On average, the cost of replacing sewer lines in Toronto varies widely based on various factors such as the materials used, the length of the sewer line that needs replacing, and more. The costs are calculated by linear foot.
The cost of minor or localized sewer line repairs starts at $650. Extensive replacements, like replacing about 30 feet of your sewer line, could cost you up to $10,000. On average, sewer line replacement costs range from $4,000 to $4,500.
Sewer Line Replacement Cost Breakdown
If you own a home, you must maintain every part of it, including the sewer system. Here’s the cost breakdown for sewer line replacement in Toronto.
- Average cost: $4,000
- Highest possible cost: $25,000
- Lowest cost: $650
These cost estimates vary based on various factors. For minor sewer line fixes, Toronto homeowners can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000. If you need a complete replacement of your property’s sewer line, the entire project could cost you $5,000 to more than $15,000. Consult licenced and trained professionals to assess your sewer line project and determine its cost.
When You Might Need Sewer Line Replacement
Sometimes, knowing you need to replace a failing sewer line is relatively easy—other times, it’s not so obvious. Check out these signs that your sewer line should be replaced.
- Slow-moving drains throughout your property could indicate a damaged sewer line that can’t clear other drains fast enough.
- Frequent clogs in your plumbing system
- Raw sewage backing up into your basement and other parts of your home
- Gurgling sounds from the drains in your home
Your property’s main sewer line rarely needs complete replacement. Sometimes, a local plumber can repair the existing drain, and most problems like foul odours, water leaks around your toilet, slow-moving drains, and gurgling sounds in the drains will go away.
However, you may need replacement if the sewer pipes have collapsed or you need frequent sewer line repairs. Similarly, if the damaged sewer line is beyond repair, then replacement could be cost-effective compared to extensive and costly repairs.
Drain Repair Toronto Cost
Drains or sewer lines fail for many reasons, each of which necessitates specific repair procedures and costs. Minor obstructions may require drain snaking. However, a cracked, collapsed, or broken main drain line will require a lining or partial replacement. Here are the estimated drain repair costs in Toronto.
- Pipe bursting: $250 to $1,000
- Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP): $100 to $350 per foot
- Spin-casting: $4,000 to $12,000
- Snaking: $100 to $300
- Hydro jetting: $200 to $2,000 or more, depending on the scope of your drain repair project.
If you’re experiencing drain problems, consult a plumber to inspect your drains and determine the exact cause. The plumber will use different methods to fix burst pipes, collapsed lines, cracked pipes, and other issues. Therefore, the cost will vary depending on your specific project.
Sewer Line Replacement Cost by Square Foot and Linear Foot
Toronto property owners can pay as low as $50 per square foot for sewer line replacement and as high as $250 per square foot for the same service. In terms of cost per linear foot, here’s a detailed cost breakdown.
- 5 feet: $275 to $1,250
- 10 feet: $550 to $2,500
- 20 feet: $1,100 to $5,000
Keep in mind that these are just estimated values. The total cost of replacing a sewer line depends on factors such as accessibility of the drains, depth, materials used, and the complexity of your project. So consult a drain replacement expert for a detailed estimate of the costs involved.
Factors Affecting Sewer Line Replacement Costs
Here are the key factors that determine the total cost of sewage line replacement in Toronto.
Sewer Line Replacement Options
The extent of your drain damage is the most significant factor that determines whether the damaged pipe needs to be replaced. Minor issues, such as cracks on your cast iron pipes, may require localized repairs. However, if the piping material has deteriorated significantly, a complete replacement may be necessary. Here are sewer line replacement methods and their costs.
Traditional Sewer Line Replacement Method
Sewer lines are often buried deep in the yard. Accessing such sewer pipes is a labour-intensive process that requires excavation. Your contractor will have to dig up the older pipes and replace the damaged section or the entire line with a new pipe. This sewer line replacement method costs $50 to $250 per foot.
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair
This sewer line repair and replacement technique is considered less disruptive as it doesn’t require extensive excavation. It combines pipe bursting and pipe lining. Pipe bursting feeds a new pipe into an existing pipe. Next, the new piping explodes the older pipes to make room for the new piping.
Pipe-lining works similarly. It involves inserting a unique line into the sewer pipe at sections where there are cracks or leaks. The lining then expands to create a new, efficient pipe surface. Trenchless methods often cost $60 to $250 per foot.
Length and Depth of your Sewer Line
The starting point of your sewer line and the path it takes to connect to the city’s main drain line can affect the cost of replacing a section or the entire line. Obstructions or pipes buried deep in the ground could also increase labour costs.
For instance, accessing pipes behind a concrete wall or buried underneath your driveway requires heavy machinery for excavation. Similarly, if a section of your sewer line needs replacing and is directly underneath a concrete slab, you need a plumber with extensive experience in excavating drain pipes. As such, the cost per foot will increase significantly.
Generally, the cost of replacing a short length of a sewer line may begin from around $1,250, while the cost of replacing an entire sewage line could exceed $25,000.
Cost of Materials
The most common piping materials for sewer lines today are copper, PVC, and ABS. Each piping option has a cost range and recommended use case scenarios. In rare cases, cast iron pipes can be used as sewer line piping material. If you’re buying 50 linear feet of a specific material, here are the estimated costs.
- Cast iron: $1,250 to $3,800
- ABS plastic: $150 to $270
- PVC pipes: $90 to $420
These are just price estimates. Work with your plumber to determine the right materials for your sewer line replacement and get an accurate quotation.
Other Cost Considerations
In many cases, you can’t understand the extent of sewer line damage until you begin digging. That’s why additional costs are likely to arise as more issues come up during the process of assessing and replacing your home’s sewer lines. These costs include:
Labour Cost
In addition to the cost of hiring trained professionals, the complexity of your sewer line job or replacement can increase the total labour cost. You may need to pay for extra services such as tree removal, excavation, disposal of the old pipes, and permits (based on local regulations). After the replacement of your sewer line, you may require landscaping services to fix the part of your yard that has been dug up.
Sewer Line Inspection
Most sewage line repairs and replacements require a video inspection. This extra service will cost you $100 to $500. While you might be tempted to skip drain inspection to save some money, the initial inspection is key to identifying the damaged section of your sewer line and determining the best way of fixing it.
Sewer Line Repair vs. Replacement
Before you decide to repair or replace your property’s sewer line, it’s best to compare the costs and benefits. Depending on the drain problem you’re experiencing, you may not have a choice between repairing and replacing your sewer line.
However, when you have an option, repairs are way cheaper than replacements. If a sewer cleanout or pipe repair can fix a problem, it will be more cost-effective than drain replacement. Here are the estimated sewer line repair costs.
| Repair Service | Cost Range |
| Removing tree roots from drains | $300-$1,100 |
| Addition of resin liner to pipes | $4,000-$12,000 |
| Drain snaking | $300-$1,100 |
| Repairing a break or crack in the outdoor line | $1,100-$4,000 |
| Trenched repairs of a collapsed line | $55-$250 per linear foot |
DIY vs. Licensed Plumber Sewer Line Repair
Working on your home’s sewer system without the necessary expertise and equipment can be quite dangerous. You’re likely to make mistakes that could lead to more damage. Therefore, it’s recommended to hire industry experts to handle all sewer-related repairs and replacements. Hiring a plumber to handle sewer-related repairs can cost up to $145 per hour.
Even if you have the special equipment needed to repair your sewage system, watching a few YouTube videos doesn’t make you an expert in drainage systems. Besides, digging your yard to access pipes buried deep can be dangerous.
Benefits of Replacing Sewer Lines
Getting your sewage line replaced by a licensed professional presents many benefits. Switching from outdated pipes to more effective pipes can save you the trouble of frequent repairs. So, if you have been calling a plumbing technician frequently to fix an issue with your sewage line, replacing it could save you money on repairs.
New sewage systems require less maintenance than old ones. Therefore, replacing old pipes with new, efficient ones could save you the effort and money associated with frequent inspections and replacements.
Replacing a failing sewer line prevents sewage backflow. Old pipes may not withstand the pressure of increased water, so replacing them could strengthen your home’s plumbing system and ensure it stays efficient.
Choosing a Sewer Service Company
When you’re ready to reach out to a sewer company for help, it’s crucial to ask the right questions before committing to a drain replacement start date. Here are essential questions you should ask.
- Are you a licensed sewer contractor in Toronto?
- Do you offer a warranty for the completed work?
- Do you have a valid insurance policy to cover incidents that may occur during the project?
- Is my home suitable for trenchless sewage line replacement?
- Will there be extra costs for various factors like utility lines, sloping, etc.?
- What does your cost estimate include?
- Are there additional costs for permits?
These questions will help you get detailed information from a potential contractor and help you make an informed decision.
Conclusion
Sewer line replacement is a labour-intensive project that should be handled by a licenced professional. It requires excavation, removal of deteriorated pipes, and installation of new ones. Luckily, the benefits of replacing a failing sewage line outweigh the costs.
Sewer Line Replacement FAQs
What are the signs of sewage line damage?
Some of the common signs of a damaged main sewage line include foul odour from drains, gurgling sounds from your toilet, recurrent plumbing backups, and more. Contact a professional plumber to inspect your drains and fix the issue.
When should you replace your sewer line?
You should replace your sewage line if the pipes have deteriorated significantly, there are obstructions like tree roots, or the current pipes have been damaged extensively.
