Sewer lines will not last forever. Roots work their way in, extreme temperature changes burst pipes, and general wear and tear compromises the constitution of older lines. Most likely your home will stay standing longer than the fortitude of your sewer pipeline, which means at some juncture you will have to hire a contracter.
Iron was once the gold standard in plumbing pipelines, including the lateral sewer line, which is the drain from your property into the sewer main. When one ruptures, frequently the most prudent solution is to replace the cast iron with new polyethylene pipe that will not face the same dangers in the future.
Another modern sewer pipeline replacement approach is known as trenchless plumbing. This approach enables you to repair the sewer pipeline without tearing up your grass. One type of trenchless sewer pipeline repair is known as the "bursting method": Plumbers will thread a new line through the existing, damaged pipeline. This further expands the old line to make way for the new one.
Another trenchless sewer pipe repair method is the "lining method." Using this approach, contracters will place a resin-coated tube through the broken sewer pipeline and inflate it. This lining will then make any cracks in the existing pipe totally moot. Additionally, the lining can easily be taken out and repaired (or replaced) if necessary.
Even with trenchless sewer pipeline repair, it is possible for invasive roots to repeat their attack. In addition to repairing the desctruction in the pipeline, homeowners may consider impeding root growth in the direction of the sewer pipe for any nearby heavy foliage.
The cost of sewer pipeline repair substantially changes depending on the company doing the work and how much work has to be done. Some sewer lines run under garages, driveways, or landscaping. Especially under these circumstances, trenchless replacement can be a preferable option. When deciding on a plumber, receive quotes from at least 2 different contracters. Make sure all of the quotes include exactly the same items. Contractors often charge significantly different rates for similar labor. Also be sure you get in writing the expected condition of your property after the work is done. In other words, if a contracter does have to dig a trench in your lawn or necessitate other cleanup work, it should be agreed upon whose job it is -- yours or theirs -- to clean it up.
Whenever you receive a price quote for a sewer repair, have a sense of whether similar repairs will have to be made in the very near future. Especially beneath older homes (or newer homes connecting to an older sewer line), it may be worth shelling out for a whole replacement project instead of band-aid-style repairs, so that you won't have to deal with a similar crisis three years from now. Many plumbing companies such as sewer drain cleaning bellevue wa offer a warranty on sewer pipeline replacement, some of them for as long as you own the property.