The Average Cost of Repairing a Clogged Sewer Line: What You Need to Know

We want to start by saying the cost of repairing your sewer line can vary significantly. It all depends on the severity of the clog and several other specifications. A few things that a professional plumber will need to take into account are the location of the clog and the length of the repair. Outright replacing your sewer line will also cost a lot more than removing a minor obstruction.

There are two types of services when it comes to sewer line repairs and replacement: Trenchless Repair Solutions and Traditional Sewer Line Repairs. We want to explain in greater detail the differences between trenchless and traditional methods.

Trenchless sewer line repairs are a non-invasive method that does not require you to excavate your property. This will eliminate a lot of costs and damages involved in a more traditional repair method. Trenchless solutions are a lot simpler and they take a lot less time to perform. Technicians can also detect the source of the obstruction by digging a small hole in your yard and performing a camera inspection. A trenchless solution also ensures greater accuracy in determining the cause of the issue.

Traditional repair solutions are typically a lot more expensive. This is because you will need to remove sections of your yard or tear down an entire wall so that you can locate the clog. Also, if you live in a big city, local ordinances can make it a lot more difficult and costly to excavate your yard. Extensive digging can also have a severe impact on other nearby structures and potentially destroy them.

If a pipe in your sewer line has a minor clog, then you can remove it via an auger or snake drain. This is an extremely cost-effective solution and you can do it by yourself. However, we highly recommend that you hire a professional plumber to use a snake drain on your plumbing. If you are not careful, then you can easily end up causing more damage to your drainage system.

Another method of removing clogs from your sewer line is hydro-jetting. This involves injecting pressurized water into your sewer system to remove grease, build-up, and other debris. Hydro-jetting will get the job done quickly and it also represents an affordable alternative to unclogging your sewer line.

Sewer line services can cost you anywhere between $2,250 and $5,750, which averages out to roughly $4,000 for any extensive repairs. This includes the initial cost of inspecting your sewer line and locating the clog. These repair prices also encompass numerous sewer line problems, including a pipe burst, tree root intrusions, and a collapsed sewer line.

Repairing a broken or cracked sewer line can cost you anywhere from $50 to $450 per linear foot. Removing an intrusive tree root will run you anywhere from $200 to $600. Hiring a professional to use a drain snake to remove the clog will range from $150 to $500, and the average cost of hydro-jetting is $250 to $800. The more severe the obstruction, the more it will cost to remove it.

A collapsed sewer will cost a lot more money to repair. If the damage is extensive, then you will need to install a whole new sewer line. Old and unsalvagable pipes will need to be replaced. A full replacement will run you anywhere between $8,000 to $30,000. The price will ultimately depend on the amount of digging involved and the width of the sewer line. Repairing a 15-foot section of pipe alone will cost you a minimum of $1,500 to $2,500.

We always remind our clients that there are certain indicators of sewer line damage that they should know about. For example, if you smell any foul odors emanating from your drain, then you have a problem with your sewer line. If you are experiencing any backups, or if wastewater debris is appearing in your bathtub, then you should call a professional plumber immediately.

Many of our clients also ask us about repairing their sewer line versus replacing it. You can easily repair any clogs and cracks in your sewer line. However, if you are experincing severe structural issues, then you will need to replace it. An inspection will determine if you need to perform any repairs or a replacement.