Preparing to redo the sewer service line?

Question

I found out there is roots in my service line and it is clogging. My Uncle is experienced with this and has offered to help me replace the line if I can find friends to help dig.

This would save me a ton! What leg work do I need to be doing, i.e. how to locate, what pipe to buy, fittings I will need. Anything to make this as easy as possible on him.

Thanks!

Answer 1

What you need will depend upon the type of pipe you currently have, the distance between your home and the sewer main and your wastewater utility provider's requirements. They may require something different than what you currently have. You will need to call them to find out what you need to put back. If you still need help, post a new question with the details.

You may have to buy a permit and you certainly will need to have the line inspected before it is covered. The inspection is a federal EPA requirement so it applies in all areas. This is not something you can expect to slip by, they will notice when they come to read your meter.

You also need to call 811, the national "call before you dig" number. You may have a toll free number you could call in your area as well, but as of earlier this year 811 should get you to the same place without having to find the number. They will have someone make sure there are no other utilities in the area you will need to dig.

One last note -- sometimes sewage laterals are pretty deep. Often they drop to 6' - 10' deep as soon as the pipe exits the house. Your utility should be able to give you some idea about this as well. That is a lot of digging, even for several people. You may want to consider a backhoe.

Answer 2

If you have a cleanout outside your house then you should start there! If you dont then you may need to call a plumbing company to come out and locate where the sewer exits the house. If you are in a colder climate area such as anywhere where it gets really cold in the winter the sewer line will be pretty deep.. If not then it may be 2 feet or so where it exits although it will be getting deeper as it works its way through the yard. Sometimes where it ties on to the city sewer it can be as deep as 10 feet so that may be quite a chore to dig by hand. You may want to consider renting an excavator and finding a friend who knows how to use it. Once the line is dug there is nothing better than Schedule 40 PVC pipe and it's accepted by all municipalities. So go back with that. This is a big job so get ready! You are supposed to pull a permit with the city and they are supposed to come out and inspect it before you cover it back up so you may want to get with an inspector and to make sure you know what he wants to see when he comes out. well, good luck...I've got a sewer line that Ive got to go cover up right now!!

Answer 3

Before you go the replacement route have you checked the local plumbing services?
They can do a lot from inside that pipe these days.
It might be worth the cost to save all that digging.

Answer 4

use sch 40 pipe or leave it alone