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Sewer Line To Replace it or not

15 years ago

We have an old house 85 years old, the main sewer line is original, it is clay. We have lived in the house for 6 years and have had to get the drain rotted out 3 times now. The first was really bad because it backed up into the basement bathroom, which we had the toliet drain capped since we didn't use that bathroom at all. The next two times were not as bad.... Anyways, We are thinking of finishing the basement and would like to avoid the drain backing up, if at all possible.

There have been roots in the drain all three times it has been rotted. Never a mention of pipe being cracked or damaged but drain has not be video taped. The city will be tearing up the street and replacing the city sewer lines on our whole block. We are thinking of getting our sewer line replaced. The only cost savings would be the connection to the city sewer since it will be dug up anyways.

I have called a couple of plumbers and heard "if it ain't broke don't fix it" to "you should definitely replace it even if you are not having problems, it is over 80 years old and it is clay....."

I am trying to gather some unbaised opinions to sort through as I am sure it is not cheap to replace the line plus we have a large old elm tree that from what the city can tell is on top or very close to the sewer line, which removing the tree would be a last resort. Read if the tree has to come down we are not replacing the pipe unless the tree completely blocks,breaks or crushes the sewer line.

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Comments (5)

hendricus
15 years ago
If possible just run a new line where it is easiest and abandon the old line.
zboy
Original Author
15 years ago
Unfortunately, that is easier said then done. Our lot is 27' wide, house is 22' wide almosted centered. One side is the side walk/access, other side is dirt where the line currently located until it get to the front easement then angles 45 to end up in the middle of the lot where it enters the city sewer. Problem is we are told the entry must be at least 10' from fresh water lines, if we try to go either side of tree it is less than 10' to our water or neighbors....so it may take moving both fresh water and sewage
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pjb999
15 years ago
There are systems that reline the existing pipe, coating it somehow. Not sure how well it would work but might be a consideration.

I understand how you feel about it, I'd hate to be waiting for it to back up again....When I build my carport we were putting in over $10k in concrete (long driveway) and had clay drains under, I was adamant we should replace the drains at least where the drive ran, plumbers may say "oh we have ways of getting around whatever" but those ways cost, I went to the trouble of digging down to existing pipe to find the cleanout (in Australia the cleanout's usually outside) to my pleasant surprise the pipe was in perfect order....to save money we left it and put the carport over it, but we did run an extension to the cleanout so we had a nice little screw-down pvc cover/inspection plate that I ran flush with the paving, so it was there if we needed it. It's my ex-wife's problem now ;) but as far as I know, there's been no problem.

In your case with known weed issues, you do need to do something. Here's one example of what I'm talking about in terms of relining:

Here is a link that might be useful: Sewer pipe reline
heimert
15 years ago
If you've had back ups three times, then "it ain't broke" simply isn't true. But you might get it video'd to be sure.

I would get it fixed so that you don't have to worry any more. Another back up that ruins a finished basement may be more expensive that the replacement now.
busboy
15 years ago
thanks for the video link pjb999. I knew that technology was available to reline chimneys but I had no idea that it was available for sewer lines! Zboy check out the video!

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