Underground Pipe Repair vs. Replacement: What It’ll Cost You
Both residential and commercial entities have sewer pipes or drain pipes, and in most cases, both which run underground, taking water away from facilities to their respective treatment centers or tributaries.
But these underground pipes are not immune to problems, and if issues aren’t resolved in a timely fashion, it could result in extensive flooding, property damage, and even a biohazard situation in the event of a sewer line backup.
When it comes to underground pipes, there are two key ways to resolve issues: repair it or replace it. The severity of the situation, the location of any excavation, cost and several other factors can help you decide which route to pursue.
What is the Cost of Underground Pipe Repair?
Generally speaking, underground pipe repair is the more affordable option. However, many non-invasive and more routine repairs are only temporary and often need to be made routinely to avoid further issues.
Sewer line repair prices are typically more expensive, and normally cost more than $2,000 for pipes that require extensive repairs.
What’s more is pipe repair can be invasive and require excavation in the case of a broken pipe.
This may not just involve excavation of land, but pavement, landscaping and more. Some companies specialize in trenchless drain repair, which involves relining damaged pipe. Though costly – it typically ranges anywhere from $80 to $250 per foot – it’s an effective repair minus the mess.
Pipe relining is also a long-term repair solution. Pipe bursting is another trenchless solution, though it’s more costly than relining. Both practices are typically warrantied for up to 50 years.
What is the Cost of Underground Pipe Replacement?
Pipes degrade over time. In fact, the typical cast iron pipes that most sewer and drain lines are made from last anywhere from 80 to 100 years before rust and the freeze/thaw cycle do their thing.
If relining or pipe bursting repairs aren’t viable options, the next best solution is excavating land to perform pipe replacement.
As we mentioned earlier, excavation can be expensive (though it’s not as expensive as the aforementioned trenchless repairs) and invasive, especially if more than just grass and dirt needs to be removed to get to the affected area.
When you combine this with replacement costs, underground pipe replacement has the potential to cost tens of thousands of dollars– and that may not even consider any repaving or landscaping that is required after the job is finished.
The good news, however, is that when this full-blown replacement occurs, you’re investing in a long-term solution that’s not likely to fail again in your lifetime.
Talk Candidly with Your Contractor
When it comes to repairing or replacing underground pipe, it’s first important to know the severity of the issue. Then, you need to understand your options to make an educated decision on the practice that works best for you and your situation.