Steps to Proper Sewer Replacement

When you begin thinking about different items in your home that will need repair, the sewer doesn't usually come to mind. Many of us don't think about our sewer systems until something actually goes wrong, such as a bad smell, wet spots on the lawn, or the gurgling noises the toilet makes. Before you have your whole lawn dug up to replace the sewer system, there are beginning tricks you can do that will help keep some of these costs down.

Nothing lasts forever and that includes your sewer lines. The older they are, the more likely you will have problems. If you own an older home, one that was built prior to 1980 and have never upgraded your pipes, they are probably made out of clay, steel or another material that can begin to break down. These older pipes can easily be broken from tree roots seeking out the moisture in the pipes, or by a gunky buildup of grease and other byproducts of everyday living in your home. Over the years, this greasy, nasty stuff will slowly clog your pipes and will need to be cleaned out. Running a sewer snake through the pipe does not necessarily help the situation. It can actually do more damage to your pipes.

So how do you know whether your line needs to be repaired or fully replaced? If you are seeing wet sinkholes in your yard and smelling sewage, most likely the sewer line will need to be completely replaced, and this is a very expensive operation to have done. Costs can easily accumulate if there are trees that need to cut down and ground up to get to the sewer line, if your sewer line runs close to the gas line and that needs to be taken care of as well, and if the city's sewer line does not go directly to your home, the cost of tearing up the road may also be added on. All in all, replacing your sewer lines can easily cost between $5000 and $10,000! Before you go all out and spend the money, a good idea is to run a camera down through the whole line and see where the problem lies. Paying $300 is alot better than paying $10,000 for a full sewer replacement if you don't need one.

Now that you know you have to do a full sewer replacement, who do you call? Do not call the first plumber you see in the phone book, but make an effort and get estimates from three or four different plumbers. Just by doing this small task ahead of time may save you $500 or more. Be sure you talk to each plumber and check his credentials. Do not automatically go for the lowest estimate. Choose the plumbing contractor that has the most experience and gives the best estimate.


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Max Schilling is a local experienced San Francisco plumber. His company has been doing plumbing in the San Franciso area for over 30 years. His experienced San Francisco plumbing technicians will help you with your plumbing, drain cleaning, water heater and trenchless sewer line needs. Visit http://www.magicplumbing.com/ for expert advice.