How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Sewer Line?

04/25/23

Oh, no — looks like your worst plumbing fears have come true, and you’ll need a sewer line replacement. When this happens, the first question on your mind is how much will this cost?

The average cost of a sewer line replacement for Virginia families is roughly $3,500; however, the cost can range from $1,000 – $20,000 depending on several factors. Read on to learn more about each of these cost factors and better understand what your sewer line replacement will realistically cost.

Factors That Affect Sewer Line Replacement Cost

To get a better understanding of how much your sewer line replacement will cost, you’ll first need to dive into what factors affect pricing:

Sewer Line Camera Inspection

Most of your sewer line system is underground, making it difficult to identify the root cause of the problem.

It may be necessary to have a sewer line camera inspection, which typically costs between $150 and $500 but can be a great way to save on time and cleanup costs, since your plumber won’t have to dig up your yard to get to the bottom of the issue.

Type of Replacement Pipe

Depending on the type of replacement sewer pipe you need, the cost of your piping materials can range from $200 to $500 per square foot. These are just some of the most common types of sewer piping materials found in Virginia homes:

• PVC: The most affordable option, PVC piping is long-lasting and easy to install and replace.
• Copper: Known for its high quality and longevity, copper piping is a more expensive option that may be worth the investment for some homeowners.
• Cast iron: While durable and relatively inexpensive compared to copper, cast iron pipes are susceptible to corrosion and difficult to replace.
• Clay: These types of pipes are most common in older homes and are known to cause significant plumbing problems due to their fragility.
• Orangeburg: Homes built in the 1900s are more likely to have “fiber conduit piping,” known as Orangeburg, which is extremely problematic.

Your plumber will normally replace your sewer line with the same type of piping material you already have installed. However, if your home relies on cast iron, clay, or Orangeburg piping, they may recommend a full system replacement to avoid future catastrophes.

Traditional vs. Trenchless Replacement

When tackling a sewer line replacement, your plumber may recommend one of two methods: traditional or trenchless sewer line replacement.

Traditional sewer line replacements typically cost between $50 to $125 per square foot. Through this method, the old sewer lines are dug up, replaced, and reburied. While this replacement method is less expensive than trenchless sewer line replacement, it can add significant landscaping and cleanup costs to your project (more on that later).

On the other hand, trenchless sewer line replacement costs between $60 and $250 per square foot. This method is only possible when your existing plumbing is still largely intact. Systems that are too deteriorated or compromised are not ideal candidates for trenchless replacement.

Landscaping & Cleanup Services

Traditional sewer line replacements can quickly get messy, tearing up your flowers, grass, gravel, and landscaping and leaving it in a pile of dirt. In the aftermath, you may need to hire a professional to restore your home exterior or landscaping.

This part of the project won’t come from your plumber, so it’s difficult for our team to give a ballpark estimate. However, depending on the landscaping and cleanup team you select, such services can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

The Plumber You Choose

Choosing an experienced plumber is a must, but all those years of experience come at a higher price.

The good news is that with a knowledgeable technician, you can rest assured that your sewer line replacement will be handled correctly the first time. This way, you can avoid the cost of unnecessary (and expensive) repeat service.

When selecting a plumber, it’s important to choose one that:

• Is fully licensed and insured
• Prioritizes environmentally friendly solutions
• Can work on any make or model system
• Provides 24/7 service for emergencies
• Has decades of proven experience backed by five-star reviews

Caffi Services checks all of these boxes and more. Having proudly served the needs of Virginia homeowners for over 50 years, we’re confident our team can restore your sewer line to full functionality in no time.

Our team is continually trained in the most advanced plumbing techniques, and we offer plenty of flexible financing solutions to help families afford replacement.

Don’t let a sewer line replacement take your budget by surprise. Contact Caffi Services online to schedule sewer line replacement today.