One of a homeowner’s worst nightmares is finding that their sewer line has broken and needs to be replaced.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to replace the sewer line as quickly as possible. That begs the question, how long does it take to replace a sewer line?
Various factors can impact how long it takes to replace a sewer line exactly, but most sewer line replacements take anywhere from one to three days to complete.
Keep reading to learn more about how long it takes to replace a sewer line. This article will provide an overview of sewer line replacement, including how long it takes, how to do it yourself, and more.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Sewer Line?
Most sewer line replacements take one to three days to complete. That being said, some sewer line replacements only take half a day, whereas others take more than three days. In other words, it can be difficult to assess how long it takes to replace the sewer line without considering all of the factors first.
- Location
The number one factor that impacts how long it takes to replace a sewer line is the location of the clog or breakage. Some locations are easier to access than others. If the clog happens right underneath your yard, the job can be fixed in very little time. However, it can take more than three days if it occurs underneath a street. - Type of Damage
The type of damage done also impacts replacement time. Some damages are easy to fix, such as grease stoppages. At the same time, black pitched sewer lines can take up to five days to replace. - The Pipes
This is something else to consider when asking the question, how long does it take to replace a sewer line? The pipe material and age can impact time since certain materials require more care than others.
Main Sewer Line Replacement
Your main sewer line is the line that will connect your sewer or septic tank to your city’s connection. If your main sewer line breaks, you will need to replace it quickly so that you can go about using the sewer line as before.
You will need to hire a professional for a main sewer line replacement.
Because of the nature of main sewer lines, they sometimes extend well beyond your house and into the street. As a result, main sewers can take a lot longer to replace. They might take as many as four to five days to replace since trenches have to be dug in the street and outside of your home.
Whenever main sewer lines need to be replaced, you’ll need to work with a plumber to get everything in order, including permits and materials. Often, sewer lines are made from PVC, but main lines may require cast iron, which is much more durable.
You might need to invest in a residential sewer line replacement if you are experiencing sewer backflow, strong gutter odors, or leakage of sewer water.
How to Replace Sewer Line Yourself
If you need to replace your sewer line, you can possibly do it yourself. There are two popular ways to repair a sewer line, depending on where the damage is done. You will either need to repair the pipe lining or use the pipe bursting method. Here’s how to repair the sewer line yourself for both scenarios.
- Pipe Lining
If you know that your sewage pipe isn’t completely destroyed, you can insert a pipe lining or inflatable tube cover around the sewer lining and fill it with epoxy. Whenever the tubing is inflated, it will press up against the sewage line so that the epoxy cures and repairs the leak. You can then remove the inflatable tube after this line is repaired. - Pipe Bursting
If the pipe lining method doesn’t work, you can feed a cone-shaped bit through the line. This will remove the old line and put in a new one.
It’s important to note that both of these scenarios are ideal for small to intermediate breaks. If your pipe is completely broken and needs to be replaced entirely, you will likely not be able to replace it yourself.
Should I Hire a Professional to Replace Sewer Line?
In some cases, the damage to your sewer line will be so severe that neither of the methods above work. If that’s the case for your sewer lines, you will likely need to hire a professional to replace the sewer line using more traditional methods.
The downside of hiring a professional to replace your sewer line is that the process will be more costly. That’s because professional repair is a lot more invasive and requires formal excavation. Of course, it is also the only way to properly replace a sewer line that is broken severely.
In other words, the high price associated with hiring a professional is well worth it. The professional will be able to properly excavate around the line so that it can be repaired or replaced properly. The professionals will also have advanced tools so that the replacement process is as quick as possible.
Conclusion
Once again, how long it takes to replace a sewer line depends on a number of factors, but most residential sewer line placements take between one to three days. If you know what you’re doing and have the proper equipment to get the job done, the job can hopefully get finished quickly and efficiently.
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