University City, MO, Sewer Repair. A broken sewer line can mean more than just plumbing problems. If left unchecked, sewage leaks and backups can cause health hazards, physical damage to your property, and more problems which often are costly and attention demanding to undo. At Signature Plumbing, our mission is to providing you with sewer repair services fast.

In this article, you'll learn about the causes, hazards, and repair process for sewer line problems in University City, MO. Read on to learn more about:

  • Signals that your home could use sewer repair services
  • Frequent reasons behind damage to sewer lines in University City
  • The risks of allowing sewer problems to go on too long

Our plumbing professionals are prepared to take care of your MO home's plumbing needs. Reach us at (636) 742-2533 or fill out our contact form online to schedule an appointment.

Sewer Repair Article Summary

A sewer repair can come in many forms, and the problem can display a variety of symptoms. Below, we look at common signs that repairs are needed, some common reasons behind sewer line damage, what to expect when you schedule repairs, and consequences of not getting it repaired fast..

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4 Signs That Your Sewer Line is Broken in University City

Damaged sewers can show different signs, even for the same cause, for homes in University City, MO. But that doesn't mean it's completely random. There are some signs you can watch out for. Typical symptoms fall into one of the following buckets – if you're noticing one or (especially) several of these, contact us so we can perform an inspection and/or sewer repair:

  1. Drains Backing Up, especially in the basement. When water is backflowing out of several drains across your home, this almost always means that deeper in your pipes is the culprit (frequently your sewer line). This is especially prevalent in your home's basement because all the wastewater flows down through there before going into the sewer.
  2. Nasty Smells around your drains or around your lawn. A spoiled or fecal smell almost always means that you need sewer repair services. This can occur around drains due to sewage backflows, and in your landscaping if there is a leak in the sewer pipe running belowground.
  3. Wet Spots That Stick Around in your landscaping, and extra vibrant areas of grass. As discussed in point 2, when your sewer is leaking under your landscaping, waste flows up into it. The wet spots frequently will congregate around the broken part of the pipe. And the grass will become greener as it absorbs nutrients from the waste.
  4. Gurgling Noises when you flush or send water down your drains. Gurgling noises indicates that there is air somewhere in your pipes. A small amount is to be expected, but excessive and high-frequency gurgling might be a sign that a broken section somewhere in your home's plumbing allowing air to enter the pipes. If the gurgles come from multiple locations, the break might be in your sewer line.

Repeat and Widespread Drain Issues

Because many plumbing issues have similar symptoms, it's common to think, "Is there a way I can tell if the cause is a broken sewer or an appliance problem?" It's a good question to ask – at face value, most of the signs are the same. But the key difference is where and how often the issues pop up in your plumbing.

If you notice these symptoms more at lower levels in your home, it increases the chances that your sewer is behind them. Because waste normally flows down and out of your home by or through the basement, if there's a problem with the main line, it will be more symptomatic there. That said, main sewer line breaks also tend to show widespread symptoms, so if you're noticing similar signs (odor, gurgling, etc.) is occurring in multiple appliances, there's a higher chance that your home needs a sewer repair.

Similarly, if fixes for specific appliances don't seem to be doing anything, it's more likely to be a sewer problem. Cleaning or fixing an individual appliance only helps if the real problem in your sewer line.

Reasons Behind Sewer Line Problems

When working on the water and/or sewer line repairs, sometimes it's not a major problem. In some cases, the solution could be as simple as cleaning your sewer. But if you're having constant, major issues, you might be dealing with the following:

  • Corrosion
  • Blockages
  • Cross Bores
  • Tree Roots
  • Ground Shifting

Beyond these common ones, there are many potential causes behind University City, MO, sewage problems. Hiring an experienced professional plumber helps you properly diagnose the problem and organize a sewer repair fast.

Need Sewer Repairs? Call Signature Plumbing Today!

How Do Sewer Line Repairs Work?

We offer several sewer repair options in University City, MO, and using the right one for the problem will save you time and money. Fortunately, aexpert professional plumber will look for the best way to repair your sewer with minimal disruption to your life.

Assessing damage via pipe inspections
With the use of a drain camera, we will perform a speedy, yet rigorous, pipe inspection. Our cameras let us examine your home's plumbing from the inside out, and locate the origins of the problem.

Low-impact repair methods
For smaller damage/cracks, we can use pipe bursting, pipe lining, or sectional point repair methods for your sewer repair. When performing one of these services, we run our repairs through existing sewer pipes, avoiding digging up your whole yard.

Sewer line excavation
If the damage is extensive, we might need to excavate your sewer line. This normally consists of digging a trench down to the sewer line, then addressing the problem directly.

Sewer Cleanout Installation
We can help get ahead of future issues by installing a sewer cleanout. A sewer cleanout is a ground-level pipe that goes down to your sewer line and allows plumbers another way to reach it more easily, minimizing the need for future excavations.

Plumbing Emergencies
In some cases, the damage is awful and you need some to help immediately. If you're facing a plumbing emergency, let us know so that we can send someone out to your home immediately to take care of the break.

On a logistical note, when you're organizing and paying for repairs, you can check with your local government for support. For example, St. Louis City and St. Louis County each may offer assistance programs that can provide aid if your home is in the area.

Dangers of Damaged Sewer Lines in University City

A broken sewer line isn't just gross – the consequences go beyond your plumbing. While your sewer is broken and/or leaking, you're facing these risks:

Health Hazards
Most people are already aware that sewage contains harmful waste products. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are all able to grow in your sewer lines. These can include Hepatitis A, Salmonella, dysentery, and E. coli. Backflow risks exposing you to all of these, whether you walk into a sewage puddle, get it into a cut, or even if you just breathe in the fumes.

Property Damage
Sewer damage can extend into further property damage. Cracks behind your walls and beneath your floors can cause wet rot, which will slowly decay the structure of your house. Even worse, if it touches something electrical, it can cause short circuits and permanent damage. And if it gets on your furniture, you'll likely be looking for replacements.

Environmental Harm
As the sewage spreads, the pollution has a negative impact on the environment. In rivers, it can harm fish populations, while on land, animals are in danger of contamination and health issues from the sewage. To make matters worse, some of the algae that grow in sewage give off harmful substances, exacerbating the damage.

Pest Attraction
Rodents and bugs are brought in by the nutrients in wastewater. Leaking sewers under your lawn can be particularly bad for this: Insects and rats can enter the line through holes in the pipe, then crawl up into your home. In Missouri, typical pest infestations include ants, mice, and spiders.

Sewer overflow is dangerous. And the longer it goes unaddressed, the worse it gets. Getting sewer repair services quickly stops the damage and begins to reverse it.

Do You Need Sewer Repair Services ASAP in University City? Call Signature Plumbing

Signature Plumbing has been serving University City, MO, for over a decade. Whatever sewer or other plumbing problems you're facing, you've come to the right place. When you work with Signature Plumbing, you're getting:

  • 24/7 availability to handle plumbing emergencies
  • A clear cost plan without hidden charges
  • Plumbing technicians who know what does and doesn't work for MO homes
  • A team dedicated to giving top-notch, stress-free service to University City residents.

If you know that there's something wrong with your sewer line, or if you just need an inspection to see what's happening, we''ve got the experience necessary to find a solution. You can reach us at (636) 742-2533 or reach out online today.

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