If one drain is slow, it’s probably a clog. If several drains are slow, a toilet gurgles when the washer runs, or a backup keeps coming back after it’s been cleared, the problem may be farther down: your main sewer line.
We see this all over Greensboro, Summerfield, Oak Ridge and Stokesdale, especially in older neighborhoods. Here’s what to watch for, how we figure out what’s wrong, and what a replacement looks like when that’s the right fix.
Signs your sewer line may be failing
- Drains that back up again after they’ve been cleared
- Gurgling toilets or drains, or several fixtures draining slowly at the same time
- Sewage odors inside the house or out in the yard
- Unusually green, soggy or sunken spots in the lawn
- Cracks, settling or foundation concerns near the line
- Mature trees close to the line, since roots are a common cause
None of these proves the line is broken, and any one of them can have a simpler cause. But two or three together are worth a look.
Why sewer lines fail around the Triad
Many homes in the area were built with clay, cast iron or fiber (Orangeburg) sewer pipe. Over the years those materials can crack, collapse, sag or let roots work in through the joints. Once that damage is there, repeated drain cleaning usually only buys time.
Step one: a camera inspection
Before we recommend replacing anything, we can run a camera through the line. It shows us the pipe material, cracks, root intrusion, sags and breaks, so you’re not guessing and neither are we. If the camera shows a problem a repair can handle, we’ll tell you that too. Plenty of customers are relieved to hear it.
What a replacement looks like
If the line does need to be replaced, here’s the usual path:
- You fill out the form on our Contact Us page and tell us what you’re seeing.
- We come out, look at it on site and inspect the line with a camera.
- You get a clear written estimate with the work explained. Estimates are subject to on-site inspection.
- We schedule the work and handle permits where the job requires them.
- We check the work and walk you through it before we leave.
From a recent Greensboro job
Here’s what that looks like on a real job. Our crew excavated down to the old line, laid a new PVC line in the trench next to the driveway, and added an elbow where the line needed to turn. We also brought a cleanout up to ground level, so the line can be reached later without digging it up again. When we finished, the cleanout cap sat flush in the landscaped bed.
Our crew excavating around the old line.
New PVC line in the trench next to the driveway.
An elbow where the line turns.
A cleanout riser makes the line reachable later.
The finished cleanout cap, flush in the landscaped bed.
Questions we hear a lot
How do I know it’s the sewer line and not just a clogged drain?
A clog usually affects one fixture. If several drains are slow at once, backups keep returning, or you notice odors or wet spots outside, the main line is a more likely suspect. A camera inspection lets us see the line and know for sure.
Can the line be repaired instead of replaced?
Sometimes. It depends on what the camera shows. If a repair will do the job, we’ll say so.
What will it cost?
It depends on things like the length of the line, how deep it is, and what’s in the way. We give you a written estimate after we’ve looked at it on site, so you know what you’re paying for before any work starts.
Talk to us
If you’re seeing any of these signs, the quickest way to get on our schedule is our Contact Us form. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll take it from there. Estimates are subject to on-site inspection.
You can also read more about our sewer line replacement service or browse our other plumbing services.
Custom Electric and Plumbing Inc · 8610 Keller Dr, Summerfield, NC 27358 · electricianorplumber.com
