The sewer line carries every drop of waste water from your home to the city sewer or septic system. When it cracks, sags or fills with roots, drains slow down, sewage can back up into the home, and the yard can turn soggy. Modern methods can often fix it without digging up the whole yard.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent plumbing provider where one serves your area. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Signs of a sewer line problem
These signs point to the main sewer line rather than a single drain.
- Several drains slow or gurgling at once
- Sewage backing up in the lowest drain or toilet
- A sewer smell inside or in the yard
- Wet, sunken or unusually green patches in the yard
- Frequent clogs that keep coming back
- Rodents or insects near drains
What to do right now
If sewage backs up into the home, stop using water, keep people and pets away and do not touch it without protection.
- Stop running water and flushing toilets
- Keep everyone away from any sewage
- Take photos of the backup
- Call a plumber for a camera inspection
- Call your insurer if sewage has caused damage
- Arrange biohazard cleanup if sewage is inside
What damages sewer lines
Tree roots
Roots grow into joints and cracks in search of water and can block or break the pipe.
Old materials
Older lines made of clay, cast iron or Orangeburg, a fiber pipe used in the mid twentieth century, crack and wear out.
Sagging pipe
Ground movement can make a section of pipe sink, so waste collects in the low spot.
Blockages
Grease, wipes and other items build up and stop the flow.
How sewer lines are repaired
- A camera inspection shows the problem and its exact location.
- Roots and blockages are cleared with a cutter or hydro jetting.
- Small damaged sections can be repaired with a spot repair.
- Trenchless lining places a new pipe inside the old one with little digging.
- Pipe bursting pulls a new pipe through as it breaks the old one apart.
- Badly damaged lines may need traditional digging and replacement.
Things to know before repairs
- Homeowners are often responsible for the pipe from the house to the city main, but rules vary
- Repairs usually need a permit
- Ask to see the camera footage
- Trenchless methods are not suitable for every pipe
- Ask whether your insurance has a sewer line or service line add on
Questions to ask before you hire
- Can I see the camera footage of the problem?
- Is trenchless repair possible for my line?
- Who is responsible for each part of the line?
- Do you pull the permit, and is it in the price?
- What warranty do you give on the new pipe?
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if the problem is the main sewer line?
If several drains are slow or back up at the same time, the main line is the likely cause. A camera inspection confirms it.
What is trenchless sewer repair?
Methods such as pipe lining and pipe bursting that repair or replace the line with only small access holes.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer line repair?
Standard policies often exclude wear and tear on sewer lines. Some insurers sell a service line add on.
How long does sewer line repair take?
Spot repairs and lining can take a day or two. Full replacement by digging can take longer.
Learn more
Our main plumbing guide covers the wider picture, including what affects the cost and when to call a professional.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.