How It Works

Sewer line piping connects your home with the utility line connection point, which is usually near the street. Septic piping extends from the home to the septic system which is almost always owned by the homeowner and located on the homeowner’s property.

Modern sewer piping is usually three, four, or six-inches in diameter. It’s usually made from polyethylene, PVC or other plastic material. The varying diameters are made for varying flow rates.

Sewer and septic piping is usually buried below the “frost line”, which prevents freezing, flow stoppage and pipe cracking. Septic system installations also involve separation tanks, lateral drainage lines, and (depending on soil conditions) may include air pumps, water pumps, and chemical infusion systems.

Almost all sewer and septic piping and system installations fall under some combination of national, state, and local building codes and other jurisdictional requirements. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to comply with any applicable codes or requirements.

What Can Go Wrong?

The most common causes of damage are accidental physical damage while digging, crushing under the weight of heavy vehicles and cracking due to freezing.