Rusted Exterior Sewer Main Line, Replace?

Question

I am in process of purchasing my first MF house and one of the notable items on the inspection report was the sewer main which is heavily rusted on the exterior.  The inspector was able to scrape off layers when taking a look shown by the photo with pieces on the floor.  He also noted some weeping below the pipe.  From my research, it could still be functional for a couple of years and the exterior condition may not be indicative of the inside.  I have no knowledge of how the current drains are performing, but what are some things I should look for?

• Would you replace before having tenants? (I am having a plumber to replace the main water line coming into the house).
• Or would you wait til its broken to address, which could be next year or in 10 years?

John Salgado · Answer

First of all thank you to everyone who replied and took the time to do so.  This was my first purchase and all your feedback was very helpful in a time when everything is new and time was key factor.

Horizontal basement sewer drain was replaced and paid to have the vertical stack water jetted due to gunk clogging like an artery, to only end up replacing the entire drain stack/branches.  (one night my kitchen sink started pouring water into the basement only to find out it was bc of a rusted elbow, most likely from constant draino and old age) I could have saved the money spent on water jetting though - rookie mistake.

All in all, glad I had that one leak since it pushed me over the edge to do the drain pipes for the entire house.  Didn't want to have 100 different repairs on the same drain system with tenants living there and rushing to do the job.  I was able to bid out the job and get the best price.  House was operational in 2 months.

Best of luck to all!

Matt K. · Answer

wonder if you could do some UT to see what the thickness is... no idea if it'd even be worth it for this though (I've never seen it applied to this).

for reference

http://www.eci-ndt.com/ultrasonic-pipe-tank-testing.html

Will Barnard · Answer

No, the water main will need to be excavated to install new, trenchless s only for the sewer. As for unforeseen expenses on the sewer line, the only unforeseen you could have is if the portion that is in the street that connects to the city’s mainline to your line, if that section is bad, you will need to replace that section as well which is almost as costly for a much shorter length. Have your plumber camera the entire line to make sure, then there are no “unforeseen” issues.

John Salgado · Answer

@Mike McCarthy - great idea.  I will go that route and have the camera done when replacing the inside.

@Will Barnard does the trenchless system also work for the water main line coming into the house?  I am having that replaced due to low water pressure (rusted galvanized steel).

@Jamie Mathieu no, we didnt do the sewer scope as part of the inspection.  didnt know you could have that done.  I'll most likely deal with the inside sewer line now and see how bad the outside one is when it is removed.

If the sewer line job is $2k, how much would you estimate for cushion to account for extra work/unforseen expenses?

Jamie Mathieu · Answer

Did you have a sewer scope as part of your inspection?  If not, I agree with having the plumber scope the line to see what the inside looks like. I would probably just deal with it now to give yourself some peace of mind and reduce the headache of having to deal with it later when a tenant is living there.

Will Barnard · Answer

You have two options for replacement, you can excavate and then have the plumber install the new sewer main or you can excavate two pits (one on each end and do a trenchless system which is a process where the new pipe goes through the old one and breaks it up as it is pushed through with the special equipment. Less excavation and the job is quick and painless. A plumber should cost you around $2k for about 45 feet or so (at least in my area).

You probably want to pull a permit for this too.

Mike McCarthy · Answer

It's easier to get a plumbing contractor who can handle it from beginning to end.  If you have the time, yes, it's cheaper to get some day laborers or 2 people off Craig's list to dig.  (depending on the depth).

You don't know the condition of the underground portion until you camera it.  If it were me, I'd get a plumber in to replace the damaged portion inside.  When it's open, have him run a camera down and give an opinion on the exterior.  Then make a decision.

Long story short, you're going to have to replace some of it.  Now or within the next few years is up to you.  I think things like this are always easier when the house is empty and you don't need to coordinate no water use for the tenant.

John Salgado · Answer

thanks for the reply, definitely don't want that 3am call and have to pay more out of pocket to clean up the mess

@Mark Fries have you had any pipes that look like this? I'm all for saving money, but i'm beginning to realized money vs time and effort.

@Colleen F.  my house is definitely older so who knows how old my pipe is.  good point on the planned repair.

@Mike McCarthy the water main is about 10 feet a part from the sewer main.  I also wasn't planning on changing the one go out of the house, only inside the basement because of the possible sewage leak happening within the house.  any experience with this?  some posts talk about just getting an excavator to do the work, since the plumber will contract out the work?

Rusted Exterior Sewer Main Line, Replace?

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