Sewer lines don't last forever. Roots work their way in, drastic dramatic seasonal shifts burst seams, and average wear and tear compromises the integrity of older materials. It's likely your property will stay standing longer than the fortitude of your sewer line, which means at some juncture you will have to call a contracter.
Iron used to be the gold standard in plumbing lines, including the lateral sewer line, which is the drain from your home into the sewer main. When this pipe ruptures, frequently the optimal choice is to replace the existing pipe with new ABS pipe that will not face the same dangers in the future.
Another contemporary sewer line replacement approach is known as trenchless plumbing. This approach enables you to repair the sewer line without digging a trench. One type of trenchless sewer line repair is known as the "bursting method": Plumbers will insert a new line through the existing, cracked pipeline. This further bursts the broken line to make room for the new one.
A second trenchless sewer pipe repair strategy is the "lining method." Using this approach, contracters will place a flexible tube through the old sewer line and inflate it. This lining will then make any cracks in the existing pipe totally moot. Additionally, the lining can easily be removed and repaired (or replaced) as future problems arise.
Even with trenchless sewer line repair, it is possible for nearby roots to repeat their damage. In addition to repairing the desctruction in the line, property owners may consider impeding root growth toward the sewer pipe for any nearby trees.
The price of sewer line repair substantially varies depending on the company doing the labor and how much labor has to be done. Some sewer lines run underneath garages, driveways, or landscaping. Especially under such circumstances, trenchless replacement can be a worthwhile option. When deciding on a plumbing company, receive estimates from 2 or 3 different bidders. Ensure that all of the estimates include exactly the same work. Contractors often charge very different costs for the same parts. Also make sure to get in writing the expected condition of your property once the work is done. That is to say, if a plumber does have to dig through your lawn or make a mess, it should be clear whose responsibility it is -- yours or theirs -- to clean it up.
Any time you receive a price quote for a sewer repair, get an idea of whether it's likely more repairs will have to be made in the very near future. Especially under older homes (or newer homes connecting to an older sewer line), it may be worth paying for an entire replacement project instead of piecemeal repairs, so that you won't have to put up with a similar crisis 6 months down the road. A lot of plumbing contracters such as Sewer line repair Tacoma WA offer a warranty on sewer line replacement, some of them for as long as you own the home.