Average Cost: Repairing or replacing a small section of drain pipe can typically run between $250 and $1,250. Repairing larger sections or breaks can run between $400 and $1,500, with that cost going higher based on complexity of the repair.
Drain pipe repairs cost $100 to $800 for minor repairs and up to $8,000+ for major repairs, depending on the drain pipe location and issue. The cost to replace drain pipes in a house averages $150 to $250 per linear foot of pipe for materials and labor.
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.
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.
The average cost of a drainage system in a yard is $1,000 to $4,000. An underground downspout drainage system costs $150 to $350 per downspout. A basement or interior perimeter drain tile system costs $4,000 to $12,000. Exterior weeping tile installation costs $1,500 to $4,000 per side of house.
BACKYARD DRAINAGE CONTRACTORS CAN HELP!
If you have pooling water in your yard, or need a retaining walls contractor to handle wetness coming through a retaining wall, you should contact backyard drainage contractors such as Weinstein Construction for some help in mitigating this dangerous condition.
Standard homeowners policies typically won't cover blocked pipes from tree roots or any type of sewage backup. However, many insurers, including Progressive, offer an endorsement to your policy that may cover sewer line damage.
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.
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 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.
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.
On the other hand, if you've got sewer problems or other urgent repairs, you really can't afford to wait, and financing definitely makes sense. You basically have three choices—a personal home improvement loan, a home improvement credit card, and a home equity loan.
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.
Main water line replacement costs an average of $1,713 but ranges from $646 to $2,824, depending on the length and depth of the line, materials, and method. A plumber can assess your project. Main water line replacement costs an average of $1,713 or $50 to $150 per linear foot.
A whole-home repipe is a misnomer – not every pipe in your home gets replaced during a repipe. In fact, a whole-home repiping only involves your home's hot and cold water supply systems. Your drainage and sewer system are separate projects that aren't involved during a repiping service.
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.
If your sewer line is damaged, it could delay or even halt a possible sale. Even if you do sell the property, you could have to accept a lower price or make concessions. However, getting trenchless sewer line repair done can improve the value of your place.
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 and Water Backup coverage is an endorsement on homeowners' policies. It usually comes in different coverage increments: $5,000. $10,000.
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.
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.
After you file a home insurance claim, it's possible that your premium will increase when your policy renews. If you file one claim, your insurance company may see you as likely to file another in the future. To offset the cost of that potential claim, your insurance company may charge you more for your policy.
Homeowners insurance usually won't cover damage to your home caused by sewer, septic tank or drain backups. That's unfortunate, because these types of backups can cause thousands—even tens of thousands—of dollars of damage to your personal property.