Comparing Sewer Solutions: Partial Replacement vs Rerouting

You found a significant belly in your sewer line. There’s a constant wet spot in your yard that never dries, and it smells awful. You know you need sewer line repairs — and you’re here to compare a partial pipe replacement with pipe rerouting.

(Spoiler alert: the location of your damaged sewer pipe almost always makes this decision for you — followed closely by your overall budget.)

We train our plumbers to identify the exact cause of your sewer issue, compare your repair options, and establish the single best solution to the problem. This is the advice we give our customers — and we wrote it up in a homeowner’s guide for you.

We’re Mother — a Dallas based plumbing company founded on modern service options and long-term solutions. Our research team and Master Plumbers built this comparison guide for homeowners to compare their sewer repair options and choose the best quote for their project. 

Live in Dallas and need a second opinion? Call us 7 days a week for expert, timely service.

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The 7 Sewer Line Problems Influencing Your Repair Decision

If you’re choosing between partial sewer pipe replacement or pipe rerouting, then you’re dealing with a more serious sewer repair.

Here are the 7 most common problems that create this situation:

1. Multiple underground sewer pipe leaks 
2. Multiple tree root intrusions
3. Break in your sewer branch line
4. Separation in your sewer line
5. Sewer belly
6. Slab leaks and wastewater leaks under your foundation
7. Wastewater leaks under extensive landscaping or outdoor construction

Your choice usually boils down to one decision:

• Digging under the home and replacing a section of your sewer pipe
• Disconnecting the old sewer line and new lines outside the foundation underground (rerouting)

These sewer line repair options are best suited for damaged pipe sections between 10 and 50 feet in length.

These 2 sewer repair solutions are generally “overkill” for sewer repairs with single leaks or intrusions — these are best handled by spot repairs. If your entire sewer line is damaged, compromised or extremely old, a complete replacement may be required.

Need a different solution? Compare your choices in our comprehensive guide to Dallas sewer repair options.

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When to Choose a Partial Sewer Line Replacement vs. Rerouting

First a quick overview of each kind of repair:

Partial sewer line replacement involves digging up and replacing a longer, compromised section of your sewer pipe. Damaged pipe sections typically extend from 10 to 50 feet. 

Pipe rerouting involves abandoning the old, problematic sewer line and installing a brand-new pipe along an entirely different, more practical path.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table: Partial Replacement vs. Rerouting

*Note: Costs are estimates and can vary widely based on pipe depth, location (e.g., under concrete), soil conditions, and specific DFW market factors.

Partial Sewer Line Replacements: More Involved Issues

Partial replacement is used when a "patch" isn't enough, but the entire line doesn't need to be replaced.

What’s involved in the repair process: After diagnosing the extent of the damage with a camera, we excavate a trench along the length of the damaged section of pipe.

If you have a slab foundation, a tunnel is placed under your house. If you have a pier and beam foundation, far less trenching is required. 

The old, faulty pipe is completely removed, and a brand new, durable Schedule 40 PVC pipe section is laid in its place. We carefully ensuring proper slope for drainage. Connections are made to the existing healthy pipe on both ends, and the trench is then backfilled.

• Pros:
  • Replaces a significant section of bad pipe, offering a more robust solution than a spot repair for longer areas.
  • Corrects issues like bellies (sags) or multiple extensive tree root intrusions.
  • Less expensive and disruptive than a complete sewer line replacement.
• Cons:
  • Costs become excessive in inaccessible areas (under foundation).
  • Invasive digging may cut through established landscaping or driveway areas.
  • Still leaves older pipe sections in place, which could develop issues later.

Sewer Pipe Rerouting: A New Pathway for Problem Spots

Pipe rerouting allows your plumber to bypass areas where the existing pipe is hard to reach, and create a more accessible new layout for your sewer line.

What’s involved in the repair process: The process starts with a simple calculation: will it cost more to access your existing damaged sewer line than to lay a new pipe section? Rather than pulling out that old pipe under your foundation, addition or landscaping, what if we left it under the house and dug a faster, less expensive trench in the yard?

If rerouting is the right answer for you, we precisely map out its current route. Then, we identify the most efficient path that avoids current or future obstacles.

The problematic sections of your old sewer line are carefully disconnected from your home's internal plumbing system — if they’re in an inaccessible area, they’re often left in place. Finally, we lay the new, durable Schedule 40 PVC pipe. Each section is securely connected and graded at the correct slope to guarantee uninterrupted gravity flow of wastewater.

• Pros:
  • Accesses and replaces damaged pipe sections in hard-to-reach areas, especially under foundations and major landscaping.
  • Provides a new pathway for your sewer system with an unproblematic layout, making future repairs easier.
  • A quality option for home renovations — adjust your layout as you relocate plumbing fixtures.
• Cons:
  • New trenches must be created to lay new pipe sections. This has a significant impact on your yard — excavation and landscape restoration.
  • Unnecessary if direct access to your damaged pipe section is possible.

When to Choose Partial Sewer Line Replacement

Partial sewer line replacement is the better choice when the damage is more extensive than a single point, but still doesn't warrant replacing the entire pipe.

Real-life customer scenarios where partial sewer line replacement is the better choice:

• A long section of pipe with multiple hairline cracks or root intrusions: The camera showed 15-20 feet of pipe that was consistently compromised, making a single spot repair impractical.
• A significant belly (sag) in a sewer pipe section: A sewer belly caused standing water and repeated clogs in a Dallas home and its backyard. This required excavating and re-laying that entire section to ensure proper slope.
• The pipe under a homeowner’s driveway was completely crushed or deteriorated: Replacing the entire segment made sense for this a high-traffic or critical area. There’s no cost benefit to making multiple penetrations or a large tunnel for multiple spot repairs.

When not to choose partial sewer line replacement: Don't choose partial replacement if your entire sewer line is old, constantly failing, or made of problematic materials like Orangeburg pipe. 

In those cases, even replacing a large section is just a temporary fix, and a complete replacement offers a more cost-effective long-term solution.

When to Choose Pipe Rerouting

Pipe rerouting allows for a completely fresh start for your wastewater drainage, avoiding the ongoing issues and disruption associated with repeatedly fixing a problematic original route.  It's a strategic way to provide a long-term, reliable sewer solution by creating a new, optimized pathway.

Real-life customer scenarios where pipe rerouting is the better choice:

• A damaged pipe section runs under your slab foundation: A fresh Schedule 40 PVC sewer pipe section with a pathway around your foundation saves costly, invasive slab breaks to fix the existing issue.
• A damaged sewer pipe exists under major landscaping: Spare the expense of digging up and replacing landscaping and reroute the pipe section.
• New construction sits atop your old pipe section: A home addition or renovation built over a damaged sewer pipe often makes rerouting more practical than tunneling for repairs — especially if you’re already relocating taps and plumbing fixtures.

When not to choose rerouting: Don’t choose pipe rerouting when a more straightforward, less disruptive, and potentially more cost-effective repair or replacement option is truly viable for the actual problem.

For instance, if the issue is a single, isolated break in an otherwise healthy pipe in an easily accessible area, a spot repair would be far more sensible.

Rerouting is also not a good a option for interior drain issues, such as a bathroom or utility room centrally located in your home.

What’s your project going to cost? Get current answers on local pricing in our updated Dallas sewer line repair and replacement cost guide.

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✅ Mother Modern Plumbing’s Recommendation

Ultimately, choosing between partial sewer replacement and pipe rerouting is all about accessibility.

Choose partial sewer line replacement when there are multiple leaks, cracks or systemic issues in a pipe section.

Choose pipe rerouting when your damaged pipe section is inaccessible, and direct repairs would create costly disruptions to your foundation or landscaping.

TABLE: Partial Sewer Line Replacement vs. Pipe Rerouting Use Cases

📞 Call Mother for Dallas Sewer Line Repair and Replacement

Still not sure which repair is right for your Dallas home? Worried your current plumbing quotes are too high, too invasive or incomplete?

Call Mother for a thorough inspection of your Dallas sewer line. We’ll identify the problem with our non-invasive sewer camera inspection and hydrostatic testing services. Then, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each service option in simple terms, with no pressure.

Whether you need simple spot repairs, a partial sewer line replacement, or a fresh reroute of your pipes, trust our plumbing experts for an honest second opinion and a long-term solution for your home.

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