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SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
  Diagnosing a Blocked Drain
  When to Call a Plumber
  How to Locate the Main Building Drain
  How to Use a Power Snake on Building Drains
  How to Find Distance to Drain Blockage
  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
  Sewer or Septic Line Installation at Steep Sites
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Photograph of restored property after sewer line replacement.

Guide to Final Site Work after Sewer Line Replacement
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Step by step main drain line replacement, house to septic tank (or sewer)

Final site restoration guide after sewer or septic pipe replacement

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This article describes the final steps in site restoration work after a building sewer pipe or "drain line" is replaced. 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.

Final seeding and soil restoration after sewer line replacement

The contractor agreed to remove the old concrete sidewalk that had been a long-standing slip-trip hazard down this hill. Having them cart off those chunks of concrete was a bonus to the job.

We also asked the contractor to leave the final fill mounded slightly "high" over the areas of sewer line trench excavation,so that as the backfill settled we wouldn't see a ditch running down the property.

As soon as the contractors and their backhoe left the site, we scouted up an iron rake, picked out the big rocks and scraps of old orangeburg pipe or clay pipe that had been left, and removed the large rocks.

We put down a mix of fast-growing seed as well as permanent grass seed and kept the site watered. If we'd been in a rainy season we'd have also needed to put down straw or fabric to keep our seed from washing off of the hill.

In less than two weeks our muddy work site was beginning to look like a grassy lawn again. Having used durable, smooth-interior, hubless plastic drain line piping and having made the connections tight we expect the new waste line between this house and its septic tank to remain intact for many years.

Having tight leak proof drain lines not only is required for sanitation, it also avoids attracting invading tree roots.

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SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
  Diagnosing a Blocked Drain
  When to Call a Plumber
  How to Locate the Main Building Drain
  How to Use a Power Snake on Building Drains
  How to Find Distance to Drain Blockage
  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

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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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