Sewer line replacement swaps the private pipe between your house and the City's sewer for new pipe, either by digging a trench or by a trenchless method such as pipe bursting. It's the answer when damage runs the length of the line rather than one spot. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Greensboro.
Repair or replace: how to tell
A camera inspection is what settles it. Replacement usually makes sense when the footage shows:
- Cracks, offsets or root intrusion at many joints, not just one
- A long sag or "belly" where waste sits and builds up
- Collapsed or crushed sections
- Older pipe that's deteriorating along its length
If you've paid for repeat cleanings or more than one spot repair on the same line, ask the plumber to compare that pattern against the cost of a new line.
Trench vs trenchless
| Method | How it works | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Open trench | The old pipe is dug out along its full path and new pipe laid in its place | The line is shallow, the route is open lawn, or the grade needs correcting |
| Pipe bursting | A head is pulled through the old pipe, breaking it outward while new pipe follows behind | A driveway, trees or landscaping sit over the line |
| Lining | A resin liner is cured inside the existing pipe | The pipe is cracked but still holds its shape |
Trenchless methods still need access pits at each end, and they can't fix a line that has sagged badly, since the new pipe follows the old path.
The Greensboro side of the job
Where your line ends. The City of Greensboro handles the public main and, under its sewer backup policy, the accessible portion of the service line inside the public right-of-way or easement. Replacement work by your plumber covers the private section on your property. If the camera shows damage near the street, ask the City at 336-373-2033 whether that section is theirs.
Permits. The City issues its own plumbing permits, and sewer work is a line item on its plumbing permit fee schedule. The plumber normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection before the trench is backfilled.
Older housing. About 43% of Greensboro's homes were built before 1980, so many original sewer lines are reaching the age where a full replacement comes up.
While the line is open
Replacement is a good moment to add a cleanout near the house if there isn't one, and to ask about a backwater valve if your lowest drains sit below the street.
What affects the cost
Line length and depth, the method, what has to be dug through or restored (concrete, pavers, landscaping), access around the foundation, and the permit all shape the price. Get the method and restoration spelled out in writing.
Sewer Line Replacement questions from Greensboro homeowners
How do I know if my sewer line needs to be replaced?
Is trenchless sewer replacement always possible?
Does the City of Greensboro pay to replace my sewer line?
Do I need a permit to replace a sewer line in Greensboro?
Related plumbing services in Greensboro
Helpful guides
Sewer Line Replacement in nearby cities and towns
Guilford County
Alamance County
Randolph County
Rockingham County
Davidson County
Orange County
Chatham County
Sources
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