Sewer line replacement is unlikely to be a home repair cost you think about when moving into a new house. It is a major cost you are likely to run into at some point of owning a home, so it is better to be aware of the process. In an online poll, 25% of participants said they have had to replace their sewer pipes. A survey taken by Home Advisor showed the median price for sewer repair in the U.S is about $2400. That amount includes not just the actual repair cost, but the cost of clean-up and re-landscaping as well.
Although not an option for every sewer line repair situation, trenchless pipe repair can replace damaged pipes with less collateral damage than the conventional method. Trenchless pipe replacement started being used about 15 years ago, around 2000. There are three constraints that make a home ineligible for the process. Read below to find out if your repair job is one of them.
1. A major break in the pipes. If the pipe is badly damaged, traditional digging methods will need to be used.
2. The grade is too steep. If the grade, or degree of slope, is faulty, the pipe will need to be replaced by digging.
3. Blocking of other pipes. One drawback to using trenchless pipe lining is that there is the possibility of other pipes becoming blocked when the defective pipe is repaired. This is avoidable if the contractor is careful and makes a thorough examination of all pipe openings.
Trenchless pipe repair techniques are able to take care of clogged pipes due to expanding tree roots. Using a high-pressured water stream of 4000 psi, a repairperson can clear pipes with less digging. For more complicated repairs, trenchless sewer and pipe repair can cost up to 30 to 50% more than a simple traditional digging repair job.
Some homeowners can still end up saving a bit of money if they are saved from destroying their lawns or driveways. As much as 78% of participants in one survey admitted they would pay more for plumping if it meant less damage to clean up later. Which would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.