What a sewer line replacement costs in 2026
| Method | Per foot | 40 feet |
|---|---|---|
| Dig and replace | $50 to $250 a foot | $2,000 to $10,000 |
| Pipe bursting (trenchless) | $60 to $200 a foot | $2,400 to $8,000 |
| Pipe lining (trenchless) | $90 to $250 a foot | $3,600 to $10,000 |
These are national installed prices. A small fix on one bad spot costs far less: HomeGuide puts sewer line repairs at $150 to $3,800.
Who pays in the City of Akron
Akron splits the sewer lateral (the pipe from your house to the main) in two:
- Private side, you pay: from the house to the right-of-way or easement line.
- Public side, the city pays: structural repairs from the right-of-way to the sewer main, for homes.
You're still responsible for keeping the whole lateral clear of blockages, such as roots or grease. The city says repairs must be done by a licensed sewer contractor, and any work connected to a city sewer needs a sewer permit from the Akron Plans & Permits Center before work starts.
So before you pay for a long replacement, find out where your right-of-way line is. The part under the street may not be yours to pay for.
Free city inspection: call 311 first
- Have a plumber or drain service clear the line so the water drains.
- If they find a break or a blockage they can't clear, call 311 and ask the Sewer Maintenance Division for a lateral inspection. It's free.
- If the basement is flooding or you smell sewage, call 311 right away. The city checks the main line for a blockage.
The city's camera can't see a break under standing water, which is why the line should be drained first.
The extras that change the price
| Extra | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Camera inspection | $125 to $500 |
| Add a cleanout | $500 to $2,000 |
| Permit | $30 to $500 |
| Patch a driveway | $100 to $400 |
| Replace a driveway section | $600 to $3,000 |
| New sod, per square foot | $1 to $2 |
For a dig job, the calculator assumes a trench about 2 feet wide that needs new sod. Landscaping beyond sod, like shrubs or a patio, costs more.
Dig, burst, or line?
Dig and replace
The crew opens a trench and lays new pipe. It fixes any problem, including a collapsed or sagging pipe, but it tears up everything on top of the line.
Pipe bursting
A head is pulled through the old pipe, breaking it outward while new pipe follows behind. It needs only a pit at each end, so it's good under driveways and trees.
Pipe lining
A resin-soaked liner is pushed into the old pipe and hardened, making a pipe inside the pipe. It needs the old pipe to still hold its shape.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to replace a sewer line?
Most sewer line replacements are priced by the foot: about $50 to $250 a foot to dig and replace, $60 to $200 a foot for pipe bursting, and $90 to $250 a foot for pipe lining. A 40-foot line dug and replaced runs about $2,000 to $10,000 before the yard or driveway is put back.
Who pays for a broken sewer lateral in Akron?
In the City of Akron, the owner pays for repairs from the house to the right-of-way or easement line (the private side). The city pays for structural repairs from there to the sewer main (the public side) on homes. Other communities in Summit County set their own rules, so ask your city or village.
Will the City of Akron check my sewer line for free?
Yes. If a plumber or drain service finds a break or a blockage they cannot clear, call 311 and ask the Sewer Maintenance Division for a lateral inspection. It works best after the line has been drained, because the camera cannot see a break under water.
Is trenchless sewer replacement cheaper?
Not always by the foot, but it can be cheaper in total when the line runs under a driveway, a sidewalk, trees, or a finished yard, because far less has to be dug up and put back. Lining only works on a pipe that still holds its shape.