Washington, MO Sewer line repairs in the past meant digging up your whole yard 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 the latest, unobtrusive practices including pipe bursting and pipe lining to minimize your water's downtime and the impact on your lawn.

You can reach us 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 Washington, MO home.

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We created this page to assist you with recognizing when your sewer line is broken, identifying the root issue, and get an idea of how repairs will go. , Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.

6 Washington, MOSewer Line Damage Signs to Watch Out For:

Sewer line damage isn't always as immediately visible as other plumbing issues, which makes potentially hard to notice. 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 Washington, MO home likely needs sewer line repairs:

  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. These pests can thrive in the leakage, and possibly crawl up the pipe into your home.
  6. Major Water Bill Fluctuation - Unexpected spikes in water bills can be the result of a broken sewer pipe, 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. Washington, MO sewer lines can crack in many ways, but the most common 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 - If the line becomes clogged, that can increase pressure and erosion, leading to cracks and bursts.
  • 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. That said, when they are needed, they're often needed urgently. It's important for your plumber to use a method that is fast, effective, and minimizes disruptions to your life.

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How We Repair Washington, 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 inspect your pipes to find the root cause. We examine your pipes 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 found a break in a sewer line, our technicians pick an appropriate repair method for the situation. If practical, 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 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 - Similar to pipe bursting, this also works with the existing pipes to minimize disruptions. 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. This tube is measured to fit snuggly in the old line, is attached 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, since it also involves pulling a new, smaller piece of pipe through the existing pipe. The main difference is that while pipe lining tends to cover a large section of the existing pipe, point repairs are specifically targeted at cracks and damaged areas.

Using pipe bursting, pipe lining, and sectional repair methods lets us fix your property, quicker with fewer disruptions. Sewer line repairs aren't still a week-long project that pauses your life and destroys your lawn. Today, 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 realistic. And for any repair job, conventional or modern, we double-check everything by testing your new pipes at the end of the process, to be certain everything is working correctly now.

Preventing Damage to Your Washington, 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 - And also don't send down oils and greases. These are common sources of clogs, friction, and other damage to your whole home's plumbing system, and they can hit your sewer line especially hard, as all the things you send down the drain eventually goes through it. Put solids in the trash or compost.
  • Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners - Some chemical cleaners can be 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 fix it, call a reputable Washington, MO plumber to evaluate the blockage.
  • Manage Tree Roots - When planning on 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 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 pools, or those using well water all use backflow preventers to protect the rest of the system.
  • Repair Other Issues Promptly - Smaller problems can easily snowball into larger ones, as issues like blocks can affect the water's flow and friction. Getting them fixed right away stops them from causing unseen damage over time
  • 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, protecting your home and wallet in the long run.
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Washington, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs

Washington, 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. Sewer lines can extend off of your property, but even from those parts, until the pipe reaches the sewer main, it's typically 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?

A broken sewer line is an emergency if it is leaking sewage into your yard or backflowing into your home's plumbing system. This is because of the potential adverse effects it can have on 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. 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 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 Washington, MO plumber to find out if one of these options is right for your property.

Are sewer and water pipes the same?

Sewer pipes and water pipes are not the same — 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 are normally 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 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 Washington, 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 - We don't just repair sewer lines - we can help with all of your plumbing needs.

We also offer these services in Washington, MO:

Protect your health and your home. For Washington, 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.

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