Sewer Line Replacement in Greeley, CO

Thinking about sewer line replacement in Greeley? Before anyone digs, make sure the whole line really needs to go. Call SewerProof Greeley to talk to a local sewer pro who checks the pipe with a camera first, then walks you through the cost, the permit and how long the work will take.

Call (970) 771-0141See typical costs

Talk to a local sewer pro

Thinking about a new sewer line?

Tell us what’s happening. A local pro will explain your options and what a camera inspection would show.

Call (970) 771-0141
  • Camera check before any replacement
  • Written, line-by-line quote
  • Greeley, Evans, Johnstown and Windsor
  • Answered 24/7, nights and weekends
  • Camera check before any dig
  • Price explained before work starts
  • Local Greeley-area sewer pros

When does a sewer line need to be replaced?

A sewer line usually needs replacing when the problem runs along the pipe, not in one spot. One crack or one bad joint can often be fixed on its own. A pipe that is failing in many places, or has collapsed, is a different story.

Fix one section or replace the line?Two sewer lines from a house to the city main. In the first, the camera finds one bad spot and the rest of the pipe is sound, so only that section is fixed. In the second, damage shows up along much of the line, so a new line is usually the better fix.One bad spot, rest of the pipe soundUsually fixed with a spot repair or a short linerFix this sectionCity mainDamage along much of the lineUsually a new line, by digging or pipe burstingReplace the lineCity main

Signs that point toward a full replacement:

  • Backups keep coming back after every clearing The line gets cleared, works for a few weeks, then backs up again.
  • The camera shows damage in several places Many cracked joints, roots at joint after joint, or long sections out of shape.
  • The pipe has collapsed Nothing can pass through, and a camera may not get past the break.
  • The pipe material itself is failing Old cast iron can rust through along the bottom of the pipe. Older fiber pipe called Orangeburg can flatten out of round. Clay pipe can crack and separate at many joints.
  • A long section sags A low spot (belly) that runs for many feet keeps holding water and waste.

If only one of these shows up in one spot, ask about a smaller repair first.

Repair or replace? Let the camera decide

The camera footage should drive the decision, not the size of the quote. Here is how common camera findings usually line up with the fix:

What the camera shows

What it usually means

Roots in the line, pipe still round and solid

Clearing and a follow-up check, not a new line

One crack or one bad joint

A spot repair or a liner over that section

A small offset joint, water still flowing past

Often no repair yet, or a small one. Get a second opinion.

One sagging section that holds water

That section dug up and re-sloped

Cracks, root entry or offsets along much of the line

Full replacement is often the better long-term fix

A collapsed or crushed pipe

Replacement, with digging at least at the collapse

Ask for a copy of the footage and the distance to each problem. The distance shows where the crew will work and whether the damage is in one spot or spread along the line.

Exposed section of PVC sewer pipe with a repair coupling in a dug-out pit

Not sure you need a whole new line?

A camera inspection shows whether one section can be fixed or the whole line needs replacing. Call and talk it through first.

Call (970) 771-0141

What does a new sewer line cost?

Good news first: many sewer problems don’t need a full replacement at all. Fixing one bad section often costs far less than a new line. When the whole line does need replacing, most jobs in this part of Colorado land in the low-to-mid thousands. Our sewer line repair cost page breaks down every price.

Job

Typical 2026 range

Fixing one bad section instead of the whole line

$600 to $1,050

Full sewer line replacement, most jobs

Typically up to about $6,500

Full replacement, smaller jobs

Can start under $1,000

Permits, inspections and fees

$400 to $1,000

Where your job falls depends on the length of the line, how deep it sits and what’s on top of it, like lawn or concrete. Your exact price is set after a camera inspection, so you know the real number before any work starts.

What’s in a sewer replacement quote

A good quote lists each part of the job, so you can compare one company with another. Check that yours covers:

  • Camera inspection and locating the line, with the footage
  • Permit and City inspection fees
  • Digging or access pits, with the depth and length planned
  • New pipe and fittings, including tracer wire so the line can be found later
  • The connection at the city main, and how the City handles it
  • A cleanout, if the line needs a new one
  • Backfill and compaction of the trench
  • Restoration: lawn, sprinklers, driveway or sidewalk
  • Hauling away the old pipe and extra soil
  • The warranty, in writing

Ask what could change the price once work starts, like a second break, rock, or a deeper pipe than expected. Two quotes for the same line can be far apart when one leaves out restoration or permits.

Digging or trenchless: which fits your line?

There are two main ways to put in a new sewer line in Greeley:

  • Traditional dig A trench is opened along the line, the old pipe comes out, and new pipe goes in. It works for almost any line, including collapsed pipe and lines that need a new slope.
  • Pipe bursting A new pipe is pulled through the old one from a pit at each end, breaking the old pipe apart as it goes. It saves most of the yard, driveway and landscaping above the line.

Bursting is not a fit for every line. A deep sag that needs re-sloping, or a collapse that blocks the path, usually means digging, at least in that spot. If the line runs under a driveway, patio or big tree, bursting can save more in restoration than it costs. Our trenchless sewer repair page explains lining and bursting in more detail.

Sewer line replacement in Greeley, CO: aerial view of a mini excavator digging the trench for a new line

How a sewer line replacement job runs, step by step

Here is how a typical Greeley sewer line replacement goes from first call to finished yard:

  • 1 Camera inspection. A local sewer pro runs a camera, finds the problems and measures how far away they are.
  • 2 Quote and plan. You get a written quote with the method, the route and what gets restored.
  • 3 Permit. The contractor pulls the permit with the City before work starts.
  • 4 Utility locate. Before digging, the contractor calls Colorado 811 so gas, water, power and cable lines are marked.
  • 5 Digging or access pits. The crew opens the trench, or the two pits for bursting.
  • 6 New pipe goes in. The old pipe comes out, or is burst in place, and new pipe is laid at the right slope.
  • 7 City inspection. The open trench is inspected before it is filled. Greeley’s inspection form for sewer services is marked “do not backfill” until the inspection is signed.
  • 8 Backfill and testing. The trench is filled and packed down, and the line is tested with water.
  • 9 Restoration. Lawn, sprinklers and concrete are put back as the quote says.

How long does sewer line replacement take?

A simple replacement often takes one to two days. A longer or deeper line can take a few more. The City inspection, and new concrete that needs time to cure, can add a little time. Your contractor should give you the schedule before work starts.

Can you use your water during the work? Your water service usually stays on, but you can’t send water down the drains while the sewer line is open. That means no toilets, showers, laundry or dishwasher during that window. Ask the crew how many hours the line will be disconnected so you can plan around it.

Do you need a permit to replace a sewer line in Greeley?

Yes. Greeley requires permits for regulated plumbing work, and sewer service work is inspected before the trench is filled back in. The City handles permits through its eTRAKiT system. State plumbing rules in Colorado also require a permit and inspection.

In most cases your contractor pulls the permit and schedules the inspection. Ask to see the permit number before work starts. If the line runs under a street or public sidewalk, ask whether extra City approval is needed for that part.

What pipe goes in a new sewer line in Greeley?

The City’s standard for new sewer service lines is PVC SDR 35 pipe, 4 or 6 inches wide. The standard also calls for:

  • Slope At least 1% (1/8 inch per foot), and no more than 8%.
  • Tracer wire So the line can be found and located later.
  • A cleanout on your property Cleanouts aren’t allowed in the public right-of-way or sewer easement.
  • One sewer service line per building No line may cross onto a neighbor’s lot.

If a contractor plans pipe bursting or a different type of pipe, ask them to confirm the pipe meets City requirements before you sign.

The Colorado Geological Survey notes that parts of the state’s Eastern Slope sit on soils that can swell and shrink. Ground movement like that can crack pipe or create low spots. A new line laid at the right slope, on well-packed bedding, holds up better in those conditions.

Your yard, driveway and sidewalk: what gets put back?

Restoration is where quotes differ the most. Before you sign, find out:

  • Is the trench filled, packed and leveled, or just filled?
  • Is grass replaced with seed, sod, or not at all?
  • Are broken sprinkler lines repaired?
  • Is driveway or sidewalk concrete replaced, and who pays for it?
  • What happens if the trench settles a few months later?

Get the answers in writing. A lower quote that leaves out concrete and sod can cost more in the end.

Greeley sewer line replacement before and after: an open trench across the yard, then the same yard filled back in

Want a quote you can actually compare?

Ask a local sewer pro for a written, line-by-line quote before any digging starts.

Call (970) 771-0141

Who pays for a new sewer line: you or the City?

In Greeley, the homeowner is responsible for the sewer service line, also called the lateral, from the house to the city main. The City maintains the public sewer main. That means a sewer replacement in Greeley on your side of the main is usually your cost. Not sure which side the problem is on? A camera inspection shows exactly where it sits before you pay for any work.

Who is responsible for a Greeley sewer lineDiagram: the sewer line runs from the house past the cleanout to the property line and on to the City sewer main under the street. The homeowner is responsible for the service line from the house to the main. The City of Greeley maintains the public sewer main.Your homeCleanoutYour sewer service lineHomeowner maintainsProperty lineStreetCity sewer mainCity of Greeley maintains

Questions to ask before you sign

  • Can I see the camera footage, and can I keep a copy?
  • Does the whole line need replacing, or just one section?
  • Is the price for the whole job or per foot? When could it change?
  • Who pulls the permit, and when is the City inspection?
  • What exactly gets restored, and is it in the quote?
  • What warranty comes with the new line, and is it in writing?
  • What is your Colorado plumbing license number?

If the quote is large and nobody has shown you the footage, a second opinion is normal.

Frequently asked questions

If only one section is bad, the cheapest fix is often not a full replacement at all, but a repair of that section. For a full line, a dig is often cheaper on open lawn, while pipe bursting can cost less overall when the line runs under concrete, landscaping or trees, because there is less to put back.

Not always. If the camera shows one crack, one bad joint or one low spot, that section can often be fixed on its own. Full replacement makes sense when damage runs along much of the line or the pipe material is failing.

Usually not under a standard policy. Colorado’s Division of Insurance describes a separate service line endorsement that covers damaged utility lines on your property, including sewer pipe. Check your policy and call your agent before work starts.

A properly installed PVC line is expected to last for decades. Good bedding, the right slope and a cleanout for easy access all help it last.

Many replacements add one. Under Greeley’s standards, a sewer cleanout must be on your property, not in the public right-of-way. Ask whether a cleanout is included in your quote.

Ask about pipe bursting. If the old pipe is still in line and the slope is right, a new pipe can be pulled through from small pits at each end, leaving the driveway in place.

Talk to a local pro about your sewer line

Tell them what’s happening, ask for the camera footage, and get a written quote before any digging starts. One call gets you talking to a local sewer pro who handles sewer pipe replacement in Greeley and nearby towns.

Call (970) 771-0141