Even the strongest sewer pipe doesn't remain intact forever. Roots work their way in, extreme temperature changes burst seams, and general wear weakens the strength of older materials. Chances are your property will stay standing longer than the fortitude of your sewer pipe, which means at some juncture you will have to call a professional.

Cast iron used to be the gold standard in plumbing lines, including the lateral sewer line, which is the drain from your home into the city sewer main. When one breaks, often the most prudent course is to replace the cast iron with new ABS pipe that will not break so readily in the future.

Another contemporary sewer pipe replacement approach is called trenchless plumbing. This approach makes it possible to fix the sewer pipe without tearing up your ground. One kind of trenchless sewer pipe repair is called the "bursting method": Laborers will thread a new pipeline through the existing, ruptured pipeline. This further bursts the existing pipeline to make way for the replacement.

A second trenchless sewer line repair method is the "lining method." Using this approach, contracters will insert a flexible tube through the existing sewer pipe and inflate it. This lining will then cover up any leaks in the existing pipe. Better yet, the lining can easily be taken out and repaired (or switched out) when needed.

Even with trenchless sewer pipe repair, it is possible for nearby roots to repeat their invasion. In addition to fixing the desctruction in the pipe, property owners may consider impeding root growth in the direction of the pipeline for any nearby heavy foliage.

The price of sewer pipe repair dramatically varies depending on the company doing the labor and how much labor there is to do. Some sewer pipes run under garages, driveways, or landscaping. Especially under these circumstances, trenchless replacement can be a worthwhile option. When choosing a plumber, ask for quotes from at least three different plumbers. Check that all of the quotes include all of the same work. Contractors often charge significantly different rates for the same parts. Also be sure you get in writing the expected condition of your property once the work is finished. That is to say, if a plumber does have to dig a trench in your lawn or make a mess, it should be clear whose responsibility it is -- theirs or yours -- to get everything looking good again.

Whenever you ask for a price quote for a sewer fix, have a sense of whether it's likely more fixes will have to be have to be performed in the very near future. Especially beneath older houses (or newer houses connecting to an older sewer pipeline), it could be worth shelling out for a whole replacement project instead of little-by-little fixes, so that you won't have to stomach a similar dilemma three years down the road. A lot of plumbing companies such as Sewer line repair Tacoma WA provide a warranty on sewer pipe replacement, some of them for as long as you own the home.