By Absolute Excavating LLC · October 2, 2026 · Colorado Springs, CO

How Long Does Sewer Line Replacement Take in Colorado Springs?

Most residential sewer line replacements in Colorado Springs are completed in 1–2 days on site. Before that comes a camera inspection (about an hour), a written estimate, the City of Colorado Springs permit and a Colorado 811 utility locate. Depth, length, our dense clay and decomposed granite soil, and what sits on top of the line (driveways, trees, landscaping) decide whether a job lands at one day or two.

Step	What happens
Camera inspection	About an hour; finds the failure and its depth
Written estimate	Spot repair, lining or replacement, and the price
Permit + 811 locate	City permit filed; buried utilities marked
Excavation + replacement	Most residential jobs: 1–2 days on site
Verify + close out	Camera check, City inspection, backfill and restore

What happens before anyone digs?

The job starts with a sewer camera inspection. An HD camera runs the length of the line from the cleanout, and the problem is located and marked on the surface with its depth. That hour decides everything that follows: whether you need a spot repair, trenchless lining where the pipe qualifies, or a full replacement. You get a written estimate that says which and why.

Next come the permit and the locate. Sewer replacements in the city need a permit with the City of Colorado Springs, which we file and close out. Buried gas, power and communication lines are marked through Colorado 811 before excavation, so the dig is safe and nobody hits a line.

What happens on replacement day?

Excavate at the marked spot. Because the camera located the failure, we open the ground where the problem is, not along the whole yard.
Remove and replace the failed pipe. The damaged section or the full run comes out and new pipe goes in at the correct slope.
Camera the new line. The repair is checked on video before anything is buried.
Inspection, backfill and restore. The City inspection is completed, the trench is backfilled and compacted, and the yard is put back.

Most residential replacements finish in 1–2 days. Water service to the house usually stays on; you just cannot use the drains while the line is open, and we tell you exactly when that window starts and ends.

What makes a sewer replacement take longer?

Depth. Deeper lines mean more excavation and more shoring.
Length and access. A long run, a line under a driveway, mature trees or a tight side yard adds time.
Soil. El Paso County's dense clay and decomposed granite dig slower than sandy soil.
Work at the street. A failure near the city main or under the street involves more coordination than one in the yard.
Weather. Frozen ground and heavy storms can push a dig back a day.

Is trenchless faster than digging?

Often, when the pipe qualifies. If the camera shows the line is cracked or root-damaged but still holds its shape, trenchless lining can rebuild it from the inside with minimal digging. A collapsed, separated or badly bellied line needs excavation. The camera makes that call, and the estimate tells you which applies to your line. Our sewer line repair page covers all three options.

From the Field — Absolute Excavating

Every replacement we do follows the same order: camera, written price, permit and locate, dig one hole in the right place, camera again, then restore. That order is why most of our residential jobs are done in a day or two and why the yard does not look like a construction site afterward. Matt Peterson is on every job and gives you a realistic schedule before work begins.

What should you do if your sewer line is failing now?

If you have backups in more than one fixture, call 719-882-1893 today; we respond same day when we can. For slow drains or gurgling, start with a camera inspection, and read the 7 warning signs your sewer line is failing to judge how urgent it is.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay in my house during sewer line replacement?

Yes. Most homeowners stay home. Water usually stays on, but you cannot use sinks, toilets, showers or appliances that drain while the sewer line is open. On most residential jobs that window is within the 1–2 days on site, and we tell you exactly when it starts and ends.

Do I need a permit to replace a sewer line in Colorado Springs?

Yes. A sewer line replacement in the city requires a permit with the City of Colorado Springs, and the work is inspected before the trench is closed. We file the permit and close it out as part of the job, so it is not something you have to arrange.

How long does a sewer spot repair take compared to a full replacement?

A spot repair on a single crack or break is usually faster because only one section is opened and replaced. A full replacement of the line takes longer, but most residential replacements are still done in 1–2 days. The camera inspection shows which one your line needs.

Why does sewer replacement cost and time vary so much?

Depth, length, access and soil drive both. A shallow line in an open yard is quicker than a deep line under a driveway, and El Paso County's dense clay and decomposed granite take longer to dig than sandy soil. A written estimate after a camera inspection accounts for all of it.

Find Out What Your Line Needs

Camera first. Written price before we dig. Matt Peterson on every job. Serving Colorado Springs, Fountain, Security-Widefield & El Paso County.

✆ Request Free Estimate

Or call directly: 719-882-1893 · Mon–Sat 8am–6pm