General Timeframe for Completion Clearing a clogged sewer line may take between one and three hours. Performing a complete sewer line replacement using trenchless methods may take two or fewer business days. Replacing a sewer line using traditional trench-reliant methods may take three or more business days.
There are many benefits to the trenchless method, most notably that it takes just 1 – 3 days to complete the job. You won't have a plumbing crew invading your home for weeks. Call Before You Dig Up That Concrete Slab!
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.
In most cases, home insurance will cover sewer line damage from specific events. This includes extreme weather (excluding earthquakes and floods), vandalism, fire, and damage from vehicles or falling objects.
On average, a small-scale pipe replacement could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Just a Few Hours: For minor pipe damage or replacement of easily accessible pipe sections, professional plumbers could complete the job in just a few hours.
Pipe replacement averages $1,252 and ranges from $371 to $2,133. Your plumbing repair pro can assess your home and estimate the overall cost. Pipes are the circulatory system of your house. They deliver drinking water, clean dishes, fill the bathtub, and send wastewater on its way.
Homeowners insurance typically does not cover pipe replacement if the damage is due to gradual wear and tear, corrosion, or lack of maintenance. However, if the pipes are damaged by a sudden and accidental event, such as a burst pipe caused by freezing, homeowners insurance may cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
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.
As a general rule, sewer line repairs are considered to be standard home maintenance expenses, which means you are not eligible for a tax break on your personal income tax returns.
Sewer line coverage varies in cost but can generally be obtained for $5 to $15 per month, depending on your property size and the area in which you live. Because sewer line incidents often cost upwards of $10,000 to repair, many homeowners consider sewer line coverage a good investment.
Typically, to replace a sewer line it can take anywhere from 1 to 2 days, to 3 to 5 days. In some rare cases, it may even be as quick as one day. Generally, the estimated time frame will depend on the layout of your property, your home's piping system, and the depth required to excavate.
Sewer work is expensive because of the labor-intensive process involved, which includes excavation, pipe removal, and installation of a new one. It requires significant manual labor and expertise, driving up the overall cost.
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.
Occasionally the question arises as to how long concrete pipe will last. It is a generally accepted fact that concrete pipe will last at least 100 years and probably several centuries.
The most effective way is to locate the pipes, and break the concrete enough to access them, excavate the soil and gravel, repair the pipes, and backfill, then pour new concrete over the open area, trowel it smooth and repair/replace any floor covering that existed before the work.
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.
WATER AND SEWER CHARGES ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS PROPERTY TAXES.
It's only natural, then, that you'd want to know if these expenses are tax-deductible. Unfortunately, if your home serves purely as a personal residence, then you can not deduct your home repairs.
The sewer line replacement costs is classified as a land improvement and depreciated over 15 years under the MACRS GDS depreciation schedule.
Expert Recommendations for Sewer Line Cleaning
We recommend homeowners schedule sewer line cleaning every 18 to 24 months to prevent buildup and clogs. Regular cleanings help avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your plumbing system.
Toilets Flush Slowly
You might find that your toilet doesn't fully flush or flushes very slowly and odd noises occur when you flush your toilet. These noises usually sound like gurgling or bubbling. Additionally, the water in your bathtub or shower takes much longer to drain than normal.
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.
However, a homeowners policy won't cover slow, constant leaks or other plumbing problems resulting from neglect or improper maintenance. This also applies to backed-up sump pumps or sewage systems that have not been routinely inspected and maintained.
The cost to replace lead pipes ranges from $2,000 to $15,000. The final figure depends on several factors, like whether you're making a partial or full replacement (trust us, full is best), labor fees, removing existing pipes, the material you're replacing the pipes with, and your home region.