I was digging in my backyard with my pick ax and hit something hard, thinking it was a rock, which I frequently find, I took one more swing. Suddenly I noticed that I was bringing up pieces of clay piping and discovered that I had broken my sewer line, ( the part that provides access to the line from near the surface). Since I've only broken a small section, is there any chance that I can replace the one section? If not, is there any chance that I can patch this section until I can afford a plumber. I'm retired and it takes time to save a few thousand dollars. Please help?

It depends, Discribethe break, Is it just the top part of the pipe?'
If so it can be patched, Back to you, tom

It depends, Discribethe break, Is it just the top part of the pipe?'
If so it can be patched, Back to you, tom

Thanks sppdball1! Yes the break is at the top but I've opened almost the entire length of the section of pipe, maybe 8 or 9 inches.

Describe the break in detail . How wide? Is it just on top or does it extend down farther? If the break isn't too severe I can give you a temporary patch until you can get the bad section replaced. Tom

Describe the break in detail . How wide? Is it just on top or does it extend down farther? If the break isn't too severe I can give you a temporary patch until you can get the bad section replaced., Tom


After digging completely around the damaged clay pipe I have found the following:
1. What I actually broke was the part of the pipe
That has a lid resting atop it. I broke the lip
That supports the lid. So I have an opening
4" in diameter. There is no damage to the
rest of the pipe at all.

2. The Pipe coming from the house however has a
rather large root beneath it which has caused it
to be pushed up and has broken a small section
of the wide lip of the pipe I originally struck.
There is a 1/4" gap between two pipes at the
Top.

I hope this is something I can patch because as I menioned, I'm retired
And it takes a while for me to save money for repairs. By the way. You said that I might effect temporary repairs. How Temporary is Temporary?

Thank you!

Let's see if I understand. Can you take a picture of the damage? I had thought you broke through the top of the horizontal line in the ground. It now sounds like you broke a piece off the hub of a tee with a raiser with a cleanout brought to grade, Am I correct so far? Is the 8 or 9 inch piece the vertical raiser? How much of the hub did you break? Is the rest 9of the hub intact? Is there enough left to pack in some okum and cement the joint? Cover the opening for tonight and get back to me. Regards Tom

Let's see if I understand. Can you take a picture of the damage? I had thought you broke through the top of the horizontal line in the ground. It now sounds like you broke a piece off the hub of a tee with a raiser with a cleanout brought to grade, Am I correct so far? Is the 8 or 9 inch piece the vertical raiser? How much of the hub did you break? Is the rest 9of the hub intact? Is there enough left to pack in some okum and cement the joint? Cover the opening for tonight and get back to me. Regards Tom

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. All that seems to be broken is what I think you called the riser. The pipe is in tackt and so is the cleanout opening I only broke the vertical riser. I can not take a picture but if I look down at the pipe I see the 4" hole the riser fit on is in perfect shape. As I look further up the pipe I see the lip that fits over the end of the next pipe is only slightly broken from a root beneath the pipe. There is a slight gap of about 1/4" or less along the edge between the two pipes. The more I talk to you, the more I think my problem isn't as big as I thought.

You're correct Henry,
I really think the clean out's a minor problem, The root is what concerns me. This means that smaller roots are free to enter.
You should have this looked after as soon as possible.
Good luck, Tom