broken sewer line covered by homeowners insurance?

Key takeaways. 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 to tell if your main sewer line is broken?

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.

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.

Does homeowners insurance cover sewage cleanup?

Unfortunately, most homeowners are not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. To make sure you are adequately covered, you should seek a special sewer backup endorsement or, in some cases, a separate policy. Most home insurance companies offer a sewer backup endorsement.

How to fix a sewer backup?

Quick Fixes for Sewer Backups
  1. Use a Plunger – the easiest and most available drain opener around. ...
  2. Buy a Liquid Drain Cleaner – to unclog a sink or bathtub. ...
  3. Release Pressure - by turning off the water at the main supply first. ...
  4. Chemical Drain Cleaning – help with tree roots blockages.

Does home insurance cover underground pipes?

Homeowners are legally responsible for maintaining service lines from their home to their property line. And, standard homeowners policies don't cover service line damage, which means you are on the hook financially for any damaged lines between the street and your house.

How do I fix my main sewer line?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain. ...
  3. Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain. ...
  4. Run the auger until the clog is broken up. ...
  5. Hose out leftover debris. ...
  6. Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain.

What is the cheapest way to replace a sewer line?

Trenchless sewer repairs, such as pipe lining or pipe bursting, are typically 30-40% less expensive than traditional excavation and less invasive. Traditional excavation, which involves digging a trench to access the damaged pipe, is usually more expensive and can cause significant damage to your yard.

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.

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