Is your sewer line showing signs of damage? Should you repair or replace it? Replacing a sewer line when a simple repair will solve the problem is a waste of money. At the same time, trying to fix a broken sewer line when it should be replaced will cost you in the future, says American Heritage Management experts.
Of course, most homeowners would rather fix a broken sewer line than replace it. This is because of the high cost of replacing a sewer line. But when making this decision you want to look beyond the immediate cost of each option. There are lots of things to be considered.
How do you determine the better option between sewer line replacement and sewer line repair? This post will walk you through the things to look at when trying to make this decision. The information you find here will save you money by helping you avoid costly mistakes.
Should you repair or replace your sewer line?
Your first goal should be to repair the line. Only go directly to sewer line replacement if past issues have shown that the sewer line is beyond repair. This is why it is vital to have a reputable plumber camera inspect your sewer line before you make this decision.
Secondly, you are less likely to need sewer line replacement if you can catch the problems in your sewer line early. Late detection or misdiagnosis of problems allows the issues in your sewer line to get worse. This is why you should inspect your sewer line every year.
What do you need to know when choosing between sewer line repair and replacement?
- The severity of sewer line damage
The kind of damage in your sewer line is a huge factor in the scope of work you have to do. If the sewer line is suffering from minor damage – a single cracked point, small holes, or leaks – it should be repaired. Major issues like multiple leaks, extensive cracks, widespread tree root invasion, a collapsed section, or significant corrosion will require you to replace the sewer line. Note that when replacing a sewer line, you do not need to replace the entire line, if only a small section is affected.
- Pipe age and material
If your sewer line was installed more than 50 years ago, it is probably time to replace it. You may want to replace the line if the pipe material is Orangeburg or an old pipe material that is no longer in use. Compared to PVC, clay and cast iron pipes are highly prone to corrosion. If you have these materials in your sewer line, you should consider replacing the line. Sewer lines become more brittle to failure as they age. If your sewer line is increasingly problematic, this could be the right time to replace it. Failing to do it now may lead to higher future costs.
- Cost
Restoring a sewer line is always cheaper than replacing it. But if the line is in poor condition, future maintenance costs can make repair the costlier option. Before deciding, compare the upfront cost of sewer line replacement to the cost of sewer line repair + the ongoing cost of maintenance. If the cost of restoration + maintenance is close to the cost of replacement, you are better off replacing the line. Short-term cost-cutting that leads to higher future repair or replacement costs makes no sense. However, if the cost of sewer line replacement is too high it is alright to opt for sewer line repair as a stop-gap solution.
- Your plans
If you plan to sell your home soon, it makes no sense to replace the sewer line, unless doing so will significantly boost the value of your property. On the other hand, if you plan to stay in your home for the long term, it would be wise to replace the sewer line. Furthermore, if you plan to upgrade or expand your home, you may want to replace the sewer line. Sewer line capacity is proportional to the size of a building. If you are thinking of adding more rooms, floors, or toilets to the existing structure, or even adding a separate building to the property, your existing sewer line will not be able to handle the increased load.
- Local regulations and environmental considerations
Building codes are constantly being updated to reflect the evolving needs of society and technological changes. If your sewer system is old, it is probably out of code. This is something to think of when choosing between sewer line repair and replacement. The other issue is the impact of repair or replacement on your yard and the environment. Generally, the environmental impact of restoring a sewer line is smaller than the impact of replacing it.
What should you do? Ultimately, the decision to replace or repair your sewer line can only be made by you. However, you do need the insights of a professional plumber to guide you through the steps to reach the right decision. Make sure the plumber you hire for this process is experienced and also understands the intricacies of sewer line replacement and repair in the Chicago area.