How can I know if my main sewer has to be replaced rather than just repaired?

I work for a company that replaces Water and Sewer lines. Your Plumber is wrong. We do not dig up a entire line .We can locate their exact position and then We dig down to where the problem is and repair that particular section. From what I understand by Your comment the location is on City property so give Them a call and find out what They recommend.

You need a specialist drainage contractor they can fix damaged sections of your drain without digging the old pipe out and completly replacing it as your plumber is quoting. They use a power snake from an inspection chamber and locate the damaged section with a CCTV camera then pressure wash the complete drain and insert a plastic liner in the damaged area and make a resin repair to the pipe without excavation (which are probably salt glazed ceramic pipe in sections)

This repair technique is very common and long lasting. Where does your responsibility to maintain the drain end and the sewer company take ownership ?

Get a 2nd opinion one from a more realistic plumber. I had a bad clog and the plumber used the CCTV and the sewer snake and he was able to clear up the clog. I also have a lot of Ash tree roots which are pretty invasive and an older home with older plumbing.

it certainly can be repaired, snaked thru and lots of other things before you shell out 8,000.00. that is the best solution, but highly impractical for most homeowners, especially nowadays. I totally agree with you. our old town has the same problems with these sewer lines, all put in in the late 40's. everyone has the same poem, disintegrading sewer lines, but I am determined to snake mine come hell or high water till I sell my place. besides, I cant afford that! your plumber can do the same thing!

could be it's old and part of it broke and fell in (I've seen them and they look like those clay pots plants go in) therefor they can't replace just a piece. When that clay breaks then instead the gunk goes out into the yard rather than into the pipe. So if it's in the alley behind your home, is that part of your property? If so then you have to get it fixed. If not then it could possibly belong to the county or city who would get the pleasure of fixing it. If it doesn't belong to you then get the county or city out there to fix it.

Maybe you can get some kind of city or county loan to get it fixed. Ask.

could be it's old and part of it broke and fell in (I've seen them and they look like those clay pots plants go in) therefor they can't replace just a piece. When that clay breaks then instead the gunk goes out into the yard rather than into the pipe. So if it's in the alley behind your home, is that part of your property? If so then you have to get it fixed. If not then it could possibly belong to the county or city who would get the pleasure of fixing it. If it doesn't belong to you then get the county or city out there to fix it.

Maybe you can get some kind of city or county loan to get it fixed. Ask.

If the the old clay main drain line has been intruded on by tree roots (cottonwood trees are really bad), the problem will persist until you trench in a new PVC main drain line that can't be plugged up by future tree root growth / incursion.

If the clog is in the alley, it looks as if that is city property rather your private responsibility. Get at least a second opinion, and go to city hall or somewhere and look up the regulations on where plumbing creases to be private property.

If it iss outside the boundary of your property, then its not your problem, its your councils problem. You are also correct that only the Blocked section of pipe needs to be replaced as long as the blockage doesn't continue into the next pipe. further down.

It might be that the whole line needs to be replaced, but for that kind of money, I'd want to get two or three estimates from different plumbers.