How Deep are Sewer Lines?

Knowing how deep your sewer lines are is an important part of being a homeowner, especially when upgrading, undertaking repairs, or preparing to develop on a new piece of property. You must know how far down to dig not only to avoid being penalized for non-compliance but also to avoid having your pipes freeze or rupture due to the weather.

If pipes could be placed higher in the ground, it would make digging a trench a lot easier and faster. Unfortunately, that is not the case because of the boundaries that need to be carefully considered to ensure that the pipes can last in their initial placement positions. 

If you are looking to bury a sewer line or even dig one up, or just want to know how far down the pipe is buried in the ground, it would be beneficial to continue reading to get all of your questions answered. 

How Deep Are Sewer Lines?

Sewer lines are a home’s or business’s digestive systems. They transport sewage and other wastes from your toilets, drains, shower, dishwasher, and exterior faucets to a treatment facility.

Sewer lines come in a variety of depths. They can range in depth from 12″ to 30″ and can be as deep as 6+ ft. Often, it’s only a matter of the environment and climate. They will bury the line deeper in extremely cold climates to prevent the pipe from freezing solid in the winter.

How Deep Does A Sewer Line Need To Be?

There will be specific guidelines for how far down to dig your sewer pipe trench depending on your state or city.

Begin by making a quick trip to your local municipality’s zoning or building office. The information on existing property maps and sewer lines is usually kept by towns, so you’ll get a straight answer. Aside from that, you might be able to seek advice from local building companies. 

Before filling it in with soil and sod, trenches should be 12-24 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate your pipe securely. As previously stated, in colder climates, this will need to be deeper, otherwise, your sewage would freeze. Frost lines can go as deep as four feet beneath the surface.

Other factors that could impact how deep your sewer line should be are:

Climate

The depth to which you must bury the sewer line depends on the climate you reside in. Sewer companies must bury sewer lines below the frost level in colder climates. This line can change depending on the climate. Because it takes less time to defrost the ground in warmer climates, the frost line may be closer to the surface. There are never temperatures that are cold enough to cause a deep freeze.

Location of the main sewer line

The position of the main sewer line is a crucial aspect to consider when determining how deep to bury your sewer lines. The slope of your sewer pipes should be towards the main sewer line.

You’ll need to know the depth of the main sewer to figure out how much slope you’ll need to build. Otherwise, you could spend days scouring the area for it. The main sewer pipes run right down the middle of the roadway. They’re normally about ten feet below the surface, although they might be a lot deeper.

Once you know the depth and location of the main sewer, you can calculate the slope required for your sewage to flow freely through the pipe and into the main sewer.

Who Do I Contact About Sewer Line Depth? 

There are two great options here. You can reach out to plumbers. You could also reach out to the municipality. Plumbers who have drain specialists and excavators on staff are aware of the codes in your area. They will be able to take care of the job professionally.

They also have specialized tools like sewer line cameras and excavation equipment. A plumber conducting a sewer line camera inspection can find where your main line sewer runs on your property. They can also find how deep it is in the ground and even clean or repair it if necessary.

For a municipality, it’s important to call your city engineering department. They usually handle sewer line issues for your area. On the other hand, try calling someone in your city’s zoning office. Depending on where you live, they might know exactly where your sewer is located and how deep. They might even be able to give you a copy of any documentation, such as your property map.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there is an abundance of information on sewer line depth. If you need this type of work on your property, a plumber that provides sewer repair services or your city municipality would be your go-to people.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need a sewer repair.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.