Need to replace my main sewer line, any suggestions on companies?

[drift_g35]

Found out yesterday I have a mini forest in my sewer line. Tried to get it cleaned out but it only moved the roots to the sides. So it looks like its time to replace the whole line. I would prefer not to spend $10,000 to do this. Does anyone here suggest anyone?

Its about 40 feet of line, maybe 12 feet deep and about 14 feet is under the sidewalk/street.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Wulf202]

Diy for $1700 or so including track hoe rental. As a base number but most cities dont let home owners go into the street

[drift_g35]

Diy for $1700 or so including track hoe rental. As a base number but most cities dont let home owners go into the street

Who would I contact to see if they will allow that? Even if I have to pay a few thousand to get permission to dig and have them repair, thats still cheaper than what most people ive talked to have paid.

[th3w01f]

Not 100% sure but you'll probably have to pull permits and have the work inspected by the county if you DIY; probably not a big deal.

[Monky]

Check w/ your insurance? Mine has a sewer line replacement.. up to 15k.. State Farm

[Wulf202]

Who would I contact to see if they will allow that? Even if I have to pay a few thousand to get permission to dig and have them repair, thats still cheaper than what most people ive talked to have paid.

The permit office. Also check if they want green or black pipe. Double or a single bi cleanout and if they require beded cleanouts. And see if it's an open trench inspection or partial.

If you want to chat about it pm me your number and available times

[CobaltSkink]

My drain had been running slow off and on for several years. Finally, last year, it stopped hard.
From the basement, I tried a drain cleaner chemical. I tried using a blow bag.
I tried using a piece of electrical conduit as a rod. I got about 15' outside the house.

I paid a drain cleaning service to clean the line.
They tried cleaning via the toilet vent. Then, I pulled the only toilet and they tried cleaning from that.
They went a certain distance past where I went and then stopped hard. ($130)
They said the next step was to escalate to a "hydro jetter".

The next day, I started diggin to find an outside cleanout. I got lucky and found one exactly where I was digging.
I exposed the pipe and covered the hole with a piece of plywood.

The hydro jetter showed up the next day.
He used an angle grinder to cut a 6" hatch i the top of the exposed pipe.
The hydro jetter is a trailer mounted machine which uses water and $100 bills to clean the line.
Water pressure from a pressure head 1.) cuts the roots and 2.) rotates at the same time.
They scoped the line afterwards; it looked like clean, fired clay pipe again.
Cost $450 cash; time about 30 minutes from when the jetter showed up.
Distance about 40' from the outside cleanout.

hth,
cobaltskink

[fairrpe86]

Elite Pipe MD
Jay Russell
303-994-3837

i race with Jay, he is a stand up guy and does great work. Give him a call and see what his thoughts are

[newracer]

There is also a process where they blow in a flexible line, then expand it with high pressure air that crushes your old line, then cure it hard with heat.

[blm28]

I had to replace my line about 5 years ago, same problem. I used ARS. They did a trenchless repair. Dig two holes, one at the house and the other at the main in the street. They have a device that they pull throught the old line. It breaks the old tile line and pulls in a new seamless line. There was no damage to the lawn or anything in between the holes. The distance was about the same as yours, cost was about $7000.

[Monky]

My drain had been running slow off and on for several years. Finally, last year, it stopped hard.
From the basement, I tried a drain cleaner chemical. I tried using a blow bag.
I tried using a piece of electrical conduit as a rod. I got about 15' outside the house.

I paid a drain cleaning service to clean the line.
They tried cleaning via the toilet vent. Then, I pulled the only toilet and they tried cleaning from that.
They went a certain distance past where I went and then stopped hard. ($130)
They said the next step was to escalate to a "hydro jetter".

The next day, I started diggin to find an outside cleanout. I got lucky and found one exactly where I was digging.
I exposed the pipe and covered the hole with a piece of plywood.

The hydro jetter showed up the next day.
He used an angle grinder to cut a 6" hatch i the top of the exposed pipe.
The hydro jetter is a trailer mounted machine which uses water and $100 bills to clean the line.
Water pressure from a pressure head 1.) cuts the roots and 2.) rotates at the same time.
They scoped the line afterwards; it looked like clean, fired clay pipe again.
Cost $450 cash; time about 30 minutes from when the jetter showed up.
Distance about 40' from the outside cleanout.

hth,
cobaltskink

I saw a video of one of those things being used to clean out a 2' pipe that got clogged.. it was pretty damn impressive the force it was putting out.

[Jamnanc]

If the pipe is not offset and it's just roots, you really should talk to somebody about lining it or pulling poly pipe through it.

[SideShow Bob]

The line still has to be cleared for the lining process

[blm28]

Not sure if the roots have to be cleared first or not. They didn't clear mine.

[drift_g35]

I think I might try the hydro jet before I replace the whole line. See if I get lucky.


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[gnihcraes]

My experience; rooted line with whatever method works. Then cut down the dang tree. Haven't had a problem since. (knock on wood) Been ~ 17 years or so.

[Great-Kazoo]

My experience; rooted line with whatever method works. Then cut down the dang tree. Haven't had a problem since. (knock on wood) Been ~ 17 years or so.

Don't forget to drop some root killer on the stump.

[gnihcraes]

Don't forget to drop some root killer on the stump.
Grind them and root killer. Yup..

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[colorider]

My parents had the hydrojet done last year. It works great. Very expensive equipment. Also very impressive on how well it clears roots.

[drift_g35]

Im going to go the hydrojet route, But i'm also going to replace the line from my house to the sidewalk and put outdoor cleanouts in. Does any one have an excavator they rent out?

[SideShow Bob]

Im going to go the hydrojet route, But i'm also going to replace the line from my house to the sidewalk and put outdoor cleanouts in. Does any one have an excavator they rent out?

Sorry, I don't loan things out anymore, especially chainsaws .......[Tooth]

[TRnCO]

I currently work at a wastewater treatment facility and I used to clean and inspect pipes for 15 years. I'd recommend hydro jet and then have them run a camera down the line. If the line is still round, not collapsing, and no large cracks or holes or offset joints, then you could start using a product to kill the roots annually. We keep a product on hand just for this purpose called RootX. We have several customers that use it annually and to treat a 50' line of 4" you would only need to spend $20. annually to keep the roots at bay.
Digging and replacing would be my last option, if it were me, and the pipe would have to be about to fail for me to dig and replace completely. Too many companies with backhoes at their disposal are all to anxious to dig, because that's where the money is. Fact is, a little sag, or some roots, is not reason to dig and replace. In other words, digging is the last option, after you KNOW for a fact it needs to be dug up. I'd bet once the roots are removed that a little annual maintenance would keep the turds flowing down hill for many more years.