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Guides · Plumbing and water

Sewer line: maintenance schedule and lifespan

What your sewer line needs and how often, how long it usually lasts, and what replacing it tends to cost.

50–100 yearstypical service life
$5,000–$15,000typical installed replacement
1 jobto keep on a schedule

The maintenance schedule

every 5 years

How often should you camera inspection?

Worth doing on older homes or lots with mature trees. A typical schedule is every 5 years.

How long does your sewer line last?

Usually 50 to 100 years. Where yours sits in that range depends on when it went in and how it's been looked after, which is why the install year is the most useful thing to write down. Something past its typical life isn't due for replacing on that account: most things are run until they fail. It's a reason to put money aside, not to spend it.

What does replacing it cost?

Roughly $5,000 to $15,000 installed in the U.S. Treat it as a range for budgeting until you have a quote.

Generic schedules start from the calendar. Yours should start from your house. Keeping House takes the year each system went in and works out what's due and when, sends the reminders, and keeps the history a buyer or insurer will ask for.

Start your home's record, freeSee a sample report

Related guides

Intervals and lifespans are typical figures for U.S. homes, in line with commonly cited industry ranges; costs are rough installed prices in 2026 dollars. Your manufacturer's manual and local conditions come first.