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SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
GUIDE TO 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
HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
SEPTIC INSPECTION TYPES & LEVELS
TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
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TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
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Photograph of installing plastic sewer drain line piping

Sewer Line Replacement Procedure - Installing the New Sewer Line
SepticAPedia ^©

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

Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.

This article describes how the new sewer line is installed when a 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. 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 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

Guide to installing the replacement sewer pipe line

Safety of occupants and neighbors during excavation for sewer line repairs

When the plumbers left the site we had created a hole which was a trip hazard to folks who might cross the yard.

While our immediate makeshift hazard indicators (nearby wood fence scraps and a laundry basket) was amateur and insecure, at least we had an immediate visual indicator that there was something here to watch out for.

We then went in search for some more sturdy materials to cover the hole until further repair work could begin.

During excavation, when the excavators had to leave the site between job stages, the site was also marked-off with yellow hazard tape tied to sticks.

Also amateur but successful at warning people about the risk of falling into a ditch.

Installing the replacement sewer line

Installing and connecting the new drain sections

Sections of the new drain were laid along the trench for installation, cut to length at either end, and then connected together. Note the grease used to slip the sections of drain pipe together.

At the up-hill house end, we connected the new drain line to the existing stub of cast iron sewer line outside of the house foundation wall. This avoided the cost and trouble of having to break through the foundation wall to install a new line into the home, and avoided possible damage to the nearby heating boiler.

The rubber coupling used to connect the two drains leaked and had to be re-connected.

These couplings work fine, durably, and reliably provided the pipes they connect are lined up carefully. An askew pipe connection is more likely to leak.

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
  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
  Final seeding and soil restoration
  Sewer or Septic Line Installation at Steep Sites

Technical Reviewers

Particular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material.

Daniel Friedman - principal author
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
Technical reviewers are invited to comment or ask questions - contact us

More Information on Septic System Diagnosis, Maintenance, & Repair

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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