It's a big and costly headache when your home's sewer line fails. Fortunately, there are a few ways to save money when it comes to sewer line repair and replacement. 

1. Consider Trenchless Options

One of the more costly components of replacement is trenching and pulling out the broken pipe. A trenchless repair skips this process by installing an epoxy liner through the existing sewer line. There is no need to cover the cost of trenching, landscape repair, or the excess labor necessary for a traditional replacement. If your sewer line qualifies for trenchless repair, then this is the biggest way to save money.

2. Protect Your Landscaping

For situations where the old line must be dug up, you can save a little bit of cash by protecting the landscaping so it can be easily fixed afterward. Cut out and remove the sod prior to trenching. Keep it stacked in a shaded area and water it sparingly to keep it alive. You can also remove any garden plants or large shrubs, simply potting them up during work. This way you don't have to pay for the installation of new landscaping — simply replant the old.

3. Target the Replacement

Often there is no need to replace an entire length of pipe. If trenchless isn't an option, such as due to a pipe collapse, then the sewer line service can simply dig up only the collapsed portion of the pipe and replace it. This is only an option if the old pipe is in good condition and expected to have many more years of useful life ahead of it, otherwise, a full replacement may be the better value.

4. Check Your Insurance

Home insurance doesn't automatically cover sewer line repair or replacement. Many policies only cover sewer issues if you have an optional rider that covers sewer line damage. Check with your policy to see if you have the coverage. It can be worth it to pay for this rider even if you have no current sewer issues, particularly if the system is more than a couple of decades old. 

5. Practice Preventative Maintenance

Although preventative maintenance won't save you cash on any current replacement, it will prevent problems from costing you again in the future. Remove trees growing near the line if they were responsible for the damage. Schedule annual line inspections and cleanings, if necessary. These simple tasks can prolong the life of the new line. 

Contact a sewer line replacement service for more assistance if you have a leak in your main drain line.