Ironclad Plumbing wrote this comparison because sewer repair is one of the widest price ranges in residential plumbing, and the right method depends entirely on what the camera shows.
Quick Answer
| Method | What It Is | When It’s Right | Ironclad Price | Austin Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | Dig down to the damaged section, cut out the bad pipe, replace with new pipe, backfill. | Single failure point (one root intrusion, one crack, one offset). Rest of the line is healthy. | ~$2,000 | $1,000-$3,500 |
| Trenchless lining (CIPP) | Insert a resin-coated liner through the existing pipe. It cures and becomes a new pipe inside the old one. No digging. | Cracks, root entry points, minor offsets throughout the line. Pipe has NOT collapsed. Line is relatively straight. | ~$5,500 | $3,500-$9,000 |
| Full excavation and replacement | Dig up the entire line, remove old pipe, install new pipe, backfill, restore surface. | Pipe has collapsed. Orangeburg pipe (disintegrating). Multiple failure points. Severe bellies. Trenchless won’t work. | ~$8,000-$12,000 | $5,000-$15,000+ |
The rule before choosing any of these: camera inspection first ($275). Always. No exceptions.
How to Decide
Camera shows: single crack or root intrusion, rest of line is clean
→ Spot repair (~$2,000)
Camera shows: multiple cracks, minor offsets, scattered root entry, pipe intact
→ Trenchless lining (~$5,500)
Camera shows: pipe collapsed, belly (low spot trapping waste), Orangeburg pipe
→ Full replacement (~$8,000-$12,000)
Camera shows: heavy buildup but pipe is structurally sound
→ Hydro jetting (~$450) first, then re-camera to assess
→ If clean after jetting, no repair needed
→ If structural issues visible after cleaning, choose repair method based on findings
Spot Repair in Detail
What happens: The plumber excavates a hole at the damage location (typically 3-5 feet wide, 3-6 feet deep depending on pipe depth). They cut out the damaged pipe section and replace it with new PVC. They backfill the hole and compact the soil. Surface restoration (grass, gravel) is usually included. Driveway or concrete restoration is usually NOT included and is a separate cost.
Pros: Cheapest option. Fixes the specific problem. Quick (usually 1 day). Minimal disruption if the damage is in the yard (not under a driveway or structure).
Cons: Only fixes one spot. If the pipe has multiple weak points, you may be back for another spot repair in 1-2 years. Does not address overall pipe deterioration.
Best for: A 50-year-old clay pipe that has one root intrusion point but is otherwise holding up. A newer PVC pipe that has a single joint failure from soil settlement. An isolated crack from tree root pressure.
Trenchless Lining (CIPP) in Detail
What happens: The plumber accesses the sewer line through the cleanout (or by pulling a toilet if no cleanout exists). They clean the line (usually hydro jetting). They insert a flexible liner coated with epoxy resin. The liner is inflated against the inside of the existing pipe and cured with steam, hot water, or UV light. Once cured, the liner hardens into a smooth, jointless pipe inside the old pipe. The old pipe stays in the ground as an outer shell.
Pros: No digging (or minimal digging). No yard, driveway, or landscaping damage. Completed in 1 day. The cured liner is smooth and jointless, which means roots have no joints to enter and buildup has less surface to cling to. Effective lifespan of a properly installed liner is 30-50 years.
Cons: More expensive per foot than spot repair. Cannot fix a collapsed pipe (the liner follows the existing pipe shape, including any collapse). Cannot fix severe bellies (the low spot remains). Requires the pipe to be relatively straight (sharp 90-degree bends are problematic). Requires adequate access points.
Best for: A line with multiple cracks, root entry points, or minor offsets spread throughout. An older clay or cast iron line that is deteriorating generally but hasn’t collapsed. Situations where excavation would be extremely disruptive (line runs under a driveway, pool deck, or mature landscaping).
Full Excavation and Replacement in Detail
What happens: The plumber (often with a crew and mini excavator) digs a trench along the entire sewer line path. They remove the old pipe and install new PVC. They connect to the city sewer and to the home’s drain system. They backfill, compact, and restore the surface.
Pros: Brand new pipe. Solves every problem (collapse, belly, material failure, root intrusion, offset). New PVC lasts 50-100+ years. Proper slope can be reestablished (fixing bellies).
Cons: Most expensive. Most disruptive. 2-5 days of work. Yard, landscaping, and/or driveway damage requiring restoration. Restoration cost (sod, concrete, landscaping) is often NOT included in the plumbing quote and can add $1,000-$5,000.
Best for: Orangeburg pipe (tar paper, cannot be lined, cannot be spot-repaired meaningfully). Cast iron that has deteriorated throughout. Lines with major bellies causing chronic backups. Lines that have fully collapsed. Any situation where the existing pipe is beyond salvage.
Cost Comparison with Total Project Cost
The plumbing quote is not always the total cost. Factor in restoration.
| Method | Plumbing Cost | Yard/Surface Restoration | Total Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | $2,000 | $200-$500 (small area) | $2,200-$2,500 |
| Trenchless lining | $5,500 | $0-$200 (minimal surface work) | $5,500-$5,700 |
| Full replacement (yard) | $8,000-$12,000 | $1,000-$3,000 (sod, grading) | $9,000-$15,000 |
| Full replacement (under driveway) | $10,000-$15,000 | $2,000-$5,000 (concrete) | $12,000-$20,000 |
Trenchless lining often has the lowest TOTAL project cost despite a higher plumbing cost, because there’s no excavation and no restoration.
The Upsell to Watch For
“Your sewer line needs full replacement.” Price tag: $12,000+.
Before agreeing, ask:
- “Can you show me the camera footage?”
- “Why won’t a spot repair or trenchless lining work?”
- “Is the pipe collapsed or just cracked?”
If the pipe is cracked but not collapsed, trenchless lining may solve it for $5,500 instead of $12,000. If it’s a single failure point, spot repair may solve it for $2,000. The camera footage is the evidence. Without it, you’re trusting a recommendation you can’t verify.
Full pricing: Ironclad’s Open Price Guide.
Call Ironclad at (833) 597-1932. We always start with a camera. No service visit fees.