Main sewer line replacement..

[Scott R.]

Im sure tons of you have replaced your sewer line yourself.. hopefully.. lol
bout to tackle this project myself and hopefully save several thousand dollars.. just wondering if anyone had any advise they'd like to share..
property was build in approx. 1930's and I doubt any repiping has been done, line has collapsed and needs completely replacing according to the several plumbers ive recieved bid on.

Just looking for advise.. doesnt seem too hard to me, plan is to rent a mini excavator, dig up yard (120 feet back yard house to alley) then lay new sched 40 PVC down..
couple questions..
can i just lay the new pipe over the old clay pipe or do i need to remove the clay pipe?

I see the digging being the worst part.. dont see laying the pipe and tieing it in being a big deal.. plan to put several clean outs, on both ends.. any advise anyone!? I'd greatly appriciate it!
-Scott
p.s. plan on doing 3" pipe.. small house has 1 bathroom..

[Jason S.]

Sometime that pipe can get deep - especially toward the end depending on how it was installed.

I do not know the exact rules because I secure all trenches but - and this also depends on the soil - the looser the soil the more shallow you need "shoring" If it's more than a 3-4' deep take care and slope the sides- the deeper you get you need to secure the sides. if you do not - you will die .

Sorry to be so severe but it is so easy to die in a trench it is not funny in any way. Usually sewer line do not get too deep until the end - but you never know who installed it - hence my post in this thread.

Depending on your soil - make certain your mini-excavator is big enough for the job - nothing worse than having a machine too small and fighting it rather than spending the extra $50 to get a bigger machine. I used a mini-excavator one time in solid almost rock soil and it was a waste of money.

Anyhow - I was primarily concerned that sometimes pipes get deep especially over a 120' run - if yours does then do not get into that trench - no one realize how easy it is to die in a trench - even if just above the waist - Yes, just above the waist.