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Sewer Line Replacement Procedure - make other piping or septic tank repairs
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
This article describes when, where, how, and why a sewer pipe or "drain line" is replaced. The line which was replaced in this photo-illustrated
case runs from the building exterior to a septic tank located downhill from the home.
We present an actual case study, illustrated with photos of each step in the diagnosis and replacement of a blocked
sewer line.
- Examples of repairs easy to make during sewer or septic tank piping replacement
- How to repair leaks into a septic tank
- How to check and repair the septic tank during drain line excavation
- How to determine that cleaning or de-clogging a drain line is a waste of time and money - when is drain line replacement needed?
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Making Other Septic Repairs During Sewer Line Replacement
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Later discoveries during excavation made us glad we'd decided to replace the entire
drain line.
Not only was the sewer
pipe broken in several other places, also we found and were able to repair a problematic
leak at the entry of the drain pipe to the septic tank.
We found that the connection of the waste line to the septic tank had been leaking
ground water into the septic tank in wet weather.
The nature of this into-septic tank leak
problem was quite evident when it rained during our project as water ponded at the
entry to the tank. |
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We confirmed that the tank had been flooded by opening the tank inspection
cover at the intake baffle where we saw that sewage had flowed over the baffle top.
(Flooding a septic tank can result in early clogging and failure of
the drain field.)
The "fix" in this case was a simple and expedient if crude
concrete "seal" at the pipe entry to the septic tank to reduce the chances of water
collecting and entering the tank at that point again.
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Are you Wasting Money on sewer line and drain line cleaning attempts when a new drain is what's needed?
The cost of this attempt to unblock a clogged building drain was several hundred dollars
to pay the workers and for use of the power snake machine.
While it was disappointing to
have spent this money only to discover that what was needed was a drain replacement, we considered
it the fair cost for a confident diagnosis of what work was needed. In hindsight, we could
have assumed that the drain replacement was needed based on the age of the home and
gone directly to hiring the excavator, but most experts would consider that a rash step
since there are plenty of instances of blocked drains that do not need to be replaced.
This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems. Also see Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains. |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about sewer line repair or replacement for septic or sewer hookups
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Thanks to Thomas Gleason, excavators, Poughkeepsie, NY 845-454-3730, for the excavating work at the project photo documented here in September 2006
- Thanks to Cleveland Plumbing, the prime plumbing contractor, Staatsburgh, NY 845-485-7700 for the plumbing work and drain clog diagnosis work documented here in September 2006
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
(2006), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies.
Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going
for homeowners but is a text we recommend for professionals--DF. I>
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
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