St. Louis, MO, Sewer Repair. Plumbing issues are just the beginning if your sewer is broken. If the problem isn't resolved fast, wastewater leaks and backups can cause hazards to your wellbeing, material damage, and further problems which can be costly and attention demanding to fix. At Signature Plumbing, we're dedicated to providing sewer repair services in an effective and timely manner.

In this article, we'll take you through the bases, dangers, and repair process for broken sewer lines in St. Louis, MO. Keep reading to learn more about:

  • Indicators that your plumbing could require sewer repair services
  • Typical causes of damage to sewer lines in St. Louis
  • Why you should urgently schedule sewer repairs

Our plumbing professionals are ready to handle all of your MO house's plumbing needs. Reach us at (636) 742-2533 or fill out our contact form online to set up a service.

Sewer Repair Page Summary

Sewer repairs can be very different from one another, and the damage can display a variety of symptoms. Below, we discuss common signs that your home needs sewer repairs, some of the regular causes of sewer line damage, the repair process itself, and what can happen if you don't get it fixed.

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4 Signs Your St. Louis Home Needs Sewer Line Repairs

Broken sewers can affect different homes in unique ways in St. Louis, MO. But that doesn't mean it's completely random. There are some signs you can watch out for. Frequent indicators will fit into one of the below categories – if you've seen one or (especially) multiple symptoms, give us a call so we can perform an inspection and/or sewer repair:

  1. Drains Backing Up, particularly if it's in the basement. When water is backflowing out of several drains across your house, this almost always means that deep in your plumbing is the culprit (frequently your sewer line). This is especially prevalent in your home's basement because plumbing systems usually drain waste down before sending it out into the sewer.
  2. Foul Smells eminating from your drains or at spots in your landscaping. A rotten or fecal smell almost always means that you need sewer repair services. Drains are common locations for this due to sewage backups, and in your landscaping if there is a leak in the sewer pipe running beneath the ground.
  3. Persistent Wet Spots in your lawn, and especially green patches of grass. As with point 2, when your sewer is leaking under your landscaping, wastewater flows up into it. The wet spots frequently will congregate around the broken part of the pipe. And the grass becomes a more vivid shade of green as it absorbs nutrients from the waste.
  4. Frequent Gurgles when you flush or send water down your drains. Gurgling noises are the sound of air getting stuck in the pipes and trying to escape. A small amount is normal, but excessive and high-frequency gurgling could indicate that a broken section somewhere in your home's plumbing is letting in extra air. If the gurgling always seems to be there, no matter which appliance you're using, the crack might be in your sewer line.

Repeat and Widespread Drain Issues

You might have read the list above and thought to yourself, "Is there a way I can tell if the cause is a broken sewer or an appliance problem?" We're glad you asked – at first pass, most of the symptoms are similar. But the key difference is the location of and frequency that issues show up in your plumbing.

If these issues happen in your basement, it's more likely that your sewer is behind them. Because wastewater normally flows down and out of your home by or through the basement, if something's broken with the sewer line, it will be easier to notice there. However, main sewer line breaks also tend to show widespread symptoms, so if you're detecting the same issue (odor, gurgling, etc.) is happening in multiple locations, there's an increased likelihood that you need a sewer repair.

Relatedly, if the issues keep coming back, there's a good chance the real problem is in your sewer. Cleaning or repairing an individual appliance only helps if it's the actual site of the issue.

Reasons Behind Sewer Line Problems

When working on the water and/or sewer line repairs, sometimes there's a quick and easy solution. If you're lucky, the fix could be as straightforward as cleaning your sewer. But if you're having constant, major issues, you could be facing the following:

  • Corrosion
  • Blockages
  • Cross Bores
  • Root Growth
  • Ground Shifting

Beyond the reasons we listed here, there are many possible origins behind St. Louis, MO, sewage problems. Working with an experienced high-quality plumber helps you properly identify the cause and set up a sewer repair quickly.

Need Sewer Repairs? Call Signature Plumbing Today!

How Do Sewer Line Repairs Work?

There are many ways to conduct a sewer repair in St. Louis, MO, and picking the right one is important to save you stress and money. Fortunately, aexpert professional plumber will look for the least intrusive option to fix the problem.

Locating the problem via pipe inspections
Our drain cameras allow us to conduct a speedy, yet in-depth, pipe inspection. Our cameras let us look at your plumbing from the inside out, and find the broken section of pipe.

Minimally invasive repair methods
For non-extensive damage, we can use pipe bursting, pipe lining, or sectional point repair techniques for your sewer repair. If we use one of these techniques, we will thread the existing sewer pipes, avoiding digging up your whole yard.

Sewer line excavation
For larger issues, it may be necessary to excavate your sewer line. Excavation typically means digging a trench down to the sewer line, then conducting repairs before reburying it.

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 their disruption.

Plumbing Emergencies
If you're particularly unlucky, the damage is widespread and you need immediate assistance. If you're up against a plumbing emergency, we will send someone out to your ASAP to fix the issue.

On a less technical side, when you're organizing and paying for repairs, you can check if there are programs in your area to assist. For example, St. Louis City and St. Louis County each may offer assistance programs that can provide aid if your home qualifies.

Dangers of Damaged Sewer Lines in St. Louis

A broken sewer line isn't just gross – the problems don't stop at the pipes. While your sewer is broken and/or leaking, you're risking the following:

Health Hazards
You likely already know that sewage carries several 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. Leaks can expose you to each of these, whether you walk through a wastewater puddle, get it into a cut, or even if you just inhale the fumes.

Property Damage
Extensive pipe damage can lead to extensive property damage. Damage to pipes in your walls and beneath your floors can result in wet rot, which will erode the structure of your house. And even more dangerous, when it comes into contact with electricity, it can cause short circuits and permanent damage. Should it leak onto your furniture, you can expect stains, swelling, and ruined finishes.

Environmental Harm
As the waste spreads, the pollution has a negative impact on the environment. In rivers, it can harm fish populations, while on land, mammals are in danger of contamination and health issues from the sewage. On top of that, some of the algae that grow in sewage give off toxins, compounding the damage.

Pest Attraction
Numerous pests are attracted to the nutrients in sewage. Leaking sewers under your lawn can be particularly bad for this: Insects and rats can enter the line through damage in the pipe, then climb up into your home. In Missouri, typical pest infestations include bed bugs, cockroaches, and termites.

Sewer overflow is dangerous. And the longer it goes unaddressed, the worse it gets. Getting sewer repair services quickly stops the harm and starts to fix it.

Do You Need Sewer Repair Services ASAP in St. Louis? Call Signature Plumbing

Signature Plumbing has been serving St. Louis, MO, for over a decade. If your home has a plumbing problem, you're in good hands with us. At Signature Plumbing, you're getting:

  • Quick response times if there's an emergency
  • A transparent price plan without hidden fees
  • Plumbers that have experience with MO homes and know the unique plumbing problems they face
  • A company who wants to provide high-quality, stressless service to St. Louis customers.

If you're confident that there's a crack in your sewer line, or if you need help identifying what's happening, we're ready for your call. Talk to a technician at (636) 742-2533 or get in touch online today.

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