Had a blockage located(via camera) in the sewer pipe line about 6 feet outside the driveway entrance. The pipe was shattered. This procedure involved tearing the street up and replacing about 2 feet of the PVC pipe. My pipe was in perfect condition up to that point where it looked like someone hit it with a hammer. The price for this is astronomical. Apparently we are responsible for the line up to where it connects to the main sewer line. Since it is off my property, insurance won't cover it. I don't feel this was a freak of nature. A PVC pipe just doesn't break like that. What would cause that? Was it shoddy workmanship when installed or another utility company awhile back hit it or something? I just can't see paying that kind of money if it was someone else's fault. What do you think? House is 32 years old.46339

I guess I would need to know the depth this pipe was at to really be able to offer much of an answer. If the pipe was deep down (2-3 feet down or lower) then my guess is that a rock got thrown into the pit before they backfilled the trench and then when they compacted the dirt over the pipe they drove the rock into the pipe and it cracked and broke over time. If the pipe is buried less than a foot or so below ground then it is possible that the pipe got driven over years ago and finally cracked, broke, and filled with dirt, etc..

At this point, I don't see there is much you can do about it. Certainly is a shame to see such stuff, especially knowing what things cost nowadays!

I wish I could offer more...

Mark

I think that mass has a reasonable theory there with the rock in the original backfill and may have taken years to finally create a blockage. Or utility work done for other purposes later, especially if another utility line crosses the road above or below your line. If there was fairly recent work in the area you might be able to make a case (big might), but unless someone witnessed a strike on your pipe it will still be tough to prove. How deep was the line at the location of the repair?

They dug 6-8 feet deep.46346