Clayton, MO Sewer line repairs previously meant tearing up your landscaping 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 use new, unintrusive methods such as pipe bursting and pipe lining to fix your plumbing without breaking your landscaping.

We're available 24/7, so as soon as you notice a problem, call us at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. Fix it early and prevent further damage to your Clayton, MO home.

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We created this page to help you with recognizing when your sewer line is broken, finding the cause, and get an idea of how repairs will go. No matter what plumbing challenges you're up against, Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.

6 Clayton, 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 learning the different signs essential. Individually, none of the the below indicators guarantees that you have a broken sewer line., but if your Clayton, MO home starts to display multiple of them, it's time to call a professional plumber to check for sewer line damage:

  1. Odor/Smell - If your backyard always seems to have a gross, sewage smell, that's the best clue that your sewer line could be broken. Avoid inhaling these smells, since they can have negative health effects.
  2. Gurgling - When there's a break in your Clayton, MO house's sewer line, air can get into the pipes and bubbles will spread, causing pervasive gurgling noises.
  3. Slow Drain - If you're having trouble with multiple drains around your home not performing well, that is often a sign of a broken sewer line. This is especially the case if treating the individual drains doesn't seem to help.
  4. 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.
  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 possibly crawl up the pipe into your home.
  6. Major Water Bill Fluctuation - If your water bills fluctuate, particularly if they are trending upward, it could be the result of a broken sewer line, creating a flow of water that runs all month long.

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. There are a variety of ways that sewer lines can break in Clayton, MO, but the typical ones we see 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.

Unless something went wrong when your sewer line was first built, or it hasn't been maintained properly, it shouldn't require repairs very often. 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 Clayton, MO Sewer Lines

At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we cover all your home's plumbing and sewer line repair needs. When our expert plumbers first arrive at your home, we'll first talk with you to get an understanding of the problem and then inspect your pipes to find the root cause. We look at your lines using a top-of-the-line drain camera to see all throughout your pipes, and can confirm if the sewer line is broken.

After we've inspected your sewer line and located a leak, our technicians use the best repair method available for the circumstances. If reasonable, we will avoid excavating your lawn 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 old one and automatically setting the new one in its 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. 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. The new pipe will be precisely fitted with the existing one, will be affixed with epoxy, and avoids the burst pipe without needing a full replacement.
  • Sectional Pipe Point Repair - Sectional pipe point repair works a lot like pipe lining, since it also entails pulling a section of sealant or liner through the existing pipe. The main difference is that instead of relining a long portion of the older, damaged pipe, point repairs are specifically targeted at cracks and damaged areas.

Using pipe bursting, pipe lining, and sectional repair methods lets us mend your pipes, faster while letting you stick to your routine. Sewer line repairs aren't still a week-long project that throws off your day and wrecks your landscape. Today, 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 possible. And regardless of the repair method, we reconnect and test your pipes again afterwards, to ensure your new pipe is working correctly now.

Preventing Damage to Your Clayton, MO Sewer Lines

For any sewer line, taking care of it will help extend its lifespan and reduce the need for repairs. 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 - The same goes for 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 everything 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 as they clean. Others just worsen the clog. If you have a blockage, you can try pouring warm salt water down the drain, and if that doesn't remove the blockage, call a reputable Clayton, MO plumber to clear out the problem.
  • Manage Tree Roots - When planning on 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 device stops water from reversing direction and bringing sewage back into your home's plumbing system. Many homes already naturally prevent this, 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 - 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 can catch smaller issues before they snowball into larger ones, protecting your home and wallet in the long run.
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Clayton, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs

Clayton, 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. This also applies for parts that go off of 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?

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?

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?

Smaller cracks and leaks can take weeks, months or even years to find out about, though they often get worse over time. Being aware of 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 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 Clayton, 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?

Water and sewer pipes are distinct from each other — They are often constructed out of similar materials, but water pipes take clean water into your home, while sewer pipes carry out wastewater. Sewer lines are normally 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 your sewer line is damaged, or you're not sure and need to set up an 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 Clayton, MO, and our team is ready for any plumbing problem, even the unexpected.
  • Emergency Plumbing Response - We respond to plumbing emergencies as soon as possible to stop them from throwing off your life.
  • 24/7 Availability - Because issues can arise at any time, we're ready to fix them right away.
  • Wide Range of Services Available - Beyond sewer line repairs, we can help with all of your plumbing needs.

We also offer these services in Clayton, MO:

Protect your health and your home. For Clayton, 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.

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