How to locate a broken sewer line?

Author: Mr. Osborne Bartell II  |  Last update: Thursday, May 1, 2025

Go to the city office directly or call them to see if they can tell you where the sewer line is located. Usually, they can show you where the line goes from your home to the city's main line. If you are unable to reach the city, see if there is an interactive underground utility map of your area online.

How to locate a broken sewer pipe?

There are many tools out these days that can assist in determining the exact location of a broken sewer pipe. Many plumbers use cameras that go inside the pipe, sewer line locators that can trace the blockage from above ground and these days they make cameras with locators on them.

How to detect a broken 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.

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.

How do I find an underground drain line?

Today, the best tool for the job is ground penetrating radar (GPR) as it accurately maps metal and PVC pipes. Traditional pipe locators use electricity and magnets to locate underground pipes.

How Do You Locate a Sewer Line?

How do plumbers find pipes underground?

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) allows them to locate both metallic and non-metallic objects including PVC pipes deep within the ground without causing damage.

How deep are residential sewer lines buried?

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.

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.

How much does sewer line insurance cost?

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.

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.

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.

How do you fix a broken main sewer line?

If you're looking for an affordable way to fix your sewer line issue, a trench option might be for you. Your plumber will dig up your old line and repair portions of it or replace it. They will then make sure all the proper connections are secured by running a camera through the line.

How do you tell if a drain pipe is broken underground?

The telltale signs of a broken sewer pipe under your house include:
  1. Poor drainage/backed up water in the sinks, toilets, and the bath.
  2. A foul smell, as sewer gases find their way back up the line toward your property.

How do plumbers find broken pipes?

We have many methods to detect a leak. If it's a sewer leak you can camera the line, open drywall and inspect the pipe, run water through the line and see if anything gets wet that isn't supposed to, or smoke test. To smoke test they'll use a smoke machine with a fan built into it to blow smoke through the system.

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.

How many sewer lines does a house have?

Not in most homes. Ordinarily, you have one sewer line that is intended to primarily carry what's known as “black” water; water from the toilets into either the city sanitary sewer system or into your own septic tank.

How many years does a sewer line last?

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.

Why is sewer line replacement so expensive?

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.

How much does it cost to dig a sewer line?

Contractors typically charge per linear foot for both the removal and installation of the new sewer line. In California, that cost can equal anywhere between $50-$250 per linear foot, with an average of around $150.

How to find a broken sewer line?

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.

Are broken sewer lines covered by home 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 long does it take to repair a broken 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 find your outside drain?

Finding an Outdoor Drain Cleanout

If you use a septic system, walk back towards your home and look for a protruding plastic pipe in your lawn or garden. If the cleanout is on the municipal sewer line, you won't see the drainage line. But follow a path through the yard to find the cleanout pipe.

Does a washing machine drain into a sewer line?

In most households, washing machines and sinks are designed to drain separately. The typical setup involves individual drain pipes leading to the main sewer line, ensuring each fixture has an independent pathway for wastewater.

How to find the depth of a sewer line?

One way to find out the depth of your sewer lines is to consult existing property maps or plans. These documents often include information about the location and depth of underground utilities, including sewer lines. If you don't have access to these maps, your local city or county office might have copies.

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