How to repair a broken sewer line

The short answer: a broken sewer line is a repair for a contractor, not a weekend job. The usual path is a camera inspection to find the break, then one of three fixes: a short dig to replace the damaged section, a liner inside the old pipe, or a full replacement. In the City of Los Angeles the work needs a permit. Our guide to sewer line repair plumbers covers how that work is scoped. What follows is how the repair actually happens, and what you can do while you wait.

How do you know your sewer line is broken?

The usual signs are slow drains in several fixtures, gurgling, a sewer smell in the house or yard, soggy patches or sinkholes in the lawn, and sewage backing up in the lowest drain. One of these alone may be a clog. Several together, or a clog that returns soon after clearing, point to damage in the pipe.

Four signs worth taking seriously:

• Repeat backups. The drain clears, then clogs again within weeks, even after cleaning.
• Wet or sunken ground. A patch of lawn that stays soggy, or ground that has dropped along the path of the line.
• A smell outside. Sewer odor near the cleanout or along the line when there is no backup.
• Roots. A camera shows roots coming in at a joint, which means the pipe has already opened.

The only way to be sure is a camera inspection. A camera shows whether the line is cracked, offset, separated at a joint, sagging or crushed, and how far down the line the damage sits. See sewer camera inspection for what the visit involves.

What happens when a sewer line breaks?

When a sewer line breaks, wastewater either backs up into the house or leaks out into the soil. Both are problems. A leak washes soil into the pipe and leaves a void, which can grow into a sinkhole, while a backup puts sewage in your home. Roots and debris often enter at the break and make a clog.

Where the damage tends to happen:

• At joints. Older clay pipe comes in small sections, and each joint is a place for roots to enter or the pipe to shift.
• Under driveways and trees. Load and roots both stress the line.
• At old pipe material. Orangeburg, a fiber pipe common until the 1970s, breaks down early. Clay and cast iron also crack and corrode with age. These materials turn up in older Los Angeles homes.

If you suspect a break, cut back on water use, which means fewer showers, no laundry and no dishwasher. Do not pour chemical cleaners in. Get the line looked at before more soil moves.

How is a broken sewer line repaired?

A broken sewer line is repaired in one of three ways: a spot repair, where a short trench exposes the damaged section and a new piece is joined in; a liner, which seals the inside of the old pipe; or a replacement, either by trench or by pipe bursting. The camera result decides which one fits.

How the options compare:

See how trenchless sewer repair works for the two no-dig methods step by step, and pipe lining versus replacement if you are deciding between them. A bellied section, where the pipe has sunk and water sits in it, usually needs a section replaced, because a liner follows the shape that is already there.

Can you repair a broken sewer line yourself?

Cutting out and replacing a short section on your own property is physically possible, but it is not a sensible DIY project in Los Angeles. Repair work on a sewer lateral generally needs a permit. Digging needs a DigAlert notice, and a poorly set joint can leak for years before anyone sees it.

The reasons to hire:

• Permits. Repairs on a private sewer line in the City of Los Angeles are generally permitted through the Department of Building and Safety, and work in the street or sidewalk through the Bureau of Engineering. Check the current rules with the city.
• Digging rules. California requires notice to 811 or DigAlert at least two working days before you dig, and the service is free.
• Contractor license. Contractors who do plumbing work for pay in California hold a C-36 license, and you can look up any contractor's license number on the Contractors State License Board site.
• Responsibility. The owner of a City of Los Angeles property is responsible for the full private lateral, street portion included.

Unpermitted work can complicate a sale, a buyer's inspection, and an insurance claim. The safe DIY role is the early part: watch for signs, limit water, and take a camera recording to the contractor.

How much does it cost to repair a broken sewer line, and how do you hire for it?

Costs depend on the method, the length, the depth and whether the street is involved. Published California guides put full sewer line replacement from several thousand dollars up to $25,000 or more, with a spot repair costing far less. Get two or more written estimates and compare the method and scope, not just the price.

What to ask when you hire:

• What did the camera show? Ask for the recording, with the location of the break.
• What is the method, and why? A spot repair, a liner and a replacement are different jobs.
• Is the permit included? Who pulls it, and who pays for it?
• What does the price cover? Digging, restoration, concrete or landscaping, camera follow-up.
• Is the price firm, or does it change if they find more damage?

Repair rebates exist. LA Sanitation has offered rebates toward a sewer lateral camera inspection and toward repairs done by a qualifying sewer contractor. Amounts and rules change, so check the current terms with LA Sanitation before you book.

For typical ranges, see sewer line repair cost. Once you have a camera recording, ask for a written estimate here and we'll arrange for a local plumber to go through the options with you. The home page has the rest of the process.

Questions people ask

How long does a sewer line repair take?

A short spot repair can be done in a day. A liner or pipe bursting job often takes a day or two, and a full trench replacement longer, depending on length and restoration. The permit and scheduling come first and can take longer than the work. Ask for a timeline in writing.

Will homeowners insurance pay for a broken sewer line?

Often not. Standard policies tend to exclude wear, tear and roots, and sewer backup cover is usually an add-on. Read your own policy and ask your insurer before work starts. See whether homeowners insurance covers sewer line replacement for the common pattern.

Do I need a permit to repair a sewer line in Los Angeles?

In the City of Los Angeles, repairs on a private sewer lateral generally need a permit, and work in the street or sidewalk needs a separate public works permit. The contractor normally pulls it. Confirm with the city's building department, since rules and fees change.

Can I keep using water with a broken sewer line?

Only as little as you have to. Every flush and shower adds wastewater to a pipe that is already leaking or about to back up. If sewage is coming into the house, stop using water and call for help. See emergency sewer line repair for urgent cases.