Drainage pipes-known as sewer lines-are usually made of PVC or ABS black plastic. However, older sewer lines can be made of lead, cast iron or clay. Damage to an underground sewer line can be caused by the ground shifting or even a slight earthquake. With no room to leverage the pipe to fit new rigid plastic couplings, a new piece of pipe is installed using flexible rubber couplings. Once the hole has been dug, the job is fairly simple to carry out.
Dig a hole down to the area of broken sewer pipe. Make sure that 6 inches of earth is removed below the broken pipe area.
Push flexible rubber couplings fully onto each of the existing cut pipe ends. Apply soapy water around each pipe end if the coupling is hard to slip on.