The big oaks and maples in Meridian Hills are a large part of what makes the neighborhood special. They're also one of the main reasons older sewer lines fail. If drains all over the house are slowing down or the basement floor drain is backing up, the sewer line between your home and the city main is the first place to look.
Why sewer lines fail in older North Indy neighborhoods
Many homes in Meridian Hills, Nora and Broad Ripple (46240, 46260, 46228 and 46208) were built with sewer pipe that has now been in the ground a long time:
Clay tile. Laid in short sections with many joints. Roots find their way into those joints, grow and eventually crack or shift the pipe.
Cast iron. Strong, but it rusts from the inside, scales up and can crack or rot through at the bottom of the pipe.
Orangeburg. A fiber pipe used in some mid-century homes that can soften and flatten over time.
Add Indiana's freeze-thaw cycles, settling soil and decades of use, and a line can sag, separate at joints or partly collapse.
Warning signs of a failing sewer line
Several drains slow or back up at the same time
Water comes up in the basement floor drain or lowest shower when you run the washer or flush
Gurgling from toilets or drains
Sewer smell in the basement or yard
A soggy or unusually green strip of lawn along the line
You need the main line cleared again and again
One backup doesn't mean you need a new line. Plenty of clogs are just clogs, and a good drain cleaning takes care of them.
Start with a camera inspection
A sewer camera shows exactly what's going on inside the pipe: roots, cracks, offset joints, bellies where the line sags and holds water, or a collapsed section. It also shows where the problem is and how deep, which shapes the whole plan.
From there, your plumber can tell you whether:
Clearing the line and managing roots will keep it working
One damaged section can be dug up and replaced
The line is failing along its length and full replacement is the better value
We start from repair. Replacement is recommended when the pipe itself is broken down and cleaning or spot repairs won't hold, and we'll show you the footage so you can see why.
What sewer line replacement involves
Sewer replacement at ExpertPipe Indy is done by excavation. Shawn runs our excavation and sewer crew, and a typical job looks like this:
Utilities are marked through Indiana 811 before any digging
The crew excavates along the line or at the damaged section
The old pipe comes out and new PVC sewer pipe goes in at proper slope, with a cleanout for easy access later
The new line is connected at the house and toward the city sewer, inspected and tested
The trench is backfilled and the site is cleaned up
Your plumber will talk you through what to expect with your yard, driveway or landscaping before the work is scheduled.
What affects the cost of sewer replacement
How long the line is and how deep it runs
Whether only a section or the full line needs replacing
What's on top of it: lawn, landscaping, a driveway or a sidewalk
Tree roots and soil conditions along the route
Permit and inspection requirements
Your plumber gives you options and a price before any work begins. If you already have a written estimate from another licensed plumber for the same scope, our 10% price match beats it by 10%. Every job carries our 12-month workmanship warranty.
When to call us
Call or text if more than one drain is backing up, you see water at the floor drain, or you keep needing the main line cleared. Learn more on our sewer line repair page.
FAQ
Who is responsible for the sewer line?
In most of Indianapolis, the homeowner is responsible for the sewer line from the house out to where it connects to the public sewer. The city or utility maintains the main itself. If you're unsure where your line ties in, a camera inspection can help locate it.
Can roots be cleared without replacing the line?
Often, yes. If the pipe is structurally sound, cutting out roots and keeping up with regular cleaning can keep it working for years. If roots have cracked or shifted the pipe, they'll keep coming back until that section is replaced.
Do you offer trenchless sewer replacement?
Not yet. Right now our sewer replacements are done by excavation, which lets our crew see and fix the entire problem directly. We plan the dig to limit disruption to your yard as much as possible.
How long does a sewer line replacement take?
It depends on the length and depth of the line and what's on top of it. Your plumber will give you a timeline along with the price so you can plan around it.
What should I do if sewage is backing up right now?
Stop running water, flushing toilets and using the washer or dishwasher, then call us. Keep kids and pets away from any backed-up water.
Seeing sewer trouble? Call or text (317) 731-3028, or visit our sewer line repair page.
