Chesterfield, MO Sewer line repairs used to mean tearing up your landscaping and losing access to water for the duration of the repairs. But no longer. At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we use new, unintrusive methods including pipe bursting and pipe lining to lessen the impact on your day-to-day life, while providing a state-of-the-art fix.
We're available 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 Chesterfield, MO home.
On this page, we'll teach you about:
- 6 Signs of sewer line damage to watch out for
- Common causes of sewer line damage
- How Drain Cleaning St. Louis repairs broken sewer lines
- What you can do to prevent damage to your sewer lines
- Frequently asked sewer line repair questions
We created this page to assist you with identifying a sewer line break, locating the root issue, and understand repair methods that may apply to your home. , Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.
6 Chesterfield, MOSewer Line Damage Signs to Watch Out For:
Some plumbing issues, like a leaking faucet, are easy to notice. Sewer line damage, however, is not, which makes it all the more important to know what to look for. 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 Chesterfield, MO sewer line needs repairs:
- 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. Don't inhale too deep: It can have negative health effects.
- Gurgling - If you're hearing bubbles and gurgling in multiple spots in your home, it's possible air is getting into your pipes through a crack in your sewer line.
- Slow Drain - When your home's drains don't flow well, even after cleaning them out, it could be that the root cause is a deeper sewer line break.
- 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.
- Pests - Insects and rodents are attracted to broken sewer lines. These pests can thrive in the leakage, and possibly crawl up the pipe into your home.
- 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:
Whatever signs of sewer pipe damage you're noticing, it's possible it's coming from one of a few causes. Sewer line breaks in Chesterfield, MO have several causes, but the usual suspects are:
- Wear and Tear - Over time, particularly if grease or cleaning chemicals have gone down your drains, the pipes will weaken and corrode. Ensuring that they're all regularly and properly cleaned helps extend their lifespan.
- Blockages/Clogs - Blockages in the line exacerbate other issues, as well as increasing corrosion and pressure in the line, eventually causing cracks to develop.
- Tree Roots - Tree roots will be attracted to the moist, nutrient-rich environment of an existing sewer line break, and can then extend into the pipe, exacerbating the problem.
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.
How We Repair Chesterfield, MO Sewer Lines
At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we provide you with quality inspections and repairs to help identify and correct any issues with your home's plumbing. 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 view all of your home's plumbing, and can confirm if the sewer line is broken.
After we've inspected your sewer line and located a leak, our technicians pick an appropriate repair method for the situation. If we can, we will avoid digging up your yard with one of the following trenchless sewer line repair methods:
- Pipe Bursting - Pipe bursting features a new pipe, which is pulled through your old one, breaking the broken sewer line down and replacing it with a newer line in the process. This allows the process to be performed with minimal holes dug in your yard.
- Pipe Lining - Pipe lining also takes advantage of the pipes your sewer line already has in place. With this method, you also pull a new pipe along the existing sewer line, but instead of breaking apart the old one, the new line just fits inside. This tube is measured to fit snuggly in the old line, will be glued in place with epoxy, and circumvents the leaks and keeps your sewage flowing.
- Sectional Pipe Point Repair - Sectional pipe point repair is not all that different from pipe lining, because it also is designed around pulling a section of sealant or liner through the pre-existing sewer line. The main difference is that pipe lining involves extensive relining, covering a large portion of the existing pipe, while point repairs are more focused on smaller problem sections from a pipe that is otherwise in good condition.
Using pipe bursting, pipe lining, and sectional repair methods helps us restore your home's plumbing, faster without shutting down your water for as long. Sewer line repairs don't have to be a major hassle that disrupts your routine and destroys your lawn. With modern techniques, it can be done quicker and cheaper than ever before.
There are still times where larger-scale repairs will be necessary, but, we always check to see if a trenchless option is realistic. And for any repair job, conventional or modern, we double-check everything by testing your new pipes at the end of the process, to be certain everything is no longer leaking like the old one.
Preventing Damage to Your Chesterfield, MO Sewer Lines
To get the longest life out of your sewer line, you'll want to take proper care of it. We've written out some advice you can use to minimize wear and tear and prevent future damage to your sewer line:
- Don't Discard Solids Down the Drain - And also don't send down oils and greases. They can pile up and create blockages, which damage the pipes all through your house, and your sewer pipes are almost guaranteed to be affected, because 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, leading to more damage over time. Others don't even clean the pipes, and just harden, creating new blocks. If there's a clog in one of your drains, you can try pouring warm salt water down the drain, and if that doesn't work, call a reputable Chesterfield, 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 prior to picking the tree's new spot. You can also install root barriers on the outside of 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 device stops water from going backwards through the sewage line into your home's plumbing system. It's possible your home will already have a natural backflow prevention built into the plumbing system's design, but older systems, those with sprinkler systems, or those using well water all benefit greatly from backflow preventers.
- Repair Other Issues Promptly - Clogs in one of your pipes lead to friction, which can increase wear and tear throughout the system. Fixing smaller issues promptly stops them from contributing to larger damage.
- Regular Maintenance/Inspections - Most houses benefit from having their pipes inspected 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.
Chesterfield, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs
Chesterfield, MO homeowners want to know more about sewer line maintenance, whether yours is new, damaged, or recently repaired. 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 often the homeowner's responsibility to repair.
Does homeowners' insurance cover sewer line repairs?
While it varies from policy to policy, there is a general rule of thumb: If the damage resulted from a specific event (for example, a storm), insurance will likely cover it. If it happened over time because of poor maintenance, you're probably going to have to pay out of pocket.
Is a broken sewer pipe an emergency?
When a broken sewer line is letting sewage out into your grass, or if the sewage is backflowing into your home, that is an emergency and you need to call a plumber right away. Letting it continue can be hazardous to your health and well-being.
How long can a broken sewer line go undetected?
Smaller cracks and leaks can take weeks, months or even years to find out about, though they often get worse over time. Watching out for the key signs of damage and ensuring you have your plumbing inspected regularly is critical to finding leaks that were otherwise unnoticable.
What is the cheapest way to repair a sewer line?
If possible, 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 Chesterfield, MO plumber to your sewer damage can be fixed through one of these methods.
Are sewer and water pipes the same?
No, they are different — they may look the same, but their function is different; water pipes take clean water into your home, while sewer pipes carry out wastewater. Sewer lines frequently are made of sturdier material to to prevent corrosion, 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 need an expert to evaluate your home's plumbing, Drain Cleaning St. Louis is here to help you. When you work with us, you're getting:
- Experienced Plumbing Specialists - We have over a decade of experience plumbing in Chesterfield, 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 - Our team is ready for your call, no matter when it comes in.
- Wide Range of Services Available - We don't just repair sewer lines - we can help with all of your plumbing needs.
We also offer these services in Chesterfield, MO:
- Drain Repair
- Clogged Drain
- Drain Cleaning Contractors
- Unclog Drain
- Drain Cleaning Services
- Drain Cleaning
Don't let broken pipes damage your health or home. For Chesterfield, MO sewer line repairs, call Drain Cleaning St. Louis today at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. We're ready for your call, no matter when it comes in.