Sewer Line Repair / Sewer Line Replacement
Sewer line replacement in Beverly, MA
Sewer line replacement puts a new pipe in the ground where the old one has failed. It is the right call when a pipe is collapsed, sagging or worn out along most of its length.
When replacement beats repair
Replace the line when repairs keep coming back or the camera shows damage along much of the pipe. A single bad spot is usually a repair. A pipe that is failing everywhere is a replacement.
- The pipe has collapsed or is crushed in more than one place
- The camera shows a belly, where the pipe sags and holds water
- The line is Orangeburg, which flattens with age
- Cast iron or clay pipe is cracked, rusted through or full of offset joints
- Root problems return after cutting or jetting
If you are not sure, start with a sewer line camera inspection. It shows what you have before you spend money.
What we replace in older Beverly homes
The pipe under your yard depends on when your house was built. Each older material fails in its own way.
Clay pipe replacement
Common in homes built before 1940. Clay is brittle and has many joints, so roots find their way in. Soil movement cracks it.
Cast iron pipe replacement
Used in older homes. Cast iron rusts from the inside and flakes. It can crack or collapse without much warning.
Orangeburg pipe replacement
Found in many homes from the 1950s. It is tar paper pressed into a tube. It softens, flattens and collapses.
What sewer line replacement includes
Full line replacement
We remove the failed pipe and install new PVC SDR 35 pipe from the house to the street line connection.
Excavation
Digging is how most full replacements are done. We plan the trench path to protect trees, walks and plantings where we can.
Belly repair
A belly is a low spot where the pipe has sunk and holds water and waste. We dig it out and set new pipe at the right slope.
Cleanout installation
A cleanout is a capped access pipe. It lets a camera or cleaning tool reach the line without opening a drain inside the house.
The replacement process, step by step
Camera inspection
We confirm the pipe type, the damage and the path of the line.
Plan the dig
We map the path of the line and plan the trench to protect trees, walks and plantings.
Trench and new pipe
We open the trench, remove the old pipe and set new pipe on a gravel bed at the correct slope.
Test and backfill
We confirm the line flows, then backfill the trench.
What sewer line replacement costs
Published estimates for the Boston area run from $50 to $250 per linear foot. The national average for a full replacement is about $6,000.
Your price depends on the length of the line, the depth, what is above it, and the pipe type. A long run under a driveway or old trees costs more than a short run through open lawn. We give you a price after the camera inspection. For a full breakdown, read our Beverly sewer line replacement cost guide.
Sewer line replacement questions
How long does sewer line replacement take?
It depends on how long and deep the line is and what is above it. A short, shallow line takes less time than a long, deep one. We give you a schedule after the camera inspection.
Does homeowners insurance cover sewer line replacement?
Often not. Many standard policies leave out damage from wear and age. Some offer add on coverage for sewer backup or service lines. Call your insurance company and ask before work starts.
Trenchless or traditional sewer line replacement, which is better?
It depends on the pipe. Trenchless methods like pipe bursting need little digging, but they will not fit every line. Digging works on almost any line. See our trenchless page for the details.
Will you need to dig up my yard?
A full dig replacement opens a trench along the line. We plan the path to protect trees, walks and plantings where we can. Trenchless options reduce digging if your pipe qualifies.
Sewer line trouble in Beverly? Call Harborline.
Tell us what you see. We start with a camera so you know what is wrong before you decide on a fix.