Collapsed Sewer Line Repair — Delaware County, PA
Collapsed Sewer Line Repair in Delaware County, PA
Emergency Diagnosis & Trenchless Repair for Collapsed or Crushed Sewer Lines
A collapsed sewer line is the worst-case scenario for a sewer lateral — the pipe has caved in completely, blocking all flow. In Delaware County, collapses happen most often in pre-1960 clay tile and Orangeburg pipe (a tar-paper composite used in the 1940s-50s that has a roughly 50-year lifespan). Ground movement from freeze-thaw cycles, heavy vehicle traffic over shallow laterals, and soil saturation during wet winters all accelerate collapse. Once a pipe collapses, no amount of clearing restores it — the pipe must be repaired or replaced.
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Diagnosing a Collapsed Sewer Line
Camera inspection is the only reliable way to confirm a collapse versus a severe blockage. We run an HD camera through the full lateral from cleanout to municipal main. A collapse shows as a wall of debris with no pipe structure visible. We mark the GPS location of the collapse, measure the depth, and determine whether CIPP lining is viable or whether the section requires replacement.
Repair Options for a Collapsed Sewer Line
- Pipe Bursting — For collapsed sections where the pipe path is intact, we pull a bursting head through the old pipe while simultaneously pulling in new HDPE pipe behind it. No digging for the pipe run itself — only small access pits at each end.
- Trenchless Sewer Replacement — For longer collapsed runs, we install new pipe via directional boring. Preserves landscaping, driveways, and hardscape.
- Open-Cut Replacement — For shallow pipes near the foundation or where trenchless is not viable, we excavate the collapsed section and replace with PVC. Faster and less expensive for short sections.
- CIPP Spot Lining — For partial collapses where the pipe is deformed but not fully blocked, spot lining can restore roundness and structural integrity without full replacement.
Signs Your Sewer Line May Have Collapsed
- Complete sewage backup — nothing drains at all
- Sewage smell in yard or foundation area
- Sunken or soft spots in the yard over the sewer line path
- Unusually lush green grass in a strip across the yard
- Multiple failed attempts to clear a backup by snaking
Orangeburg Pipe in Delaware County
If your home was built between 1945 and 1965, there is a high probability your sewer lateral is Orangeburg — a compressed tar-paper pipe that was cheaply manufactured during the post-war housing boom. Orangeburg pipe has an expected lifespan of 50 years. Every Orangeburg lateral in Delaware County is now past its design life and collapsing on schedule. Camera inspection shows the characteristic oval deformation before full collapse occurs.
Delaware County Coverage
Emergency collapsed sewer line repair across Delaware County: Springfield, Upper Darby, Chester, Havertown, Media, Drexel Hill, Swarthmore, Wallingford, Newtown Square, and all surrounding municipalities.