If you own or are buying a home in Knob Hill, a surprise sewer issue can turn a smooth move or remodel into a costly headache. Older East Colorado Springs homes often have clay or cast iron laterals that are vulnerable to roots and shifting soils. The good news is you can catch problems early with a simple camera scope and choose a repair that fits your budget. In this guide, you’ll learn what to look for, when to schedule a scope, what repairs cost, and how to plan maintenance that keeps your line flowing. Let’s dive in.
What a sewer lateral is
Your private sewer lateral is the pipe that runs from your home to the public sewer main in the street or alley. Property owners are typically responsible for the lateral. Before any repair or replacement, check permit and inspection requirements with City of Colorado Springs Utilities and the El Paso County Building Division so you understand rules, timelines, and fees.
Why Knob Hill lines fail
Many Knob Hill homes were built before the 1960s, when vitrified clay and cast iron were common. These materials age differently and are prone to joint separation, corrosion, and cracks. In mid‑century homes, you may also see Orangeburg or early PVC.
Local conditions add stress to older lines. Freeze–thaw cycles and seasonal ground movement can shift pipe joints. In parts of El Paso County, expansive clay or shallow bedrock can misalign runs and deepen offsets. Mature street and yard trees in older neighborhoods push roots into any small opening they find.
Common problems and warning signs
Typical issues found during camera scopes in older laterals include:
- Root intrusion through joints or cracks that creates blockages and widens gaps over time
- Bellies or sags that collect solids and lead to recurring clogs
- Joint separation or offsets that allow infiltration and can precede collapse
- Cracks, holes, and corrosion in clay and cast iron
- Collapsed or crushed sections caused by age or surface loads
- Grease and debris buildup, especially from kitchens
- Misaligned or missing cleanouts that make service harder and more expensive
Watch for slow drains, gurgling toilets, sewage odors near the foundation, or soft or unusually green spots in the yard. If you have to snake lines often and only get temporary relief, it is time for a scope.
When to schedule a sewer scope
- Buyers: Schedule a camera scope during your inspection contingency. Complete it before waiving contingencies so you can negotiate repairs or credits if needed.
- Sellers: Scope before listing to avoid last‑minute surprises. If defects exist, get written estimates and decide whether to repair or disclose with pricing.
- Remodels: Scope before you reconfigure kitchens or baths, replace fixtures, or regrade the yard. Remodels can trigger permit reviews and code upgrades.
A typical CCTV inspection takes 30 to 90 minutes. Expect to schedule within a few days to a week depending on contractor availability.
How to hire for a scope
Choose a sewer or plumbing contractor that performs CCTV inspections and can provide:
- Full video and still images plus a written report
- Measured distances to each defect from the cleanout or house
- Pipe material, diameter, slope, depth, and length to the main
- Clear explanations and repair options
If possible, work with inspectors trained in NASSCO/PACP standards for consistent defect coding. This helps you compare quotes and plan the right fix.
Scope day checklist
- Call Colorado 811 before any excavation or when locating utilities.
- Ask for a PDF/video report and an itemized repair quote that includes defect locations.
- Confirm whether permits and inspections are included in bids.
- If lining is proposed, ask whether branch laterals will be reinstated and how that is priced.
- If the camera cannot reach the main due to a blockage or collapse, discuss next steps, which may include accessing the line from the street side.
What repairs cost in Knob Hill–type homes
Costs vary with length, depth, access, and surface restoration. Recent consumer cost guides and trade references indicate:
- CCTV inspection: about $150 to $600
- Hydro‑jetting or mechanical root removal: a few hundred dollars to $700 plus, depending on severity
- Trenchless CIPP lining: roughly $80 to $250 per linear foot, with many residential jobs between $2,500 and $10,000
- Pipe bursting (trenchless replacement): often $3,000 to $12,000 plus
- Open‑trench spot repairs: a few hundred to several thousand dollars per location
- Full open‑trench replacement: often $4,000 to $25,000 plus, depending on length, depth, and restoration needs
Use written quotes from reputable contractors to confirm site‑specific pricing and scope.
Repair options in plain English
Cured‑in‑place pipe (CIPP) lining
- Best for: Pipes that are intact but have cracks, small holes, corrosion, or roots. Works on uniform diameter lines without major offsets or long bellies.
- How it works: A resin‑saturated tube is installed inside the existing pipe and cured to create a seamless new liner.
- Pros: Minimal digging, faster completion, less impact on landscaping and driveways, structural improvement with long service life.
- Cons: Does not fix severe bellies or major offsets, and branch lines must be reopened after curing. Diameter change is limited.
- Lifespan: Many sources cite 25 to 50 plus years when installed correctly.
Pipe bursting (trenchless replacement)
- Best for: Heavily degraded or collapsed lines or when you want to upsize the pipe.
- How it works: The old pipe is fractured while a new pipe is pulled into place using access pits.
- Pros: Full pipe replacement with modern materials and potential diameter increase. Less disruption than full trenching in many cases.
- Cons: Requires access pits and adequate workspace. Not ideal near foundations or dense underground obstructions.
Open‑trench spot repairs or full replacement
- Best for: Localized defects that can be dug up directly, or for lines with long bellies, extreme offsets, or routing that prevents trenchless methods.
- Pros: Full control to regrade and re‑slope the line, replace with modern materials, and add cleanouts.
- Cons: Most disruptive and often the most expensive, especially if driveways or mature landscaping must be restored.
Choosing the right fix
- Choose lining if the host pipe is largely continuous and defects are cracks, holes, or roots without severe alignment issues.
- Choose pipe bursting if the pipe is failing or you want a full replacement and workspace allows access pits.
- Choose open‑trench when trenchless methods are infeasible or the line needs re‑routing or re‑grading.
Always request a post‑repair CCTV verification to confirm proper installation and branch reinstatements. Ask contractors which standards they follow, such as ASTM F1216 for CIPP.
Maintenance plan for older Knob Hill homes
A preventive plan lowers risk and spreads costs over time.
- Start with a scope: For buyers or sellers, complete a CCTV inspection during the transaction or pre‑listing phase. Budget $150 to $600.
- Inspection frequency:
- Older clay or cast iron, or lines with known issues: scope every 2 to 4 years.
- Recently lined or newer PVC: scope every 5 to 10 years.
- Routine care:
- Install accessible cleanouts if missing. Permits may be required.
- Cut roots mechanically or hydro‑jet when they first appear, often every 1 to 3 years in high‑risk yards.
- Keep fats, oils, grease, wipes, and other non‑flushables out of drains. Use hair catchers in showers.
- Plan landscaping to keep large‑rooted trees away from the lateral run. Consult local extension guidance on species and spacing.
- Chemical root control: Consider professional foams or gels as a supplement after mechanical cutting, and follow labels and local environmental guidelines.
- Budgeting examples:
- Low risk: $200 to $400 per year for occasional checks and light service.
- Moderate risk: $400 to $1,000 per year for periodic CCTV and hydro‑jetting as needed.
- High risk or pending repair: set aside $3,000 to $12,000 plus for trenchless repairs or $8,000 to $20,000 plus for full replacement, depending on length, depth, and surface restoration.
Buyer, seller, and remodel checklists
Before you buy or list
- Order a CCTV scope during the inspection period or pre‑listing.
- Ask for a written report with video, defect distances, and clear recommendations.
- Call Colorado 811 before any digging. Confirm permits with City of Colorado Springs Utilities and El Paso County.
- Get two to three quotes that compare trenchless and open‑cut options, including permit handling and cleanup.
If you already own
- Confirm you have a yard cleanout and that it is usable.
- Set a reminder to scope every 2 to 5 years based on pipe material and history.
- Budget annually for maintenance and keep a repair contingency fund.
- Manage trees and planting near the expected lateral path.
Planning a remodel
- Scope the lateral before design and permit applications.
- Coordinate with your plumber on any required upgrades, such as new cleanouts or backflow prevention.
- Build potential lateral work into your remodel budget and schedule.
Local permits and responsibility
Property owners are generally responsible for the private lateral from the home to the public main. Replacement work almost always requires a permit, and trenchless methods can require permits as well. Verify current requirements with City of Colorado Springs Utilities and the El Paso County Building Division before scheduling repairs.
The bottom line for Knob Hill
Older Knob Hill and East Colorado Springs homes often have aging clay or cast iron laterals, plus trees and seasonal soils that stress the line. A quick camera scope tells you what you are dealing with and helps you choose the right fix. With the right plan, you can avoid emergencies, protect your remodel timeline, and keep your investment strong.
Ready to plan your scope or talk through repair options and negotiation strategies during a purchase or sale? Schedule your free consultation with the local team at Unknown Company.
FAQs
Should buyers in Knob Hill always get a sewer scope?
- Yes. Older neighborhoods have more jointed clay and cast iron lines with root and joint issues. A scope identifies defects that can be expensive to fix.
Who pays for sewer repairs found during a sale in Colorado Springs?
- It is negotiable. Sellers may repair, offer a credit, or reduce the price. Use written contractor estimates to guide negotiations.
Can roots be permanently eliminated from a sewer line?
- Mechanical cutting and periodic root control reduce regrowth, but permanent relief usually requires lining or replacing the pipe so roots cannot re‑enter.
Is trenchless repair always the cheapest option?
- Not always. Trenchless is often less disruptive and can be cost effective, but feasibility depends on pipe condition, alignment, access, and branch connections.
How long does a cured‑in‑place (CIPP) liner last?
- Many installations are warranted for decades, and industry references often cite 25 to 50 plus years, assuming proper installation and site conditions.
