Clarkson Valley, MO Sewer line repairs in the past meant massive trenches being dug in the middle of your lawn and losing access to water for the duration of the repairs. But with new repair methods, that's a thing of the past. At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we utilize modern, discrete techniques such as pipe bursting and pipe lining to fix your sewer line as fast as possible with as little interruption to your life as possible.
You can reach us 24/7, so as soon as you notice a problem, call us at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. Don't wait – call now to protect your Clarkson Valley, MO home.
On this page, we'll discuss:
- 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, finding the root issue, and understand repair methods that may apply to your home. If you're facing issues with your Clarkson Valley, MO home's water, Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.
6 Clarkson Valley, 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. On their own, the clues below could be a sign of another plumbing issue, but if you're noticing several of them, especially at the same time, your Clarkson Valley, MO home likely needs sewer line repairs:
- Odor/Smell - A persistent sewage smell, particularly in your backyard, is the most obvious sign of a broken sewer line. Avoid inhaling these smells, since they can have negative health effects.
- Gurgling - When there's a break in your Clarkson Valley, MO house's sewer line, air can get into the pipes and bubbles will spread, causing pervasive gurgling noises.
- 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.
- Green and/or Soggy Yard - Sewage acts as a fertilizer for grass, so leaks can cause patches to grow faster and greener. These spots will also probably have puddles that seem to come back over and over.
- Pests - Leaking sewer lines drawn in pests like insects and rodents. These pests can thrive in the leakage, and may try to get into your home through the break in the sewage line.
- 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, constantly draining your water throughout the month.
Common Sewer Line Damage Causes:
Maybe you suspect that your sewer line is damaged, but you're not sure how it happened. Clarkson Valley, MO sewer lines can crack in many ways, but the most common are:
- Wear and Tear - Regardless of how well you care for your pipes, in time, they'll wear out and need repairs. 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 - Trees will naturally spread their roots where they can find nutrients and moisture, and find leaking sewer lines to be an excellent source of both. They typically are not the cause of the original break, but can make it worse.
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 Clarkson Valley, 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 conduct an inspection to identify the problem. We check for leaks using a top-of-the-line drain camera to check out your pipes from the inside, and can confirm if there is a leak in your sewer line.
After we've identified a broken sewer line, our technicians pick an appropriate repair method for the situation. If reasonable, we will avoid excavating your lawn 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 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 - We can also avoid digging up your lawn with pipe lining. Pipe lining uses a smaller pipe that is placed inside of the existing sewer line, covering any cracks. The liner pipe is measured to fit perfectly inside the damaged line, is secured with epoxy, and gets your sewage flowing past the breaks in the old line.
- Sectional Pipe Point Repair - Sectional pipe point repair is closely related to pipe lining, since it also entails pulling a section of sealant or liner through the damaged sewer pipe. The main difference is that instead of relining a long portion of the older, damaged pipe, point repairs are more focused on smaller problem sections from a pipe that is otherwise in good condition.
The techniques above helps us fix your property, more rapidly with fewer disruptions. Sewer line repairs no longer need to be a full-day or multi-day endeavor that throws off your day and destroys your lawn. Today, it can be done quicker and cheaper 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 appropriate. And regardless of the repair method, we retest your plumbing system after we're done, to ensure everything is functioning properly now.
Preventing Damage to Your Clarkson Valley, MO Sewer Lines
For any sewer line, taking care of it will help extend its lifespan and reduce the need for repairs. There are some simple steps you can take to protect your sewer line from wear and prevent the need for future repairs:
- Don't Discard Solids Down the Drain - Likewise for oils and greases. Your entire plumbing system can suffer from blocks, increased wear, and corrosion, and sewer systems are extra vulnerable, since all the things you send down the drain 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 can actually solidify in your pipes, creating new blockages. If you have a blockage, a better option is to pour warm salt water down the drain, and if that doesn't remove the blockage, call a reputable Clarkson Valley, MO plumber to evaluate the problem.
- Manage Tree Roots - If you're thinking about planting or moving a tree on your property, 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 protect them from tree roots.
- Get A Backflow Preventer - Depending on your specific property and plumbing system, it might be necessary to get a backflow preventer. This device stops water from going backwards through the sewage line into your home's plumbing system. A lot of homes have plumbing systems that are built to prevent backflow automatically, but older systems, those with sprinkler systems, or those using well water all may require 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 - Even if no fixes or major maintenance is required, it's a good idea to have your plumbing inspected every one to two years, or more often for older plumbing systems. A quick inspection can catch smaller issues before they snowball into larger ones, saving you money and time in the long run.
Clarkson Valley, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs
Clarkson Valley, MO homeowners in need of sewer line repairs have lots of questions. Check out our responses to some of the most common questions on sewer line repair:
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. Even for sections that are not on your property, until the pipe reaches the sewer main, it's most often the homeowner's responsibility to repair.
Does homeowners' insurance cover sewer line repairs?
Home insurance policies are all different, so you'll want to check what your specific coverage is. Normally, event-based damage (such as from a fire) will be covered, while wear-and-tear damage is not.
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?
It is possible for a sewer line to be broken and unnoticed for a long time, even months, if the leak is small enough. Watching out for the key signs of damage and ensuring you have your plumbing inspected regularly is critical to identify damage early.
What is the cheapest way to repair a sewer line?
If practical, 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 Clarkson Valley, MO plumber to figure out if one of these solutions is appropriate to the problem you're facing.
Are sewer and water pipes the same?
Sewer pipes and water pipes are not the same — 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 handle the contaminants, and rely on gravity (as opposed to water pressure).
Get Your Sewer Line Repaired Today - Call Drain Cleaning St. Louis
If your sewer line is damaged, or you're wanting to set up a preventative inspection, Drain Cleaning St. Louis has got your back. When you work with us, you're getting:
- Experienced Plumbing Specialists - We have over a decade of experience plumbing in Clarkson Valley, MO, and our team knows how to handle any plumbing issues.
- Emergency Plumbing Response - If a pipe is gushing water or there's sewage coming out of your sink, we're there to help right away.
- 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 - Beyond sewer line repairs, we can help with all of your plumbing needs.
We also offer these services in Clarkson Valley, MO:
- Toilet Repair & Replacement
- Drain Repair
- Clogged Drain
- Drain Cleaning Contractors
- Unclog Drain
- Drain Cleaning Services
- Drain Cleaning
Protect your health and your home. For Clarkson Valley, MO sewer line repairs, call Drain Cleaning St. Louis now at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. We're ready for your call, no matter when it comes in.