Suggestion on avoiding future sewage replacement?

[Jahbari McLennan]

Jut talked with my Plumber and let me know we will have to replace the sewage. He believe it was pre condition but hard to tell. Anyone had a similar fix? Curious to know how to avoid In the future

[Mike Dorneman]

@Jahbari McLennan specifically what needs to be replaced? The main from the basement to the connection on the street?

[Marcia Maynard]

Sewage is what runs through the drains and pipes in a sewer system. He was most likely talking about drain lines in the sewer system. What part of the sewer system is in trouble? To get deep into it, you may need to hire a company to inspect the system with a sewer scope. It's amazing what those cameras can reveal.

We had a plumber come out for repeated issues with a clogged sewer line. We finally had the sewer line scoped. The scope revealed that our sewer pipe had collapsed in several places between our building and the public sewer pipe under the alley. The portion that collapsed was made of clay and was close to the surface. Over time, its age (50+ years), the weight of trucks running above it, and earth movement, caused it to fail.  We simply hired a company to dig up that portion of the sewer line and replace it. It cost a lot of money, and required a city permit, but was worth it. It was replaced with black ABS, so we anticipate it will be fine for the next 100 years.

If you are facing a problem with your sewer line, understanding the cause is essential for applying the right remedy. The most common cause is root invasion. Sometimes the problem is caused by earth movement. Sometimes it is caused by the wrong items being flushed down the drains. Sometimes the pipes simply wear out. Remedies include snaking, water blast, mechanically chewing up the clog, chemically dissolving the clog, replacing pipes that are too small to handle the volume of sewage, replacing pipes that have collapsed, or relining an intact sewer pipe that leaks.

If your plumber didn't share with you more about what you are facing, enlist the services of someone who can diagnose the problem more accurately. Your post here is very vague so it's hard to know what your plumber was talking about. 

Regular maintenance of your drain lines is key to longevity of the system. Be wary of trees growing too close to your sewer lines, the roots will naturally try to fine a crack in the line and invade. We once had a tenant who planted an apple tree, without our permission, right above where the sewer line runs from our building to the public sewer system. Needless to say, we had the tree removed as soon as we realized this.

Sewer lines can be composed of a variety of materials and some wear out faster than others. Also, certain conditions can cause sewer lines to fail prematurely. Under the right conditions, clay pipes will most likely last 50 - 60 years and PVC pipes about 100 years. How old is your building? If prior to 1980, you most likely have some clay pipe. From 1980 onward, most likely PVC or ABS. Also does your sewage flow into a public sewer system or into your own septic tank? You need to know the age of your sewer system, the components, what they are made of and where they are located. Then you can better know how to take care of your property and anticipate when things will need to be replaced.

[Jahbari McLennan]

@Mike Dorneman Yes.

[Jahbari McLennan]

Thank you, @Marcia Maynard and I after making this post I did talk with my plumber in detail and did explain to me in more detail that it was a combination of the wrong items being flushed down the drain and older pipe that needed to be replaced. I am not sure if it was made of clay or not. He did mention that it is something hard to catch unless you do get a sewer scope. The house was built in 1987.

When I initially asked the question I was wanted to just understand more of how to avoid but after talking with him and reading your response it is clear that it was time to replace the sewer line. 

Was that something you check after you keep getting calls for your building only? Does it make sense to get it done in the future before making a purchase? 

[Andrew S.]

@Jahbari McLennan Hi Jahbari, If it's not an urgent repair, perhaps consider water and sewer line insurance. On a SF home it is only about $10/month and if you anticipate a repair after the 30-day black out period, it may be a very wise investment!

[Matt K.]

If it's not collapsed or just partial you can always try jetting to clean it out. But I'd start with camera inspection and go from there ...

[Account Closed]

@Jahbari McLennan You could throw down $20 on a pipe snake, $10 on drain cleaning liquid (the tuff stuff) and twirl that snake and try to slowly push it through as you twirl it over and over. I’ve opened up some really old pipes and saved some time getting things functional again. You never know with the contractors that see stuff they can’t show you. Could be worth a try if there’s a clean out somewhere or a toilet removed somewhere. Most business people on here would say hire it out. I’ve done a lot of plumbing but it would be nice to hear how the real plumbers weigh in.

[Mike Dorneman]

@Jahbari McLennan depends greatly on the house itself and distance it is set back from the main connection. I had a property that needed the line replaced from the basement to the street. The line went through the house about 40’ and then another 10’ through sidewalk to the main. The cost about 10k. Main line repairs are not quick or cheap...

[Frank S.]

Originally posted by @Jahbari McLennan:

Jut talked with my Plumber and let me know we will have to replace the sewage. He believe it was pre condition but hard to tell. Anyone had a similar fix? Curious to know how to avoid In the future

Don't use chemichals. Don't use the "hand snakes." 

Get a second opinion.  

Use a plumber with a camera and locator (this will even give you the invert elevation, depth).  This way you can see if the pipe is collapsed and where exactly this happend.   Have them give you a copy of the video. 

You may need to replace only portions of the sewer.

Good luck, 

[Jahbari McLennan]

@Andrew Solomon I have already told them to start the work. Great tip and wish I would if thought of it ahead of time.

[Jahbari McLennan]

@Mike Dorneman They started the work today and I a about to go take a look at it and see. I will let you know what it looks like.