If you own a home, it’s inevitable that something will go wrong at some point. For example, if your sewer line breaks under the slab foundation of your home, you might be feeling overwhelmed. But don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it sounds! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how to repair a broken sewer line under your slab foundation.
First Things First: Assess the Damage
Before you do anything else, you need to figure out what is causing the break in your sewer line or if there even is one. Start by checking for any visible signs of damage on the exterior of your house or yard. These can include large cracks in the foundation or sewage backups in your drains and toilets. Once you’ve identified where the issue is coming from, you can start working on fixing it. If there’s no apparent sign of damage, you may not have to cut concrete or anything like that quite yet. A professional plumber can help you take the next steps to identify if the problem is a leak or just a clog.
Repairing Your Sewer Line When it’s Just Clogged
The most common method for repairing a sewer line under a slab foundation is to use an auger or “snake”—basically, a long metal cable with an attached cutting head that can be used to dig through dirt and break up clogs in pipes. That may be all you need if there is simply a clog and not an actual break in the pipe, which we’ll cover in the next section. Most plumbers have the equipment needed to make that call, including the auger and even a sewer camera for when it is necessary to have a visual inspection for cracks or damage to the pipe. Here’s 3 easy steps you can take if you suspect damage to the actual pipes.
3 Steps to Fixing an Actual Break in Your Line
Step 1: Locate the Break in the Line
The first step in fixing any plumbing problem is locating the source of the issue. In this case, that means finding where the break in your sewer line is. For this job, you’ll need access to your property’s sewer line—which likely runs through your basement or crawl space—as well as specialized equipment such as an electronic pipe locator and an inspection camera. These tools will help you pinpoint exactly where the break is located and what kind of repair it needs.
Step 2: Repair or Replace the Line
Once you’ve located the break in your sewer line, you’ll need to decide if it needs to be repaired or replaced entirely. Repairing a broken section of pipe is often less expensive than replacing it entirely; however, if there are multiple breaks or other damage to the pipe, then replacement may be necessary. It’s important to get professional advice so that you can make sure you make the right decision for your situation.
Step 3: Get Professional Help
Repairing or replacing a broken sewer line under a slab foundation requires special tools and expertise that most homeowners don’t have access to. This means that it’s usually best to call in professional help from an experienced plumber who has experience with this type of repair job. A professional plumber will know exactly what tools are needed and how to use them safely so that they can get your broken sewer line fixed up quickly and correctly without causing further damage or disruption at home.
Once the pipe has been exposed, they can remove it and replace it with new piping material. The new piping should be installed correctly so that there’s no chance of future leaking or blockages due to improper installation. After that’s done, they’ll need to fill in any holes created when accessing the pipe, as well as repair any damage caused by cutting into the concrete slab. This includes patching any cracked areas or filling in gaps with fresh concrete.
What’s the Cost to Replace Sewer Lines Under a Slab Foundation?
The cost for replacing a sewer line under your slab foundation depends on many factors such as the size and type of pipe used, how long it takes for them to access and repair it, and if there is any additional damage caused by accessing the pipes. However, according to HomeAdvisor estimates, most homeowners pay between $1,270-$4,780 for these types of jobs. Of course this price range could be higher depending on all of those factors mentioned earlier.
Fixing a broken sewage system under your slab foundation doesn’t have to be complicated! With careful research and knowledge about what needs done, coupled with professional help from an experienced plumber, anyone can fix their own broken sewers quickly and efficiently–without breaking their bank! So next time something goes wrong with your plumbing system beneath your house’s foundation, don’t panic–just remember these steps and get started on fixing it up! Good luck!
If you happen to be in central Alabama and you’re experiencing these issues, definitely reach out to us for an estimate! Birmingham Plumbing and Drainworks is a locally owned company that has been serving both residential and commercial clients in Birmingham and the surrounding areas for years. We offer a wide range of plumbing services, making us one of the few providers in the area that can meet your needs.
Our team is licensed, bonded, and insured to work in Alabama, and our owner takes pride in the quality of our work. You can expect prompt and professional services from us. We specialize in exterior plumbing including sewer line repair, gas line repair, gas line installation, and drain works. We also handle water heater installations, so if you’re looking to upgrade we can help!