Valley Park, MO Sewer line repairs previously meant massive trenches being dug in the middle of your lawn and having your water shut off for hours or days. But now, that's in the past. At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we the latest, unobtrusive practices 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.
We're on standby 24/7, so as soon as you notice a problem, call us at (314) 972-2233 or contact us online. Don't wait – call now to protect your Valley Park, 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
On this page, you'll learn skills to assist you with recognizing when your sewer line is broken, locating the root issue, and understanding what repairs will look like. , Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.
6 Valley Park, MOSewer Line Damage Signs to Watch Out For:
It's not always obvious when your sewer line is damaged, which makes them tricky to identify. 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 Valley Park, MO home likely needs sewer line 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 air is entering your home's plumbing through a damaged sewer line, gurgling can occur throughout the house.
- 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. They'll turn your yard into a breeding ground, and will explore the area, and potentially go up the sewage pipe into your house.
- 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. There are a variety of ways that sewer lines can break in Valley Park, MO, but the typical ones we see 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 - 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 - 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.
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.
How We Repair Valley Park, 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. After arriving at your property, we'll consult with you to learn more about the situation 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 clog, crack, or any other issue with your sewer line.
After we've identified a broken sewer line, our technicians pick an appropriate repair method for the situation. If viable, we will avoid any excessive impact on your landscaping with one of the following trenchless sewer line repair methods:
- Pipe Bursting - A process in which a new pipe is pulled through your old one, breaking the old one and automatically setting the new one in its place. This allows the process to be performed with minimal holes dug in your yard.
- Pipe Lining - Similar to pipe bursting, this also works with the existing pipes to minimize disruptions. 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, will be affixed with epoxy, and avoids the burst pipe without needing a full replacement.
- Sectional Pipe Point Repair - Sectional pipe point repair functions in a similar way to pipe lining, since it also is based around pulling a new, smaller piece of pipe through the existing 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.
The techniques above helps us fix your property, quicker with fewer disruptions. Sewer line repairs no longer need to be a full-day or multi-day endeavor that disrupts your life and wrecks your landscape. With modern techniques, you can get it done sooner and for less 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 appropriate. And regardless of the repair method, we retest your plumbing system after we're done, to ensure everything is working correctly now.
Preventing Damage to Your Valley Park, MO Sewer Lines
Regardless of whether it's brand new or recently repaired, proper care is important for your sewer line. Below are some tips to protect your sewer line from wear and prevent the need for future repairs:
- 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 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 with increased corrosion. Others just worsen the clog. 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 Valley Park, MO plumber to clean out 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 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 going backwards through the sewage line into your home's plumbing system. Many homes already naturally prevent this, but older systems, those with pools, or those using well water all use backflow preventers to protect the rest of the system.
- 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 - 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, saving you money and time in the long run.
Valley Park, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs
Valley Park, 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?
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?
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?
It is possible for a sewer line to be broken and unnoticed for a long time, even months, if the leak is small enough. Being aware of 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 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 Valley Park, 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 — 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 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 not sure and need to set up an inspection, Drain Cleaning St. Louis is here to help you. We offer:
- Experienced Plumbing Specialists - We have over a decade of experience plumbing in Valley Park, MO, and our team is ready for any plumbing problem, even the unexpected.
- Emergency Plumbing Response - For major pipe bursts or sewer line breaks, we act fast to fix your home's plumbing problems.
- 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 Valley Park, MO:
- Drain Repair
- Clogged Drain
- Drain Cleaning Contractors
- Unclog Drain
- Drain Cleaning Services
- Drain Cleaning
Protect your health and your home. For Valley Park, 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.