St. John, 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 lessen the impact on your day-to-day life, while providing a state-of-the-art fix.

Our technicians are available 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 St. John, MO home.

On this page, we'll teach you about:

We created this page to help you with recognizing when your sewer line is broken, locating the cause, and understanding what repairs will look like. Regardless of the type, size, and location of the problem, Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.

6 St. John, MOSewer Line Damage Signs to Watch Out For:

Sewer line damage isn't always as immediately visible as other plumbing issues, which makes them tricky to identify. Individually, none of the the below indicators guarantees that you have a broken sewer line., but if you're noticing several of them, especially at the same time, your St. John, MO home likely needs sewer line 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. Avoid inhaling these smells, since they can have negative health effects.
  2. 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.
  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 - Leaking water and sewage can create wet spots that fertilize the lawn, creating puddles and extra green patches of 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 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. St. John, MO sewer lines can crack in many ways, 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 - 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.

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 St. John, 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 first talk with you to get an understanding of the problem and then take a deep look into your home's plumbing system to find the cause of the problem. 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 pick an appropriate repair method for the situation. If viable, 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 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 - 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 attached with epoxy, and gets your sewage flowing past the breaks in the old line.
  • Sectional Pipe Point Repair - Sectional pipe point repair is very similar to pipe lining, since it also uses the technique of pulling a new, smaller piece of pipe through the pre-existing sewer line. 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.

The techniques above lets us restore your home's plumbing, more rapidly without shutting down your water for as long. Sewer line repairs aren't still a week-long project that pauses your life and destroys your lawn. With modern techniques, it can be done quicker and cheaper than ever before.

These methods aren't appropriate for every job, but, we always check to see if a trenchless option is practical. And regardless of the repair method, we reconnect and test your pipes again afterwards, to be certain the new lining or pipe is no longer leaking like the old one.

Preventing Damage to Your St. John, 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 If you're wondering what you can do to protect your home's sewer line, we've got some tips:

  • 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 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 with increased corrosion. Others don't even clean the pipes, and just harden, creating new blocks. If there's a clog in one of your drains, a better option is to pour warm salt water down the drain, and if that doesn't work, call a reputable St. John, MO plumber to clean out the issue.
  • Manage Tree Roots - If you're considering planting or moving a tree on your property, 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 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 stops water from reversing direction and bringing sewage back 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 pools, or those using well water all may require backflow preventers.
  • Repair Other Issues Promptly - A simple clog in your pipes isn't the end of the world, but it's not something you should delay. Increased pressure, friction, and corrosion are all contributors to larger problems, which you can help prevent by taking care of clogs without delay.
  • 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 can catch smaller issues before they snowball into larger ones, saving you money and time in the long run.
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St. John, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs

St. John, 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?

Generally, the property owner is responsible for repairing broken sewer lines. This also applies for parts that go off of your property, until the pipe reaches the sewer main, it's typically 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. Paying attention to the key signs of damage and setting up regular maintenance 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 most affordable method to repair or replace a sewer line. Consult with a professional St. John, 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?

No, they are not — 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 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 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 St. John, 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 - Beyond sewer line repairs, we can help with all of your plumbing needs.

We also offer these services in St. John, MO:

Don't let broken pipes damage your health or home. For St. John, MO sewer line repairs, call Drain Cleaning St. Louis today at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. We're there when you need us, no matter what time it is.

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