St. Louis Drain Repair. Your toilet isn't flushing properly. Or your sink leaks every time you run water. Or water has started to back up one of your drains (this could even be an emergency). Whatever the symptoms are, you know one thing: Something's wrong with your drain.
Let a professional help you out. At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we handle more than just cleanings – we'll help with repairs if there's a deeper problem. Our licensed, knowledgeable plumbers know the ins and outs of St. Louis homes' water systems, and have the tools to inspect and repair your pipes while we're out for a cleaning.
If you have a drain issue or any other plumbing problem, call us now at 314-972-2233 or reach out online for help. We're ready 24/7 and can have someone out shortly.
Signs Your St. Louis Home's Drain Needs Repairs:
Some signs that your home's drain needs repairs are obvious – for example, if you see a crack in the pipe or the drain itself, you know something needs to be repaired or replaced. Other signs, though, are tougher to notice and could have different root causes.
Below are some of the main signs to watch out for. The more that you notice, the more likely that you'll need to call professional plumbing services to come out and fix the issue.
Slow Drains
Watch out for your drains not working as fast as they used to. This can occur either suddenly or slowly over time. Either way, it's likely the result of a clog, though with different types of debris. Sometimes the clog can be cleared with a plunger, but if that doesn't work, it's possible that something else is causing the problem.
Foul Odors
Bad smells originating around your drain can have a variety of causes, some of which are more nefarious than others. If it's not bad, it may just be an indicator that your drain needs to be cleaned. But if it's persistent and/or nauseating, it could be a sign of sewage backup, mold, or bacterial growth. These can be the result of a serious problem with your home's plumbing.
Multiple or Recurring Clogged Lines
If it's just one sink, your shower, or your toilet that's clogged, then there's a good chance that the issue is with the single appliance. But if multiple drains in your house are clogged and draining slowly, that could be a sign of an issue deeper in the pipes. Similarly, if the clog seems to keep coming back after cleanings, that's a sign that more significant repairs are needed.
Water Backing Up or Overflowing
Sometimes, the clog in one appliance shows up in a different one. For example, your toilet line could be blocked, and when you try to flush, the water can't reach the sewer. Instead, it diverts back up your pipes and can come out the drain of your shower or sink. An overflowing toilet is also likely the result of a clog.
Gurgling Sounds
The occasional gurgling sound isn't anything to panic about, but watch out for repeated, consistent, or long-lasting gurgles coming from your drains. Gurgles are the sound of air getting stuck in your pipes and not being able to escape properly. This can be either from a blockage or because of a broken pipe letting extra air in.
If your St. Louis, Missouri, home is showing any of the above symptoms, but you're not sure about the cause of the problem, a drain camera inspection can be a big help. By inserting a state-of-the-art camera into your drains, we can examine deep into the pipe and locate issues like cracks, clogs, and tree roots. Regular inspections can also help prevent issues or catch small problems before they turn into big ones.
Common Causes of Drain Problems in St. Louis
If you're noticing several of the symptoms above, your drain probably needs to be repaired. You'll want to call a plumber for professional drain cleaning and repair services in order to solve the issue and prevent it from coming back. Here are some of the main causes we've seen for drain problems in St. Louis, Missouri:
Wear and Tear
The first cause is, unfortunately, the hardest to avoid: wear and tear. As they're used, it's natural for your pipes and drains to need repairs. They should last for decades if treated properly, but having acidic or high-mineral water can lead to corrosion.
Hair
Hair from both humans and pets (if you have any) tends to come out and wash down the drain while cleaning. While they may look thin and harmless, if hair tangles and knots, it can latch onto the pipe or drain and catch other debris.
Soap
Some soap types, particularly bar soaps, are prone to causing clogs. When used excessively, the soap runoff will latch onto minerals in the water, forming scum that can clog your drains and exacerbate other issues.
Grease/Oil
Grease, fats, and oils make up some of the most common things people pour down their drains, but shouldn't. Even if they are liquid when you pour them down, they'll very likely solidify somewhere in your drains or pipes, getting stuck and causing problems.
Food Waste
A garbage disposal can help, but ideally, you shouldn't be throwing any food products down your drain, as the solids tend to form blockages. Compost it or toss it out instead.
Tree Roots
If the issue is further down your pipes, particularly with sewer lines, tree roots could be making the problem worse. When sewage leaks in your yard, St. Louis trees tend to extend roots to that area for the water and nutrients.
Over-the-Counter Drain Cleaners
This last one surprises some folks, but over-the-counter drain cleaners often do more harm than good. They can be hazardous to your health, solidify into new blockages, and damage your pipes.
Whatever drain or pipe problem you're facing, you need a St. Louis drain expert to unclog your drains and repair them. At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we specialize in helping your drains and can help with any other plumbing issues. No matter what the root cause is, we're ready to help you fix it.
How to Prevent Drain Problems
Whether you've just paid for water damage you wish you'd avoided or you are just trying to be proactive, there are things you can do to prevent drain problems. Regular inspections help, but between those, here are some steps you can take to protect your drains:
- Avoid putting solids down the drain. Or anything from the list above. Solids get stuck and cause both blockages and wear.
- Use a Drain Cover/Strainer. This can catch small bits of solid waste that you didn't even realize were flowing down your drain.
- Clean Drain Covers/Strainers Regularly. Once you have them, taking care of them is important so that they remain effective.
- Run hot (not boiling) water down your drains regularly. Hot water can help melt some contaminants, like oils or fats, and help them move along. Boiling water can damage your pipes, though.
- Use a water softener or filter. This is particularly helpful for water that is acidic and/or has a high mineral content.
Following these steps will protect your St. Louis, Missouri, drains from needing frequent repairs. Nobody follows them perfectly all the time (not even us), but the more you take care of your home's drains, water, and sewer lines, the fewer repairs they will need.
Drain Cleaning STL is Ready to Repair Your St. Louis Drains
It doesn't matter what symptoms or cause(s) are behind your St. Louis, Missouri, home's drain issues. Drain Cleaning St. Louis is ready to help. Our plumbing experts are fast and friendly, with extensive training and experience repairing St. Louis drains.
We've been in operation since 2011, and focus on improving our service every year. Today, we are proud to have achieved both master plumber and master drainlayer status, and carry insurance/bonds to protect your home from any damage.
Call us now at 314-972-2233 or contact us online to schedule a drain cleaning or repair appointment today. We also offer same-day service for drain cleaning emergencies.
We also provide drain repair services in the following areas: