Like us, you have probably noticed numerous front lawns that have been dug up to repair or replace the home’s sewer line. Having known several people who have had this kind of work done, we wanted to investigate the cause of these expensive repairs.
SEE IMPORTANT HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE NOTE AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE

Sewer line failures are typically caused by tree roots or leaks in the sewer line. Up until the mid to late 70's, sewer lines throughout the country were made up of 2 foot sections of clay tile pipes. These sections were joined together with oakum and cement. Over the years, settling and natural deterioration causes the joints to weaken and sometimes fail. If gaps form, nearby tree roots can enter the joints and can flourish inside the moist pipes. The roots grow into spider weblike nests that restrict the flow and catch debris as it passes. This problem can be fixed by rodding the sewer lines to sever the roots, but this is only a temporary fix, as the roots will simply regrow.

Another problem caused by joint failure is the leaking of water from the joints into the surrounding earth. This can erode the soil into cavities creating a higher likelihood of the clay pipe collapsing. If this happens, there is no solution other than replacing the line.

Ray Rubio, owner of the Mount Prospect based R.O.R. Superior Heating/Air Conditioning and Plumbing company offers a few tips in the event you find yourself in this position.
Never proceed with any major work without getting several estimates. As you might expect, the inability to dispose of wastewater and sewage create some challenging living conditions. This adds to the urgency of getting the problem resolved quickly. Rubio cautions that this urgency can create an opportunity for unscrupulous contractors to take advantage of the situation by ultimately selling you a larger (and more expensive) repair than you bargained for.

Rubio suggests having your sewer line videotaped. This procedure involves sending a snakelike cable through your sewer line with a miniature camera at its tip. The resulting footage is a guided tour through your sewer line. Not only will it reveal problem spots, but it will also help confirm the route your sewer line takes once it exits the foundation. Rubio notes “The “sewer-cam” procedure typically costs $85 to $150 depending upon the length of the line, but the unscrupulous plumbers might suggest that this high-tech procedure costs as much as $400.”

A misconception that Rubio points out is that many people assume that once a price is agreed upon and the work starts, they are obligated to follow through with any additional repairs suggested by the contractor that might increase the cost of the project. Rubio suggests that additional necessary repairs suggested after the work begins should be confirmed by additional estimates. You are not obligated to pay for work not previously agreed to. This is a common characteristic of this type of repair and most contractors will warn you “they won’t know for sure what they will find until they start digging.”

“Sewer line replacement can range from $1,800 to $5,000 depending on the distance being replaced,” says Rubio. The homeowner is responsible for the sewer line up to the point where it enters the village sewer system that typically runs down the center of the street. This is not always the case. The village sewer line that you and your neighbors feed into sometimes lies beneath the parkway on one side of the street or even down your rear property line. Depending on how your house is laid out, your sewer line may exit the side or even the rear of your house. Where it goes from there is often a mystery. You can find out where it goes by contacting the village and asking them where their sewer lies for your block. If you must replace your sewer line all the way to the village sewer and that sewer runs under the parkway across your street, you had better sit down before they tell you the cost. Digging up the street and repairing it is expensive due to the thickness and materials that must be used and can drive the cost of replacement well beyond $5,000.

Another little-known fact is that Mount Prospect homes built before 1959 have an inline septic tank. These concrete cylindrical tanks were installed to lessen the amount of solid waste that entered the village sanitary sewer system. The sewer line exiting this tank is higher than the incoming line allowing heavier solids to sink to the bottom. These tanks were designed to be pumped out about every 10 years. Because of the infrequency of maintenance, the tanks were simply covered with dirt and sod. For this reason, few people know they have one. If sewer line replacement becomes necessary, the village requires that the septic tank be removed. This can add another $1,000 - $2,000 to the cost of repair.

Rubio adds, “Having a village permit will not protect you from overpaying. The village cannot make contractor recommendations and does not get involved with cost issues. Their involvement is limited to assuring that the work is done according to the village building code.” The best protection against overpaying is to get several estimates and let the companies know that any variations from the original bid will be investigated before proceeding.

Rubio points out that the northeast part of Mount Prospect is served by Citizens Utilities - a nationwide company that owns and maintains many sewer lines around the country. If you are served by Citizens Utilities, you are liable for only part of your sewer line. You should contact them before calling for sewer service (630) 739-8810 or (800) 942-2481.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Check with your insurance agent to determine if sewer problems are covered by your homeowner's insurance policy. Some companies/policies do cover it. This would be valuable coverage to have, and might even warrant a change in insurance companies in order to secure it.