Homes built before 1980 in Albany and Schenectady commonly have clay or cast-iron sewer laterals. They fail in predictable ways, and a camera inspection tells you which one you have in about twenty minutes.
The three common failures
Root intrusion at clay joints, bellied sections where soil settled and waste now pools, and full collapses where cast iron rusted through from the inside.
Symptoms
Repeated whole-house backups, gurgling in floor drains when the washer drains, sewage smell in the yard, and unusually lush green stripes over the line.
Camera first
Never let anyone dig your yard before scoping the line. A camera locates the exact defect and depth, which is the difference between a $3,500 spot repair and a $15,000 full replacement.
Costs
Spot repairs typically run $2,500-$6,000. Full lateral replacement to the street runs $8,000-$20,000 depending on depth, length, and whether a road cut permit is required.
Frequently asked questions
- Who owns the sewer lateral?
- In most Capital Region municipalities, the homeowner owns the line from the house to the main, including under the street. Confirm with your town.
- Should I scope a house before buying?
- On anything pre-1980, absolutely. It's cheap insurance.
