When a sewer line is cracked, collapsed or choked with roots in too many places, replacement is the honest answer. It's a significant job, but it's also a permanent one: a new line with sealed joints and smooth walls ends the cycle of backups, snaking calls and worry every time it rains.
Markham's older neighbourhoods are where we do most of this work. Clay laterals in Unionville, Markham Village and Thornhill are reaching the end of their service life, and mature trees — the same ones that make these streets beautiful — are usually involved. We replace the line with modern pipe, coordinate the permit and City inspection, and verify the result with a camera before we call it done.
Sewer Line Replacement Around Markham
The streets we replace the most sewers on are the prettiest ones — mature trees in Unionville, Markham Village and Thornhill whose roots have spent decades working into clay joints. If your line has been snaked for roots more than once, the camera will usually show why replacement ends up cheaper than the cycle of emergency calls.
Many Markham homes from the 1990s and 2000s are also reaching the age where settlement sags appear in newer plastic lines. Replacement isn't only an old-house job — it's a condition job, and the camera tells us which one you're facing.
Signs You Need Sewer Line Replacement
These signs point toward replacement rather than another cleaning:
- Backups that keep returning. If the line has been snaked repeatedly and backs up again within months, the pipe itself is the problem.
- Camera shows cracks, offsets or collapse. Structural damage doesn't heal. A camera inspection showing broken or separated sections means replacement is the real fix.
- Roots throughout the line. Roots in one spot can be cut. Roots entering at multiple joints along a clay line mean the pipe has failed as a system.
- A sag or belly holding water. A settled section that permanently holds water collects debris and will never drain properly, no matter how often it's cleaned.
- Sewage surfacing in the yard. Wet, foul-smelling patches or unusually lush grass over the line's path indicate leaking joints or a break.
- The line is original clay or Orangeburg. Pipes at or past their expected lifespan are living on borrowed time, and planned replacement beats emergency replacement.
How We Do It
- 1
Confirm with a camera
We inspect the full line and show you exactly what's failed and where, so the decision to replace is based on evidence, not a guess.
- 2
Plan the route and method
We map the line's path and depth, discuss traditional excavation versus trenchless options where suitable, and explain the trade-offs honestly.
- 3
Permits and locates
Replacement work requires a permit and City inspection, and utility locates are arranged before digging begins.
- 4
Replace the line
The old pipe is removed or bypassed and the new line is installed on proper bedding at the correct slope, with cleanouts at accessible points.
- 5
Inspection and verification
The City inspects the work, and we run our camera through the finished line so you can see the result yourself.
- 6
Backfill and restore
The trench is compacted in lifts to prevent settling, and surfaces are restored as agreed before we leave.
Why Choose Markham Plumbing
We replace sewer lines the way we'd want ours replaced: once, properly, with proof at the end.
- Camera evidence before and after — you see why it was needed and that it's fixed
- Permit and City inspection handled as part of the job
- Honest comparison of excavation and trenchless options
- Cleanouts installed for easy future access
- Careful restoration of yards, gardens and driveways
- Clear pricing agreed before work starts
Sewer Line Replacement FAQs
Can a sewer line be replaced without digging up the yard?
Sometimes. Trenchless methods like pipe bursting or lining work in many situations, but not all — a collapsed or badly sagged line may still need excavation. The camera inspection tells us which options your line qualifies for, and we explain both honestly.
How long does sewer line replacement take?
Most residential replacements take two to four days of on-site work, plus permit and inspection scheduling. Winter conditions can extend excavation time.
Is the City responsible for any part of my sewer line?
Generally, the homeowner is responsible for the lateral on private property, and the City for the municipal sewer beyond the property line. The camera inspection shows where a problem sits, which determines whose issue it is.
How long will a new sewer line last?
Modern plastic pipe with sealed joints is expected to last many decades — typically 50 years or more — and its smooth, joint-free interior is far more resistant to roots and buildup than clay.
Should I replace the line before finishing my basement?
If the line is old or showing problems, yes. Replacing it before thousands of dollars of finishes go in is far cheaper than after a backup damages them.