Sewer repairs are often the result of age, weather, and damage to the sewer line from your home or business. If you are experiencing drain problems, then it’s time to reach out to the reliable and friendly sewer line repair experts at Summit Drain. With more than 15 years of experience, we are the trusted sewer line replacement service provider for the region of Ottawa.
Sewer and Drain Line Repair Services
Customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We make sure that all our sewer pipe replacement services are done right the first time. Before we begin work we do a complete evaluation of your drain system using the latest camera inspection technology. This allows us to get a detailed picture of what is causing your pipe issues so we can do the right sewer line repair. Once we know what the cause of the problem is, we can begin work. In most cases, repairs require excavating the area around the lines. Once we have gained access, the sewer pipe repair can begin.
The sewer replacement is coordinated by experienced project managers who understand the importance of protecting your property’s landscaping. This may include doing trenchless sewage pipe repair which has minimal impact on your greenspace.
Main Drain Replacement
Causes of Sewer Line Problems
Sewer replacement is usually an unplanned event. Clogs and damage can form underground, causing a sudden break or crack in the sewer line. The most common reasons for sewer replacement are:
Drain age and usage over time can cause pipes to wear and crack over time. If you live in a home that is more than 50 years old, it may be time for a pipe inspection to prevent costly damage to your home.
Grease, food, and other debris can cause sewer pipes to clog and back up into your home. Always make sure to never pour anything down a drain other than water.
As trees grow and mature, their root systems can clog and crack sewer drains.
As temperatures fluctuate, sewer pipes expand and contract which can lead to burst pipes.
Our professional plumbers can pinpoint any risk factors that could lead to pipe damage so you can prevent possible clogs and leaks in the future.
24/7 Emergency Plumbing Services in Ottawa
Fast and reliable emergency plumbing service Ottawa is available 24/7 because some plumbing issues cannot wait.
If you notice these signs in your home, you could have a broken sewer pipe. Before there are any further damages to your home, give us a call. We’re here to help.
Flooded or smelly yard
If your yard becomes flooded, that could mean you have a broken sewer pipe. A burst pipe can create a pool of water on your lawn and may even smell like sewage.
Difficult drainage
If several draining areas of the home have problems, there could be a clog in your main sewer line. One key red flag to watch out for is a toilet that makes gurgling noises when flushed.
Water damage in the house
The spread of mould on the floors or walls or your basement could initiate a drain leak or break in your home.
Underground Sewer Line Repair Prices
There are different factors that will determine the exact price of underground sewer line repair in Ottawa and the surrounding areas. We need to take into account the age of the house, the material of the sewer line, concrete thickness, and more.
On average, price starts at $250 per ft and can range up to $350 per ft.
Measurement Low High
Low
High
5 feet
$1,250
$1,750
10 feet
$2,500
$3,500
20 feet
$5,000
$7,000
On average, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $1,250 for a short line to $25,000 for a longer line. Main drain camera inspection – $350 Video report by client request – $150 (in addition to main drain camera inspection)
Replacing A Sewer Line Running From House To Street
For 30 feet of outside and underground sewer lines, also considering the time of year, type of soil, and several other factors, you could pay anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000 on average. If you need sewer line replacement during winter, there may be additional costs involved.
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair Under Slab
Trenchless sewer liner repair under the slab starts at $250 per ft. Excavating the basement to expose the drain line costs $1,700. From the basement to the city property line, to break concrete costs $1,700. On average, a 10 ft underground trenchless sewer line repair can start at $4,500. These costs depend on a variety of factors such as season, concrete thickness, age of house, material of sewer line etc. Prices may be subject to change.
Getting rid of intrusive tree roots from a sewer line depends on the method you choose. Snake line service – $450. Hydro jet – $550. These prices do not include the cost of the main drain camera inspection.
Clogs
Using a snake or auger to clean a sewer clean can cost between $300 and $600 while using a hydrojet could cost up to $1,100.
Breaks or Cracks
Repairing a cracked sewer line buried outside can cost between $1,100 and $4,000. That price is between $75 and $500 per linear foot.
Line Collapse
If you have a collapsed line, expect to pay anywhere between $55 and $250 per square foot. If the line collapse is inside your property, it will need to be replaced by hand and may be subject to additional fees.
Sewer Line Repair and Sewer Line Replacement Options
When you have a broken sewer pipe in need of repair there are two main options plumbers may use to carry out the fix. After a camera inspection and consulting the homeowner, we will typically recommend either of the following:
Pipe lining
For pipes that are minimally damaged, we can insert an epoxy-covered inflatable tube into your line, known as pipe lining. Once inserted, the epoxy hardens and covers up the leak.
Pipe bursting
If the sewer line is too damaged for pipe lining, we may suggest trenchless repair which is when we insert a special drill bit through the old line. The bit destroys the old line and instantly replaces it with a new line as it works through your system. This costs more money and takes more time, but doesn’t require excavation.
Note that if there is too much damage to the sewer system, digging a trench and major excavation may be your only option.
Factors Impacting the Cost of Sewer Line Replacement or Repair
1
Length of Line
The length of your line affects cost because of material amounts, labour costs and how much time the project will take to complete.
2
Obstructions
If your yard has multiple concrete slabs, fences, structures and trees to contend with, this will elevate your costs.
3
The Extent of Problems
A small, localized repair won’t cost too much or take too much time, but extensive damage could be a multi-day job and that gets more expensive.
4
Cleaning and Restoration
A serious sewer leak could lead to health hazards in your home or backyard, specifically if there’s a backup. Professional cleaning and extra precautions may add cost to your total.
Tips to Protect Your Sewer Lines
Nobody can ensure total sewer protection forever, but there are some steps you can take to ensure durability:
Sewer line inspections: For a small fee each year, we can investigate your system and catch any small problems before they can turn into costlier issues.
Tree removal: Stop roots from invading your sewer line before they have a chance to start. Consult with us about which trees should be removed from your yard to minimize risk.
Proper sewer system usage: Only flush human waste and toilet paper. Do not flush other hygiene products, baby wipes or kitchen grease.
Pros and Cons of Sewer Line Repair
Pros
Improve the system: New pipes can reduce the risk of clogging and improve drainage.
Reduce maintenance: Replaced sewer lines need less work than older ones.
Increase home value: An updated and maintained sewer system looks good to prospective buyers.
Cons
High cost: Replacing your sewer lines can be an expensive home project.
Time-consuming: In some cases, a major sewer line replacement can take several days.
Unforeseen problems: Once excavation begins, other problems may be discovered that add time and cost to the project.
FAQs:
Several factors determine the cost of sewer replacement. The most affordable option is a trenchless repair which requires little digging. Most of the cost associated with sewer replacement is not the materials and machinery required to make repairs, but the lawn damage, uprooting, and landscaping that occurs. Homeowner insurance does not always cover the post of sewer line repair so it is important to check with your provider.
Barring unforeseen factors such as tree root obstruction, a clay sewer line could last up to 60 years, while a cast-iron or ABC/PVC line could last up to 100 years.
If your cast iron pipes are rusting and breaking down, it’s recommended to swap it out for PVC as cast iron repairs are more expensive.
Broken sewer pipes can release toxic fumes into the air which can be extremely harmful to the home occupants’ health.
It’s very unlikely that home insurance will cover a broken sewer line unless it’s damaged through human error, for example, by neighbours doing construction.
This happens when the shower’s P-trap has emptied of water or it could be a sign that your drain is clogged.
If your sewer line is clogged, a flushed toilet will allow contaminated air and fumes to enter the home.
If there are blocked drains, empty P-traps from evaporation or a sewer clog, this will make your home smell like sewer sometimes.
Contact Summit Drain & Plumbing Today
For expert sewer line repair in Ottawa, contact the team that people trust to provide fast and friendly repair service. We stand behind our commitment to provide the highest level of professionalism, punctuality, and price. We offer standard and 24/7 emergency services. Summit Drain & Plumbing offers years of knowledge and experience that you can rely on to ensure your repair work is done right. Contact us today for a free estimate (not including camera inspection) or consultation.
A main sewer line blockage can cause water to backup in random places. For instance, you run your washing machine and notice your sink overflowing – this can be a clear sign that you have a clogged drain line.
If you have ruled out a potential sewer drain clog, you can rinse your sewer drain by flushing it with water. When you flush your lines, try adding a bit of drain cleaner to the water. A great place to flush your sewer line is the toilet – a larger amount of water and drain cleaner can enter your system quickly and easily. Unfortunately, if you do this when you have a clog, it can cause backup and potential flooding – if this is the case, clear the clog first.
You should generally know if your sewer line is blocked with slow drainage. The purpose of the sewer line is to take all the water drainage away from your house via sinks, bathtubs or toilets – if you find that there is slower drainage in one drain then you can essentially clear that yourself using a drain snake or a plunger.
There is confusion regarding when you are responsible for sewer line repair. While some may believe that the homeowner is only responsible for repairing the part of the line that’s on their property, this is not the case. Sewer lines consist of multiple sections, the upper lateral, lower lateral and the main line. The city is only responsible for repairing the main sewer line.
If issues with the main sewer line cause damage to your lower lateral, which is most likely where the damage would generally first start – the city would repair this damage when they work on the main sewer line. Unfortunately, if there is backup and flooding on your property from the main sewer line, then the city would not be responsible. It is best to follow up with the city to see if they will repair any damage in these cases.
Unpleasant smells coming from your drains is indicative of sewer line issues and damage. You should always take these types of smells seriously as it could be toxic fumes slowly releasing from the sewer below into your home.
There are a number of ways to clear a slow drain using products found around the home:
Bent Wire – If you do not have a drain snake, you can try using a stiff wire – like one from a clothes hanger, leaving the hook to enter pipes and pull out any clogs. Try to make sure you don’t push debris further into the pipe.
Homemade Flush – Mixing baking soda and vinegar can dissolve any materials that are potentially clogging your drain pipes. This is a good and much safer alternative to store-bought chemical cleaners.
Toilet Plunger – Like plunging a toilet, you can try using this on your drains. Using a plunger on your drains can help get things moving by using suction. This should be enough to fix any mild blockages.
Aged drain pipes are at risk for corrosion which can lead to breaks. Summit Drain has both the technology and expertise to fix this if necessary.
Yes. Drain pipes are durable, but not meant to last forever. If you live in an older home in Ottawa, most likely the pipes are made from copper and can collapse in this day and age.
When it comes to a collapsed drain, call Summit Drain. We use trenchless technology to replace sewer pipes made from original materials without ruining your property.
Rock salt Rock salt helps by removing moisture from the roots, which in turn kills them. Two lbs should do the trick, pour 1 down the toilet. Flush until gone. And repeat with the next. Then leave for 12 hours and don’t run any water.
Foaming root killers Another effective way to treat roots in pipes is with foaming root killers. Pour powder into toilet and flush. It will foam upon contact with water. Not only does it help dissolve current roots, but also helps to protect against future ones.
Copper sulfate Copper sulfate is another good option. Available at most hardware stores, pour roughly half a cup into toilet and flush until gone. Leave the home and take all pets and family members along. This is a toxic substance and banned in some places.
Should I replace old pipes? There does come a time where it makes sense to replace your pipes. Over time they crack and corrode. It is recommended to begin routine inspections once your home reaches 50 years in age. For plumbing Services in and around the Ottawa area, nobody does it like Summit Drain.
