If you’ve ever had a sewer backup, smelled something awful near your foundation, or dealt with sluggish drain pipes all over your house, chances are you’ve asked this question: What’s the pipe to the sewer called?
It’s a fair question — and a good one. Because knowing what you’re dealing with helps you understand what’s going wrong, what needs fixing, and why it’s not something to ignore.
At Boulden Brothers, we deal with these pipes every day. We dig them up, repair them, replace them, and inspect them — so let’s get right into it.
The Pipes to the Sewer Are Called the Main Sewer Line
Plain and simple. You might also hear it called a sewer lateral — that’s just a fancy way to say “the pipe that carries all the wastewater from your house to the city’s system or your septic tank.”
It usually starts under your home, runs underground through your yard, and connects either to a municipal sewer tap or a septic field.
This pipe does all the heavy lifting. Every sink, toilet, shower, dishwasher, and washing machine in your home drains into it. When it works, you never think about it. But when it goes bad, it gets your attention fast.
What Does the Main Sewer Line Do?
Picture all your drains feeding into one big underground pipe. That’s your main sewer line. It carries everything — solids, liquids, toilet paper, grease, soap — out of your house and into the city system or septic system.
The pipe is usually made of:
- Cast iron in older homes
- Clay tile in very old systems
- PVC or ABS in modern builds
- Orangeburg (compressed tar paper) in homes from the mid-1900s — and yes, it’s just as bad as it sounds
These pipes can last decades, but nothing lasts forever — especially when roots, age, soil movement, and time get involved.
Common Problems with Sewer Lines
We see the same issues over and over. Some are slow. Some are sudden. All of them are a pain in the neck if you don’t act fast.
1. Tree Root Invasion
Roots love sewer lines. They find the tiniest cracks, sneak in, and grow like crazy. Eventually, they clog the pipe completely.
2. Pipe Collapse or Sagging
Older pipes can break down, crack, or sag (this is called a “belly”). Wastewater gets stuck, builds up, and causes backups.
3. Grease and Debris Buildup
Flushing grease, wipes, or other non-flushables clogs the line over time.
4. Offset Joints
Over time, pipe sections can shift, causing gaps or misalignment where waste gets caught and builds up.
5. Age and Corrosion
If you’ve got cast iron or Orangeburg, your pipe could be falling apart from the inside out.
Signs Your Main Sewer Line Is in Trouble
If you notice one or two of these, you might be dealing with a basic clog. But if they start adding up — call us right away:
- Multiple drains clogging at once
- Toilet gurgling when you run the shower
- Water backing up into the tub or basement
- Sewer smell in the house or yard
- Slow draining throughout the house
- Wet or sunken patches in your yard
These are red flags that your sewer line might be broken, clogged, or worse.
When to Call Boulden Brothers
There’s a point where DIY isn’t going to cut it. Pouring drain cleaner down all your pipes won’t solve a main line issue. Here’s when you need to bring us in:
- You’ve cleared one drain, but others are still slow
- You’re getting backups in more than one room
- There’s a smell of sewage near your home
- Water is seeping into your basement from the floor drain
- You haven’t had your sewer line inspected in over a decade
You call. We come. It’s fixed. That’s how we handle business.
What We Do: The Fix, Step by Step
1. We Listen First
You tell us what’s happening. We ask questions to figure out if the problem is isolated or deeper in the system.
2. We Scope the Line
We use a sewer camera to check the entire length of the main line. We see exactly where the blockage, break, or root problem is. No guessing.
3. We Clear It
For clogs and roots, we use professional-grade equipment — augers, cutters, or hydro jetting — to clear the line fast and completely.
4. We Repair or Replace If Needed
If the pipe is cracked, collapsed, or too far gone, we offer options. We can patch, reline, or replace the entire section — and we’ll walk you through every option.
5. We Test and Clean Up
We make sure the fix works and your home is clean, safe, and back to normal before we pack up.
Fixed right the first time. Always.
FAQ
Is the sewer line my responsibility?
Yes. Everything from your house to the city tap is yours to maintain. If it breaks, it’s on you to fix it.
How deep is the main sewer line?
It depends on the grade of your yard, but it’s usually 3 to 6 feet deep. Sometimes deeper near the street.
Can a sewer line be relined instead of replaced?
In many cases, yes. We use trenchless methods when possible to save time and your landscaping.
How long does a main sewer line last?
PVC can last 50+ years. Cast iron can go 30 to 50. Orangeburg rarely makes it past 30 without trouble.
Can I pour something down the drain to fix it?
Skip the chemicals. They rarely work on main line clogs and can damage pipes. Give us a call instead.
Let’s Get That Pipe Flowing Again
If your main sewer line is giving you trouble, don’t ignore it. Backups and odors are just the start. The longer you wait, the worse — and more expensive — it gets.
At Boulden Brothers, we know how to deal with sewer lines the right way. Fast diagnostics. Honest answers. No guesswork.
You call. We come. It’s fixed. Let’s get your home draining like it should — today.
