Reroute Lot Sewer Pipes

[YahkNBahk]

Hi All -

Hope this is the right place to post this. If not, please let me know and I'll move it.
We recently purchased a permanent RV lot (actually a double lot with some friends). The previous owner had his sewer pipe connection for our lot installed in a really goofy place. It sits in the middle of the lot so we need to run our hose across the lot to connect.
I want to reroute it so we can connect on the other side of our trailer and cap the existing connection. I think there is a main line that runs across the front of our property because both our neighbours have their hoses running up to there and I want to tap into that.
We spoke with the resort team about this briefly last fall and they said we can do whatever we want. I have some more questions for them but since this is a seasonal resort and hasnt really opened up yet its hard to get a hold of them and I want to get this done before the season really ramps up.

I would assume the resort would have a layout of the sewer system? Has anyone done this before and any suggestions on how to do it?
Is this something that I could do or would it better to hire a pro? Who would I talk to? There are approved general contractors for the place. Would they be able to do the work?

Thanks!

[Grit_dog]

Far out?
Yeah you need to call someone.
Depending on the scenario of which we have no knowledge of location, topography, grade depth, soil type, etc, this may be very simple or very expensive.
But there’s a few rules with gravity sewer that can’t be broken.
1. Sht flows downhill
2. You have a 1% variation in slope from 1% to 2% slope and no bumps or dips or it won’t work.
3. You’ve already gotten some misleading information in this thread (in general, irrespective of your actual conditions) so be careful of internet advice.
4. Unless you can figure out elevation slope and grade, you can’t even plan how or where to run the line or what to tie into.

It’s likely a very simple job that any halfway lucid plumber could/would do. In lieu of a utility contractor. But you need to know #1,2 and 4 to determine the scope of work required.

[YahkNBahk]

folivier wrote:
Not sure if Canada has this service but here in the states you can call 811 and ask the local utilities to locate their underground lines for you. Then if you hit one it's on them.
Here is Canada: https://call811.com/811-In-Your-State/Canada

Oh far out. This is good to know. Thanks!

[folivier]

Not sure if Canada has this service but here in the states you can call 811 and ask the local utilities to locate their underground lines for you. Then if you hit one it's on them.
Here is Canada: https://call811.com/811-In-Your-State/Canada

[YahkNBahk]

bobsallyh wrote:
Yahk-Bahk, is this in BC or by chance Yuma, AZ.

Yeah it's in BC. About 15 minutes north of the Idaho border. I'm curious too. Is there a Yahk in AZ?

[ssthrd]

bobsallyh wrote:
Yahk-Bahk, is this in BC or by chance Yuma, AZ.

Yahk is is S.E. BC, as shown below his "handle". Is there also a community near Yuma with the same name? Just curious.

[bobsallyh]

Yahk-Bahk, is this in BC or by chance Yuma, AZ.

[JRscooby]

Note sure why sewer line needs to be below frost line.
If liquid is standing in line long enough to freeze likely to build up to a clog no matter what weather.

[YahkNBahk]

CA Traveler wrote:
Rent a pipe finder and locate all pipes, electrical, etc before digging.

Oh that's a great idea. I will do that. Thanks!

[YahkNBahk]

ssthrd wrote:
If you have to go down 10 feet where you are, then from what I see on Google earth, your time would be better spent by contacting a good contractor who is familiar with local conditions, and know proper protocol for your area.

Yes, get as-built drawings for the system. If it's old, then there may not be any, and you will have to will have to rely on local knowledge. Good luck with that.

Make sure that the "approved" contractors are not some fly by night outfit just looking to make a buck.

The first thing that comes to mind is that you are in a river valley, and dry land is flat, and only a few feet above the water level. If you have to dig deep, then you could have more water to deal with than you realize. Guessing that rock will not be a problem.

From 700 miles away, I would say hook on to the existing cleanout that is on the lot, and go from there. It should be relatively shallow which is good as long as you have enough difference in elevation to get from there to where you need to be. If it's above the normal frost line, though, and it will be in use for the winter, then you might have a frozen pipe to deal with. Don't know if they use insulated pipe in that area, but that could be an option. Or a layer of foam insulation over the pipe.

There are indeed more things to think about than most with no experience could ever know. Hopefully this will be simple if you can just extend from what is there.

Yeah the more I think of it tapping into the existing spot makes way more sense. I am going to talk to someone who knows the place. My main concern is the hose running across the lot so as long as that can be resolved I'm ok with whatever method works. Thanks for the feedback!

[CA_Traveler]

Rent a pipe finder and locate all pipes, electrical, etc before digging.

[ssthrd]

If you have to go down 10 feet where you are, then from what I see on Google earth, your time would be better spent by contacting a good contractor who is familiar with local conditions, and know proper protocol for your area.

Yes, get as-built drawings for the system. If it's old, then there may not be any, and you will have to will have to rely on local knowledge. Good luck with that.

Make sure that the "approved" contractors are not some fly by night outfit just looking to make a buck.

The first thing that comes to mind is that you are in a river valley, and dry land is flat, and only a few feet above the water level. If you have to dig deep, then you could have more water to deal with than you realize. Guessing that rock will not be a problem.

From 700 miles away, I would say hook on to the existing cleanout that is on the lot, and go from there. It should be relatively shallow which is good as long as you have enough difference in elevation to get from there to where you need to be. If it's above the normal frost line, though, and it will be in use for the winter, then you might have a frozen pipe to deal with. Don't know if they use insulated pipe in that area, but that could be an option. Or a layer of foam insulation over the pipe.

There are indeed more things to think about than most with no experience could ever know. Hopefully this will be simple if you can just extend from what is there.

[YahkNBahk]

Thank you, wing_zealot. A lot of things I never would've thought of. I do like your suggestion of working from the existing sewer lead. That would be a way better idea. I guess I'll have to wait and see about getting in touch with the resort and see what we are actually dealing with. Thanks again!

[wing_zealot]

There are a lot of variables here. First, who really owns the mainline sewer? You say the resort, but that may not necessarily be true. Generally, a local municipality owns the sewer (there are exceptions, and this may be one). If the local municipality owns the sewer, there is no way they will let you dig down to the mainline sewer and tap it; nor should they. Also, that mailnine sewer could be 9 or 10-feet deep; or more. It would be rare to see one that is not at least 6-feet deep. Are you prepared to excavate that deep for how many ever feet?

Now if you wanted to excavate starting from the end of the existing sewer lead, that may be a more viable alternative. But again, the lead could be several feet deep, possibly at least 5-feet, maybe as much as 10-feet.

Permits could be required, maybe several permits. Also licenses for the type of work (plumbing) could be required. Could the approved general contractor do the work - yes; If you have deep enough pockets. Cost - probably in the neighborhood of $500 - $1000 per hour plus materials (once again, depth becomes a major detrmining factor).

Here is what a typical mainline sewer and lead looks like Clicky

[Grit_dog]

By virtue of the question you asked and how you asked it, yes you should definitely leave it to someone who understands underground utilities construction.
Fwiw, sanitary sewer lines, all of them, mains or laterals are the most critical buried utility for line, grade and slope.
And then there’s everything else as well.