Signs the sewer line itself is failing
- Backups that come back weeks or months after a cleaning.
- Several drains slow at once, or gurgling in the toilet when other fixtures drain.
- Sewer smell outside near the line, or inside with no obvious source.
- A soggy, sunken or unusually green strip in the yard along the line's path.
- Roots in the cleanout or in what the cable brings back.
What a camera inspection tells you
| The camera shows | What it usually means | Typical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Light roots at a few joints, pipe otherwise sound | Root intrusion at the joints | Cable or jet, then re-check in a year |
| Standing water in one section | A sag ("belly") where the ground has settled | Spot repair if the backups are frequent |
| A crack or offset joint in one place | Local damage | Spot repair of that section |
| Pipe flattened into an oval | Orangeburg (fiber) pipe failing | Replace the lateral |
| Breaks or heavy roots along much of the run | The line is at the end of its life | Replace or line the whole lateral |
| A problem near the street, past the property line | Possibly the utility's part of the lateral | Contact your sewer provider before a repair |
Need a sewer camera or repair? Call a local plumber
Whose part of the line is broken?
In MetroConnects' service area, the sewer lateral has two owners. Under MetroConnects' Lateral Maintenance Policy (adopted July 2023):
- MetroConnects owns the "service lateral": the piece from its main to the edge of its easement or the public right of way (or to the connection, whichever comes first).
- The property owner owns the "private lateral" from the house out to that point, and the connection between the two. Any part of the lateral within 5 feet of the house is always private.
- Problems in the private lateral or the connection are the owner's to pay for.
The policy also says owners should call MetroConnects first in a sewer emergency or backup, at (864) 277-4442, and that plumbers shouldn't repair MetroConnects' part without its approval. If a licensed plumber finds the problem in MetroConnects' section, you can ask for reimbursement within 30 days of the repair. Our who-owns guide lists what to submit.
Inside city sewer systems (City of Greenville, Simpsonville, Mauldin, Fountain Inn, Greer CPW), the split is set by that provider. Ask it where its responsibility ends before you pay for work near the street.
Repair options
Spot repair (dig and replace a section)
- Best when the camera shows one bad spot in otherwise good pipe.
- Cheapest way to fix a single break or sag.
- Leaves the rest of the old pipe in place, so ask how it looks.
Full replacement (open trench)
- A new PVC line laid in a trench from the house to the connection.
- Most predictable result; also lets the plumber fix the slope.
- Most disruption to the yard. Red clay digs slowly, so depth matters to the price.
Pipe bursting (trenchless)
- A head pulls new pipe through the old one, breaking it apart, from two small pits.
- Saves driveways, trees and landscaping.
- Needs a pipe the head can pass through; not every line or plumber is suited.
Lining (cured-in-place pipe)
- A resin liner is cured inside the old pipe, forming a new pipe within it.
- Good for cracked or root-damaged pipe that still holds its shape.
- Not suitable for collapsed or badly flattened pipe; slightly reduces the diameter.
Ask every company that quotes which method they'd use and why, and whether the price includes restoring the yard or driveway.
Before digging starts
- Call 811 (or have the plumber do it) to mark public utility lines. 811 doesn't mark private lines such as your own water service, irrigation or outdoor wiring, so point those out.
- Confirm the permit. Sewer line replacements usually need one from your city or Greenville County Building Safety, (864) 467-7060.
- Agree on what happens to the yard: backfill, grading, seed or sod, and driveway patching.
- Coordinate with your sewer provider if the work reaches the connection near the street.
What sewer line work costs
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer line repair or replace | $100–$2,477 (average about $1,575) | HomeAdvisor, Greer SC, checked Oct 2026 |
| Sewer line replacement, per foot | $60–$250 | Angi, Greer SC, checked Oct 2026 |
| Main sewer line clog repair | $1,310–$4,950 typical (as low as $215, up to $9,300+) | Angi national figure, checked Oct 2026 |
| Sewer camera inspection | About $270–$1,731 | HomeAdvisor national guide, 2025 |
Example: a 50-foot lateral replaced at $60–$250 a foot works out to roughly $3,000–$12,500 before any driveway or landscaping work. That's why a camera inspection that limits the job to one section can save thousands.
Does insurance cover it?
Standard homeowner's policies usually don't cover a worn-out sewer line, and many exclude sewer backup damage unless you've added a sewer or water backup endorsement. Check your policy before you need it; the endorsement is often inexpensive. If a backup has already happened, photograph everything and call your insurer before cleanup where you safely can.
Where this comes up most
Lateral replacements cluster in the county's older housing: Wade Hampton (median build year 1973), Berea, Taylors, the City of Greenville's mill villages and historic districts, and Piedmont's mill houses. MetroConnects is also replacing about 100-year-old public sewer in some west-side mill villages. That work covers the mains; the private line from each house is still the owner's.
Ready to have your sewer line checked?
Sewer line questions
How long does a sewer line last?
It depends on the material. Clay can last many decades but is prone to roots at the joints, cast iron often lasts 50 years or more, Orangeburg fiber pipe tends to fail much sooner, and modern PVC is expected to last far longer.
Does MetroConnects pay for sewer line repairs?
Only for problems in its own part of the lateral, between its main and the edge of its easement or right of way. The private lateral and the connection are the owner's. Call MetroConnects first in a backup to keep reimbursement possible.
Is trenchless sewer repair worth the extra cost?
It can be when the line runs under a driveway, mature trees or landscaping you'd otherwise pay to rebuild. For an open lawn, a trench is often cheaper. Ask for both prices if the plumber offers both.
How long does a sewer line replacement take?
Many residential laterals are replaced in a day or two, plus time for the permit and inspection. Deep lines, rock or long runs take longer. You usually can't use the drains while the line is open.
Do I need a permit to replace my sewer line?
Usually, yes. Inside a city, the city's building department issues it; in unincorporated areas, Greenville County Building Safety. Make sure the permit is in the plumber's price.
Can I get the camera video from the plumber?
Ask for it before the inspection. Many companies will share the recording or still images, which help you compare quotes and, in MetroConnects areas, show where the problem is.
Sources
- MetroConnects Lateral Maintenance Policy and Reimbursement Request Form (adopted July 17, 2023), sections 1–12. metroconnects.org
- MetroConnects news on the replacement of 100-year-old sewer in mill villages; Greenville Business Magazine (May 2025).
- HomeAdvisor (Greer, SC) and Angi (Greer, SC) sewer costs, checked Oct 2026; HomeAdvisor national sewer inspection guide (2025).
- SC 811 / national 811 guidance on public vs private line marking.
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates for housing age.
Page history
October 2026: first published.