Union, 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 use new, unintrusive methods including pipe bursting and pipe lining to fix your plumbing without breaking your landscaping.

Our phone line is active 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 Union, MO home.

On this page, we'll teach you about:

We created this page to help 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 Union, MO home's water, Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.

6 Union, 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. Individually, none of the the below indicators guarantees that you have a broken sewer line., but if your Union, 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. Breathing it excessively 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 - 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.
  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 - Insects and rodents are attracted to broken sewer lines. They can both live in the damp parts of the yard, 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, constantly draining your water throughout the month.

Common Sewer Line Damage Causes:

The particulars of sewer line damage can be challenging to identify. Sewer line breaks in Union, MO have several causes, but the usual suspects are:

  • Wear and Tear - Inevitably, your pipes will wear down and develop cracks, even just from general use. Putting substances like oils or cleaners down the drain can cause the damage to occur faster. Ensuring that they're all regularly and properly cleaned helps extend their lifespan.
  • Blockages/Clogs - Even though you can't see them, clogs in the line can cause major issues. Heightened levels of pressure and erosion lead to the formation of cracks and leaks.
  • 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.

If your sewer line was put in correctly and cleaned/maintained regularly, it shouldn't need repairs 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 Union, 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 consult with you to learn more about the situation and then take a deep look into your home's plumbing system to find the cause of the problem. We check for leaks 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 use the best repair method available for the circumstances. If we can, we will avoid digging up your yard 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 former sewer line apart and replacing it with a new one, right in the same place. If pipe bursting is realistic, this minimizes damage to your hard, since holes only need to be dug to feed the new pipe down to the existing one, rather than full trenches to lay it down.
  • Pipe Lining - This method works well for less severe breaks, and works a lot like pipe bursting. However, instead of outright replacing the old sewer line, with a pipe lining method, you reinforce it with a smaller tube. The liner pipe is measured to fit perfectly inside the damaged 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 works a lot like pipe lining, because it also entails pulling a new, smaller piece of pipe through the damaged sewer pipe. The main difference is that pipe lining involves extensive relining, covering a large portion of the existing pipe, while point repairs only cover a smaller section with the leak.

Each of these methods helps us repair your sewer line, quicker without wrecking your day-to-day. Sewer line repairs no longer need to be a full-day or multi-day endeavor that throws off your day and destroys your lawn. With modern techniques, it can be done quicker and cheaper than ever before.

There are times where we can't use one of the above methods, but, we always check to see if a trenchless option is available. And in any case, we double-check everything by testing your new pipes at the end of the process, to be certain the new lining or pipe is working correctly now.

Preventing Damage to Your Union, MO Sewer Lines

To get the longest life out of your sewer line, you'll want to take proper care of it. Below are some tips 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 sewer systems are extra vulnerable, since 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, leading to more damage over time. Others just worsen the clog. If you think one of your pipes is blocked, one safe technique is to pour warm salt water down the drain, and if that doesn't remove the blockage, call a reputable Union, MO plumber to take care of the issue.
  • Manage Tree Roots - If you're thinking about planting or moving a tree on your property, check where the sewer lines run before deciding on its new location. 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 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 use backflow preventers to protect the rest of the system.
  • 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 identify problems that may not have been visible to the naked eye, protecting your home and wallet in the long run.
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Union, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs

Union, MO homeowners want to know more about sewer line maintenance, whether yours is new, damaged, or recently repaired. Check out our responses to some of the most common questions on sewer line repair:

Who is responsible for a broken sewer line?

If your property's sewer line is broken, it's normally your responsibility to repair it. 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?

This will depend on the specific policy and situation. Typically, home insurance will cover sewer line repairs if they result from a specific event, like extreme weather or a fire. However, wear and tear, tree roots, or poor maintenance are normally not covered.

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?

Sewer line breaks can go undetected for long periods of time - for smaller leaks, it can take months, or even years, to notice. Watching out for the key signs of damage and setting up regular maintenance is critical to catching it before it slips through the cracks.

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 Union, 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 tend to be made of sturdier material to protect against wear and tear, and rely on gravity (as opposed to water pressure).



Get Your Sewer Line Repaired Today - Call Drain Cleaning St. Louis

If something is wrong with your sewer line, or you're wanting to set up a preventative inspection, Drain Cleaning St. Louis has got your back. We offer:

  • Experienced Plumbing Specialists - We have over a decade of experience plumbing in Union, 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 - 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 Union, MO:

Don't let broken pipes damage your health or home. For Union, 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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