Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my sewer line needs to be fully replaced instead of rodded?

If you're rodding — running a cable through the line to clear it — more than once a year, or a camera shows the clay sections have shifted apart, the pipe has collapsed, or there's a sag where water sits, clearing it again won't hold. Full replacement swaps the whole 70-year-old pipe run for a new plastic pipe that roots can't get into.

What's the difference between trenchless replacement and pipe lining?

Trenchless replacement (a new pipe pulled through the old one's path) breaks the old clay pipe outward with a pulling head while dragging a continuous new plastic pipe in behind it. Pipe lining feeds a resin-soaked felt tube inside a pipe that's still round, where it hardens into a solid shell. If the pipe has collapsed or has a sag where water sits, it can't be lined — you'll usually need trenchless replacement or digging a trench.

Does the City of Wheaton reimburse homeowners for sewer replacement?

The City of Wheaton runs the Sanitary Sewer Service Line Reimbursement Program, which has covered a portion of eligible costs for replacing or lining a private line — confirm current terms with Wheaton Public Works. Wheaton also runs a separate Residential Sewer Backup Prevention Program for overhead sewer and backflow work inside the house. Read the official City of Wheaton Sewer Reimbursement Programs page and check the current rules with Wheaton Public Works before you start any work.

How much does sewer line replacement cost in Wheaton?

Trenchless replacement and pipe lining generally run between $5,000 and $14,000, while digging a trench runs from $5,500 to $15,000+. The final price depends on how deep the line sits, how long the run is, what's on top of it (like a driveway), and city permit fees for work in the strip between the sidewalk and the street.

What happens when I call 630-228-9042?

Calls are answered 24/7 by an automated assistant that takes your address and what's happening, then sends the details to a local sewer contractor. The contractor calls you back to set up a camera scope and hand you a written estimate before any work begins.