Sewer Camera Inspection
Send a camera down the line before a repair, a purchase or a decision about a tree.
Plumbing service
Sewer Line Replacement in Westminster, CO
Replacement makes sense when the lateral is collapsed, badly offset or failing in many places. A camera inspection shows whether the whole run has to come out.
Call, describe the history of backups, and a contractor can explain what a replacement involves.
When replacement is the answer
- Collapsed or crushed pipeCannot be lined or jetted back into shape.
- Many failing jointsRepairs would chase the problem along the whole run.
- Pipe that sags over a long stretchStanding waste needs the grade corrected.
Open trench or trenchless
With open-trench work the crew excavates along the existing pipe, pulls it out and sets new pipe at the proper fall. It lets the crew fix grade and replace connections, and it suits short runs and open yards.
Trenchless methods pull a new pipe through the old one or burst the old line as the new one goes in. They disturb less lawn and hardscape, but they need access pits and are not suited to every ground condition.
Choosing the new pipe
PVC is the usual choice for a new lateral. It resists roots at the joints, stays smooth inside and is available in standard sizes. HDPE is used for pull-through methods because it is flexible and fused in one piece.
Your contractor should say which pipe the city will inspect and how deep it must be set.
In Westminster
Age and trees
Older lots in Westminster and the surrounding cities often have mature trees. Roots that have grown into a lateral over decades can crack a clay or fiber pipe from the inside.
If you are buying an older house, ask for a camera inspection of the lateral before closing. A replacement is easier to negotiate before you own the problem.
Cost
What goes into a lateral replacement quote
Replacements vary widely, so compare scopes and not just totals. The main factors are these.
Ask for the quote in writing with the method, the pipe material and what restoration is included.
The city connection
The lateral ends at the city main. Westminster owns the main under the street, so the work at the connection is coordinated with the utility and inspected.
The permit lists underground repair or replacement of sewer and water lines. Keep the final inspection record, since it proves the work was done to code.
Planning around the work
Expect the house to be without drains for part of a day or more. Plan for laundry, dishes and showers elsewhere, and ask how soon the connection is restored.
Mark sprinkler lines, fences and buried utilities before the crew arrives. Call 811 for locates, and ask the contractor who handles the request.
A word on timing
Replacement is planned work, not an emergency, unless the line has failed completely. If sewage is backing into the house, get the line cleared first and schedule the replacement once the house is safe.
Spring and fall are popular. Book ahead, and avoid digging in frozen ground when you can.
Preparing for a new lateral
Sewer Line Repair
Mend a cracked, root-choked or bellied lateral, either as a spot fix or a longer section.
Hydro Jetting
Blast grease, scale and roots off the pipe wall when a cable only punches a hole through the clog.
Common questions
Answers about sewer replacement
A camera inspection shows the extent of damage. A single break can be repaired, while a collapsed, sagging or widely cracked pipe usually calls for replacement.
Many jobs take a few days, though depth, length and inspections change that. Ask for a schedule that includes the permit and the final inspection.
Usually not, though you will lose drain use for part of the work. Plan ahead for showers, dishes and laundry.
The owner maintains the lateral from the house to the city main. The city owns the main beneath the street.
Digging out a lateral is scheduled work, yet a line that is overflowing today can be reported at once, and the dispatcher arranges the urgent clearing before the larger job.
Is your sewer lateral failing?
Call and describe the backups and any camera findings. A contractor can explain whether replacement is the right next step.