Ballwin, MO Sewer line repairs previously meant tearing up your landscaping and hours of waiting before your water could be turned back on. But now, that's in the past. At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we use new, unintrusive methods such as pipe bursting and pipe lining to minimize your water's downtime and the impact on your lawn.

You can reach us 24/7, so as soon as you notice a problem, call us at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. We're ready today to help your Ballwin, MO home.

On this page, we'll go over:

On this page, you'll learn skills to assist you with noticing clues that point to a broken sewer line, finding the cause, and understanding what repairs will look like. If you're facing issues with your Ballwin, MO home's water, Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.

6 Ballwin, MOSewer Line Damage Signs to Watch Out For:

It's not always obvious when your sewer line is damaged, which makes them tricky to identify. Any one of the below signs on its own may be from something else, but the more that add up, the more likely it is that your Ballwin, MO sewer line needs repairs:

  1. Odor/Smell - A nasty odor that never seems to go away, especially in your backyard, is the clearest indicator that your sewer line is broken. Breathing it excessively can have negative health effects.
  2. Gurgling - When there's a break in your Ballwin, MO house's sewer line, air can get into the pipes and bubbles will spread, causing pervasive gurgling noises.
  3. Slow Drain - Slow drains across all of your home's plumbing are a sign of sewer line damage, particularly if they are still slow after cleaning.
  4. Green and/or Soggy Yard - If your backyard has strange wet spots that never seem to go away, or odd patterns of greener grass, that can be a sign that your sewer line is leaking into the yard, creating puddles and fertilizing the grass.
  5. Pests - The stench of leaking sewage will attract pests, such as rats, mice, and bugs. They'll turn your yard into a breeding ground, and will explore the area, and potentially go up the sewage pipe into your house.
  6. Major Water Bill Fluctuation - Strange fluctuations in your water bill, particularly if it increased suddenly, can be a sign that your sewer line is broken, which silently draws from your water supply, day after day.

Common Sewer Line Damage Causes:

Maybe you suspect that your sewer line is damaged, but you're not sure how it happened. There are a variety of ways that sewer lines can break in Ballwin, MO, but the typical ones we see are:

  • Wear and Tear - Inevitably, your pipes will wear down and develop cracks, even just from general use. Putting substances like oils or cleaners down the drain can cause the damage to occur faster. Ensuring that they're all regularly and properly cleaned helps extend their lifespan.
  • Blockages/Clogs - Even though you can't see them, clogs in the line can cause major issues. Heightened levels of pressure and erosion lead to the formation of cracks and leaks.
  • Tree Roots - Sewage leaking from a break provides sustenance to plants like trees, which will grow roots in the area to capitalize on the available nutrients. It's unlikely that they will cause a leak in the first place, but can aggravate the issue.

With proper installation and maintenance, sewer line repairs should not be frequently required. However, breaks do still occur, even when you're careful. When that happens, your plumber will need to use the right method to quickly and properly fix the issue, and avoid high costs or inconveniences in your life.

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How We Repair Ballwin, MO Sewer Lines

At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we handle all kinds of plumbing repairs as well as cleanings. When we first set foot at your house, we'll check in with you to understand the issue and then take a deep look into your home's plumbing system to find the cause of the problem. We examine your pipes using a top-of-the-line drain camera to check out your pipes from the inside, and can confirm if there is a clog, crack, or any other issue with your sewer line.

After we've found a break in a sewer line, our technicians will help you identify the best repair option for your home. If practical, we will avoid any excessive impact on your landscaping with one of the following trenchless sewer line repair methods:

  • Pipe Bursting - If we use pipe bursting, a new pipe will be pulled through your old one, breaking the former sewer line apart and replacing it with a new one, right in the same place. By using the existing line as a guide, this replacement method doesn't require trenches to be dug in your yard.
  • Pipe Lining - This method works well for less severe breaks, and works a lot like pipe bursting. However, instead of outright replacing the old sewer line, with a pipe lining method, you reinforce it with a smaller tube. The new pipe will be precisely fitted with the existing one, is secured with epoxy, and avoids the burst pipe without needing a full replacement.
  • Sectional Pipe Point Repair - Sectional pipe point repair functions in a similar way to pipe lining, since it also uses the technique of pulling a new, smaller piece of pipe through the damaged sewer pipe. The main difference is that pipe lining involves extensive relining, covering a large portion of the existing pipe, while point repairs are specifically targeted at cracks and damaged areas.

The techniques above helps us mend your pipes, faster without shutting down your water for as long. Sewer line repairs aren't still a week-long project that throws off your day and destroys your lawn. With modern techniques, We can make it faster and more affordable than ever before.

While some sewer lines will need more conventional replacement or repair methods, we always check to see if a trenchless option is possible. And no matter which technique we use, we retest your plumbing system after we're done, to be certain your house's plumbing is functioning properly now.

Preventing Damage to Your Ballwin, MO Sewer Lines

Regardless of whether it's brand new or recently repaired, proper care is important for your sewer line. We've written out some advice you can use to protect your sewer line from wear and prevent the need for future repairs:

  • Don't Discard Solids Down the Drain - And also don't send down oils and greases. Your entire plumbing system can suffer from blocks, increased wear, and corrosion, and they are particularly rough on your sewer system, as anything discarded into your drains eventually goes through it. Put solids in the trash or compost.
  • Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners - There's a range of problems with chemical cleaners. Some are effective, but damaging to your pipes in the process. Others just worsen the clog. If you think one of your pipes is blocked, a better option is to pour warm salt water down the drain, and if that doesn't fix it, call a reputable Ballwin, MO plumber to clean out the clog.
  • Manage Tree Roots - When planting or moving a tree around your landscape, check where the sewer lines run early in the planning stage, so you can avoid planting the tree close by. You can also install root barriers around your pipes to block them from invading the pipe.
  • Get A Backflow Preventer - If you've ever had issues with basement flooding, particularly from a sewer line, your home might need a backflow preventer. This stops water from flowing the wrong way, caring sewage into your home's plumbing system. Many homes already naturally prevent this, but older systems, those with pools, or those using well water all may require backflow preventers.
  • Repair Other Issues Promptly - Smaller problems can easily snowball into larger ones, as issues like blocks can affect the water's flow and friction. Getting them fixed right away stops them from causing unseen damage over time
  • Regular Maintenance/Inspections - To protect your home's pipes, you can have a plumbing inspection every one to two years, or more often for older plumbing systems. A quick inspection stops major problems before they happen, protecting your home and wallet in the long run.
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Ballwin, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs

Ballwin, MO homeowners who are concerned about sewer line damage have questions - and we have answers. We've listed out our answers to the most popular sewer line repair questions:

Who is responsible for a broken sewer line?

It depends a bit on local regulations, but typically if you own the property, you're responsible for sewer line repairs. This also applies for parts that go off of your property, until the pipe reaches the sewer main, it's frequently the homeowner's responsibility to repair.

Does homeowners' insurance cover sewer line repairs?

This will depend on the specific policy and situation. Typically, home insurance will cover sewer line repairs if they result from a specific event, like extreme weather or a fire. However, wear and tear, tree roots, or poor maintenance are normally not covered.

Is a broken sewer pipe an emergency?

Not every sewer line leak is an emergency, but if it's letting sewage out into your yard, or back into your home's clean water, then it is. This is because of the damage it can do to your health and well-being.

How long can a broken sewer line go undetected?

Sewer line breaks can go undetected for long periods of time - for smaller leaks, it can take months, or even years, to notice. Paying attention to the key signs of damage and ensuring you have your plumbing inspected regularly is critical to catching it before it slips through the cracks.

What is the cheapest way to repair a sewer line?

If available, a trenchless repair method (like pipe lining or pipe bursting) is the cheapest way to repair or replace a sewer line. Consult with a professional Ballwin, MO plumber to find out if one of these options is right for your property.

Are sewer and water pipes the same?

No, they are different — while they may be made of the same material, water pipes take clean water into your home, while sewer pipes carry out wastewater. Sewer lines tend to be made of sturdier material to handle the contaminants, and rely on gravity (as opposed to water pressure).



Get Your Sewer Line Repaired Today - Call Drain Cleaning St. Louis

If you think your sewer line has a break, or you're wanting to set up a preventative inspection, Drain Cleaning St. Louis is proud to be your partner. When you work with us, you're getting:

  • Experienced Plumbing Specialists - We have over a decade of experience plumbing in Ballwin, MO, and our team is experts in all things plumbing.
  • Emergency Plumbing Response - We respond to plumbing emergencies as soon as possible to stop them from throwing off your life.
  • 24/7 Availability - If your pipe bursts in the middle of the night, no problem. We're ready to help any time of day.
  • Wide Range of Services Available - Whatever is going on with your home's pipes, we can help with all of your plumbing needs.

We also offer these services in Ballwin, MO:

Protect your health and your home. For Ballwin, MO sewer line repairs, call Drain Cleaning St. Louis today at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. Our sewer line repair services are always available, any time of day or night.

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