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Sewer Line Replacement Procedure When, how, and why to replace a buried drain line between a house and septic tank InspectAPedia®  -     Guide to how to diagnose a blocked main building drain How to determine that a sewer line needs replacement Step by step main drain line replacement, house to septic tank (or sewer) How to document the location of buried plumbing & septic components Final site restoration guide after sewer or septic pipe replacement

This article describes when, where, how, and why a sewer pipe or "drain line" is replaced. The line which was replaced in this photo-illustrated case runs from the building exterior to a septic tank located downhill from the home.

We present an actual case study, illustrated with photos of each step in the diagnosis and replacement of a blocked sewer line. The waste line in this case was found to be blocked, damaged, old, and needing replacement in the course of an attempt to clear a blocked drain between the house and septic tank. Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References."

This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems. Also see Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains.

Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. © Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Diagnosing the Cause of a Blocked Building Drain or Sewer Line

The first signs of a drain problem How to diagnose slow drains & toilet backups: The first signs of a drain problem was the report by our tenant that the toilet was slow to flush in the home. Is the slow drainproblem at a fixture, the whole building, or main drain? Following our own advice on diagnosing clogged drains and how to distinguish a clogged drain from a failed septic system (online at Diagnosing Clogged Drains & Septic System Backups we asked if all the drains in the home were slow or just the toilet. The answer: all of the drains were slow. The toilet would show the most dramatic blockage because it sends a large sudden discharge volume of water and waste into the sewer line. We flushed the toilet and watched the water rise right up to the bowl brim. (If the toilet had begun to overflow we'd have reached inside the tank to manually close the tank flapper valve to stop the flush.) Though not optimistic that it would make any difference, we tried plunging the toilet aggressively with a manual toilet plunger. It didn't help. Plunging the toilet made no difference. We already suspected a main drain or system problem (all drains were slow). So we needed a plumber to help with further diagnosis of the drain blockage. [Continue this article using the links shown below.]

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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

 GUIDE TO SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
  Diagnosing a Blocked Drain
  When to Call a Plumber
  Determining Need for Replacement
  Replacing the Sewer Line, Step by Step
  Making Other Septic Repairs
  Installing the new sewer line
  Bedding the sewer line in Sand
  Final Backfill of the Sewer Line Trench
  Documenting Buried Components
  Final seeding and soil restoration

• Thanks to Thomas Gleason, excavators, Poughkeepsie, NY 845-454-3730, for the excavating work at the project photo documented here in September 2006
• Thanks to Cleveland Plumbing, the prime plumbing contractor, Staatsburgh, NY 845-485-7700 for the plumbing work and drain clog diagnosis work documented here in September 2006

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains - key step in septic repair
• HOW TO FIND A SEPTIC TANK
• DRAINFIELD LOCATION GUIDE
• SEPTIC VIDEOS assist in locating septic system or sewer line components
  
  
• The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
• Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
• The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
• Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
• What is a Septic System An Engineer's View & Septic System FAQ's
• Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment

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