Learning that you need a sewer line repair or replacement probably wasn’t on your to-do list.
For most homeowners, it’s an unexpected expense and a project they’ve never experienced before. It’s completely normal to have questions about what happens next, how long it will take, and what your yard will look like afterward.
At Lohmeyer Plumbing, we believe the process shouldn’t be a mystery. We’ll explain what’s happening every step of the way so you can make informed decisions and know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: We’ll Evaluate the Project and Provide an Upfront Estimate
Before any work begins, we’ll visit your property to evaluate the project and determine the best approach.
We’re looking at much more than just where the sewer line is located.
We’ll evaluate things like:
- The location and depth of the sewer line
- Bushes, trees, and landscaping
- Fences or gates
- Sidewalks and driveways
- Existing utility lines
- How accessible the work area is
- Whether the sewer line extends into a utility easement
Most sewer line projects are fairly straightforward, but every property is different. Taking the time to evaluate the entire project allows us to provide an accurate upfront estimate and helps avoid surprises once excavation begins.
Whenever possible, we’ll look for the most practical path to the sewer line while balancing safety, code requirements, and minimizing disruption to your property.
Step 2: Utility Locates Are Required
Before anyone can dig, underground utilities must be located and marked.
This includes things like:
- Gas lines
- Electric lines
- Water lines
- Communication lines
- Other underground utilities
These locates protect our employees, your property, your neighbors, and the utility infrastructure serving the area.
By law, utility companies are given up to three business days to complete these locates. In reality, it sometimes takes longer.
Unfortunately, this is often the biggest source of delay in sewer repair and replacement projects. While we’d love to begin sooner, we can’t safely or legally excavate until the utilities have been marked.
We’ll keep your project moving as quickly as possible and let you know when everything is cleared to proceed.
Step 3: We Coordinate the Project
One advantage of working with Lohmeyer Plumbing is that you don’t have to coordinate multiple contractors yourself.
We’ll handle the coordination with the excavator and obtain any permits required for the project. If work extends into a utility easement or requires additional approvals, we’ll take care of those details as well.
Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible so you can focus on your family, not coordinating contractors.
Step 4: Repair or Replacement Day
Once utility locates have been completed, it’s time to get to work.
Most sewer line repairs and replacements take between a half day and a full day to complete.
You’ll likely see excavating equipment, plumbers, and a fair amount of dirt moving around your yard. While we always work carefully and respectfully around your property, excavation is exactly what it sounds like, we’re digging to access an underground sewer line.
Our team works closely with the excavator throughout the project to complete the plumbing work efficiently while maintaining a safe job site.
What Will My Yard Look Like Afterwards?
This is one of the most common questions we receive.
After the sewer line has been repaired or replaced, the trench will be backfilled, but it’s completely normal to have a slight mound of soil where the excavation took place.
Over the next several months, that soil will naturally settle.
We recommend occasionally watering the disturbed area to help the soil settle more evenly over time.
Because this settling process can take several months, we don’t reseed lawns or complete final landscaping. Most homeowners prefer to wait until the ground has fully settled before restoring the area.
A quick tip: We’re plumbers, not landscapers! You’ll save money by handling the grass seed yourself once the ground has settled. If you’d rather have someone else take care of it, we’re happy to recommend local landscaping companies.
Safety Is Never an Afterthought
Excavation work comes with significant safety responsibilities.
Our team receives ongoing training and follows established safety procedures on every excavation project.
That includes:
- Waiting for all required utility locates
- Working safely around excavation equipment
- Monitoring trench conditions throughout the project
- Watching for unstable soil conditions
- Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including hard hats
Many of these precautions happen behind the scenes, but they’re an important part of protecting our employees, your property, and everyone in the neighborhood.
Typical Sewer Repair Timeline
While every project is a little different, here’s what the process usually looks like:
Initial Visit
- Evaluate the sewer line
- Review the project with you
- Provide an upfront estimate within a couple of days
Before the Work Begins
- Before beginning the scheduling process, a deposit must be received
- Utility locates are requested
- Any required permits are obtained
- The excavator is scheduled
Repair Day
- The excavator exposes the sewer line
- We complete the repair or replacement
- Most projects are finished within a half day to a full day
After the Repair
- The trench is backfilled
- Expect a slight mound of soil
- Watering the area periodically helps the soil settle naturally
- Once the ground has settled over the coming months, you can reseed or complete any final landscaping
If we discover something unexpected during excavation, we’ll stop, explain what we found, discuss your options, and answer your questions before moving forward. We believe there should never be surprises when it comes to your plumbing, or your bill.
We Understand This Is an Unexpected Expense
Very few homeowners budget for a sewer line replacement.
If your sewer line does require repair or replacement, we’ll explain exactly what we found, answer your questions, and provide upfront pricing before any work begins.
We also offer financing for qualified customers to help make larger repairs more manageable.
The Bottom Line
While a sewer line repair or replacement may seem overwhelming, it’s something our team performs on a regular basis.
From evaluating the project and coordinating utility locates to working with the excavator and completing the plumbing work, we’ll guide you through every step of the process.
Our goal is simple: communicate clearly, complete the work safely, do the job right the first time, and leave you with a sewer line you can depend on for years to come.