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The cost of repairing or replacing a sewer line depends on the location of the damaged pipe, the pipe material, the extent of the damage, and the method required to complete the work. For most Houston homeowners, you can expect to invest between $3,500 and $7,500 for standard sewer line repairs.
More extensive projects involving under-slab access, long pipe runs, or surface restoration such as concrete driveways and sidewalks typically range from $7,500 to $15,000 or more, depending on pipe depth, accessibility, and whether trenchless methods like pipe lining or pipe bursting can be used.
Use our sewer line repair cost estimator below to get a personalized estimate. Whether you’re dealing with a collapsed pipe, root intrusion, corroded cast iron, or an offset joint, our estimator uses real service data from across the Houston area to give you accurate pricing—not generic national averages.
No two sewer line problems are identical, and neither are their costs. Here’s what influences your estimate:
Pipe Location
Where the damaged pipe sits plays a major role in project complexity. Pipes running through your yard are more accessible, while under-slab repairs require cutting through your foundation, and pipes beneath driveways or sidewalks add surface restoration costs.
Pipe Material
Older homes often have cast iron, clay tile, or Orangeburg pipes that are prone to deterioration. Modern PVC and ABS pipes hold up better but can still suffer from shifting soil or root intrusion. The material involved determines the best repair approach and overall cost.
Extent of Damage
A single offset joint or minor root intrusion may only require a few feet of repair. A fully collapsed or corroded line spanning 50+ feet demands complete replacement and significantly more labor and materials.
Repair Method Required
Minor damage may qualify for trenchless solutions like pipe lining or pipe bursting, which minimize excavation. Severe collapses or bellied pipes often require traditional dig-and-replace methods, which involve more labor, equipment, and surface restoration.
Surface Restoration
If the damaged pipe runs beneath a concrete driveway, sidewalk, patio, or other hardscape, those surfaces must be removed and replaced after the repair is complete. This adds material and labor costs that vary based on the type and size of the surface involved.
Access Points
Homes with accessible outside cleanouts make camera inspections and repairs more straightforward. If your cleanout is buried, damaged, or nonexistent, additional work may be needed before the repair can begin.
| Repair Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Spot Repair (Under 10 ft) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Trenchless Pipe Lining | $4,000 – $9,000 |
| Trenchless Pipe Bursting | $4,500 – $10,000 |
| Under-Slab Repair | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Yard Line Replacement | $3,500 – $8,000 |
| Full Sewer Line Replacement | $7,500 – $15,000+ |
| Surface Restoration (Concrete/Asphalt) | $1,000 – $3,500 |
Yard sewer line replacement costs Houston homeowners between $3,500 and $8,000 depending on the length of pipe, depth of the line, and the repair method used.
Root intrusion is the primary culprit in yard line failures. Tree and shrub roots seek out moisture and nutrients inside sewer pipes, working their way through joints and small cracks until they create major blockages or full pipe collapse.
Yard line replacements often cost less than under-slab repairs because the pipe is more accessible. However, deeper lines or pipes running beneath landscaping, sprinkler systems, or retaining walls add complexity and increase labor costs.
If your yard line is clay tile or Orangeburg, it may qualify for trenchless pipe bursting, which pulls a new pipe through the old one with minimal excavation. This method preserves your landscaping and reduces surface restoration costs compared to traditional trenching.
Keeping large trees and shrubs planted away from your sewer line path is the best way to prevent root intrusion. If you notice wet spots in your yard, unexplained lush patches of grass, or sewage odors outside, schedule a camera inspection before a minor root problem becomes a full line replacement.
Full sewer line replacement in Houston ranges from $7,500 to $15,000 or more depending on the length of the line, pipe material, depth, and the amount of surface restoration required.
Your main sewer line carries all wastewater from your home to the city connection. When it fails, the entire plumbing system is compromised. Warning signs include frequent backups across multiple fixtures, persistent sewage odors, foundation cracks near drain lines, and soggy or sunken spots in your yard.
Full replacements become necessary for several reasons: extensive root damage throughout the line, multiple collapsed or bellied sections, severely corroded cast iron that has deteriorated beyond spot repair, or Orangeburg pipe that has reached the end of its lifespan.
A full replacement involves removing and replacing the entire sewer lateral from your home’s foundation to the city sewer tap. Depending on your property, this may require excavation through landscaping, driveways, sidewalks, or foundation slabs. Surface restoration costs are factored into your total project estimate based on the materials that need to be removed and replaced.
If your home was built before 1980 and you’re experiencing recurring sewer problems, a camera inspection can reveal whether spot repairs will hold or if a full replacement is the more cost-effective long-term solution.
Understanding the difference between trenchless and traditional sewer line replacement helps you know what to expect—and why costs vary significantly between methods.
Trenchless Repair Cost: $4,000 – $10,000
Trenchless methods use your existing pipe as a guide to install a new or reinforced line with minimal excavation. Only one or two small access points are needed, usually at each end of the damaged section. Your landscaping, driveway, and sidewalks stay largely intact.
Trenchless works best for pipes with cracks, root intrusion, corrosion, or offset joints where the overall pipe structure is still holding its shape. Think of it like reinforcing from the inside—the old pipe stays in the ground while a new lining or replacement pipe takes over.
Traditional Dig-and-Replace Cost: $7,500 – $15,000+
Traditional replacement involves excavating a trench along the full length of the damaged pipe, removing the old line, and installing a brand new one. It requires more labor, equipment, and time but is the only option when pipes are fully collapsed, severely bellied, or too damaged for trenchless methods.
Traditional replacement is the more extensive solution but provides complete access to the line for thorough inspection and precise installation. For pipes with multiple failure points or total structural loss, dig-and-replace delivers the most reliable long-term result.
Our technicians recommend the appropriate method based on your camera inspection results—never upselling services you don’t need.
Several factors can increase your sewer line replacement cost beyond the base project price:
Pipe Depth (+$1,500 – $4,000)
Sewer lines buried deeper than 4 feet require more excavation, shoring for worker safety, and additional backfill material. The deeper the pipe, the more labor and equipment needed to reach it.
Surface Restoration (+$1,000 – $3,500)
If your sewer line runs beneath a concrete driveway, sidewalk, patio, or asphalt surface, those materials must be removed and replaced after the repair. Costs vary based on the type, thickness, and square footage of the surface involved.
Permit and Inspection Fees (+$200 – $500)
Most Houston sewer line replacements require a city permit and inspection. These fees are standard for any work involving your home’s connection to the municipal sewer system.
Camera Inspection (+$125 – $300)
A video camera inspection before and after the repair pinpoints the exact location and cause of the failure and confirms the new line is properly installed. This diagnostic step prevents surprises during excavation and verifies the quality of the finished work.
Cleanout Installation or Replacement (+$250 – $500)
If your home lacks an accessible outside cleanout or the existing one is damaged, installing a new one provides easy access for the repair and all future sewer line maintenance.
Tree or Landscaping Removal (+$300 – $1,500)
If trees, shrubs, or hardscaping sit directly over the damaged pipe, they may need to be removed to access the line. Costs depend on the size and number of obstacles in the work area.
Our technicians provide a detailed, transparent estimate that accounts for every factor specific to your property, no hidden costs or surprise charges after work begins.
Some clogs respond to a plunger or store-bought drain cleaner. Others require professional equipment. Here’s when to call for help:
Multiple Slow Drains When more than one fixture drains slowly, the clog is likely in a shared drain line or your main sewer—not something DIY methods can reach.
Recurring Clogs If the same drain clogs repeatedly despite your best efforts, there’s an underlying issue that temporary fixes won’t solve.
Complete Blockage Standing water that won’t drain at all needs professional clearing. The longer wastewater sits, the greater the risk of overflow and water damage.
Sewage Odors Foul smells from drains indicate either a dry P-trap (easy fix) or a clog allowing sewer gas to escape (needs professional attention).
Gurgling Sounds Gurgling from drains or toilets when other fixtures are used signals a venting problem or partial blockage in your drain system.
Water Backing Up Water coming up through floor drains, tubs, or showers when you flush or run the washing machine indicates a main line clog requiring immediate service.
That rental trencher or DIY pipe repair kit from the hardware store seems like a cost-saving solution, but it often creates bigger problems than it solves.
Improper Diagnosis
Without a camera inspection, there’s no way to know exactly what’s wrong or where the damage is located. Digging in the wrong spot wastes time and money, and can damage healthy pipe sections or other underground utilities like gas and water lines.
Code Violations
Sewer line work in Houston requires permits and inspections to meet city plumbing codes. Unpermitted repairs can result in fines, failed inspections during a home sale, and liability if the work causes damage to neighboring properties or the municipal sewer system.
Incomplete Repairs
Patching a single crack or replacing a short section without inspecting the full line often leads to repeat failures. If the rest of the pipe is deteriorating, a spot fix today becomes a full replacement tomorrow at a higher total cost than doing it right the first time.
Foundation and Property Damage
Excavating near your home’s foundation without proper shoring and technique risks structural damage. Under-slab work especially requires precision cutting and controlled removal to avoid compromising your foundation’s integrity.
Safety Hazards
Sewer line work exposes you to raw sewage, methane gas, and potential cave-in risks in deeper trenches. Professional crews carry the training, equipment, and insurance to handle these hazards safely.
Professional sewer line replacement costs more upfront than a DIY attempt, but it comes with proper diagnosis, code-compliant installation, warranty protection, and the peace of mind that the job is done right.
Prevention always costs less than emergency replacement. Here’s how the math works:
Reactive Approach
Emergency sewer line repair: $5,000 – $15,000+
Surface restoration for driveways or sidewalks: +$1,000 – $3,500
Foundation repair from prolonged leaks: +$3,000 – $10,000
Plus water damage cleanup, landscaping replacement, and weeks of disruption.
Preventive Approach
Annual camera inspection: $125 – $300
Preventive root treatment: $150 – $300
Periodic hydro jetting to clear buildup: $350 – $600
Total annual cost: $300 – $700
A single camera inspection can catch cracks, root intrusion, corrosion, and bellied sections years before they become full failures. Addressing a minor offset joint or early root growth now costs a fraction of what a collapsed pipe and emergency excavation will cost later.
Our preventive maintenance plans include annual camera inspections and scheduled cleaning of your main sewer line, keeping your system in top condition and catching small problems before they turn into five-figure emergencies.
General plumbers handle sewer repairs along with dozens of other services. Sewer line specialists focus on diagnosing, repairing, and replacing damaged sewer lines, delivering expertise and efficiency that generalists can’t match.
Right Equipment
We carry professional-grade camera inspection systems, trenchless lining and bursting equipment, and precision excavation tools on every job. No waiting for rentals or subcontractors. We arrive ready to solve your problem.
Accurate Diagnosis
Experience repairing thousands of sewer lines means we quickly identify the cause, location, and extent of your pipe failure and recommend the most effective and cost-efficient repair method.
Transparent Pricing
Our cost estimator shows you expected pricing before we begin any work. No surprise fees, no “discovered problems” that triple your bill, no pressure tactics.
Guaranteed Results
Every sewer line repair and replacement we perform is backed by a warranty on both materials and workmanship. If any issue arises with our work, we make it right at no additional charge.
Minimal Property Disruption
We prioritize trenchless methods whenever possible to protect your landscaping, driveway, and property. When excavation is required, our crews work efficiently and restore surfaces to pre-project condition.
Yes. A camera inspection identifies the exact location, cause, and extent of the damage. Without one, there is no way to recommend the correct repair method or provide an accurate estimate.
Most replacements take one to three days depending on pipe length, depth, and repair method. Trenchless repairs typically finish in one day while traditional excavation may take two to three days.