Washington, MO, Sewer Repair. A broken sewer line can mean more than just plumbing problems. If the problem isn't resolved fast, leaks and backups can create hazards to your wellbeing, property damage, and additional issues which can be expensive and time consuming to take care of. At Signature Plumbing, our mission is to providing fast, emergency responses to sewer damage.

On this page, we'll take you through the origins, hazards, and repair process for broken sewers in Washington, MO. Read on to learn more about:

  • Warning signs that your home could use sewer repair services
  • Typical causes of damage to sewer lines in Washington
  • What can happen if you don't get sewer repairs right away

Our plumbing professionals are prepared to handle all of your MO home's plumbing needs. You can call us at (636) 742-2533 or tell us about your issue online to set up an appointment.

Sewer Repair Article Summary

Sewer repairs can come in many forms, and the problem may show several different symptoms. On this page, we look at typical signs that repairs are needed, some of the regular causes of sewer line damage, different possibilities for repair processes, and the risks of letting it go without fixes.

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4 Signs That Your Sewer Line is Broken in Washington

Damaged sewer lines can affect different homes in unique ways in Washington, MO. But that doesn't mean it's completely random. There are some signs you can watch out for. Frequent symptoms fall into one of the following buckets – if you're noticing one or (especially) multiple symptoms, let us know so we can perform an inspection and/or sewer repair:

  1. Drains Backing Up, particularly in the basement. When water is flowing back up multiple drains across your house, this is a clear indicator that deeper in your pipes is the culprit (frequently your sewer line). This is especially prevalent in your home's basement because it's the last stop before water exits your home into the sewer.
  2. Nasty Odors eminating from your drains or around your lawn. A moldy or fecal smell is a sign that you need sewer repair services. This can occur around drains because of sewage backflows, and in your lawn if there is a leak in the line running beneath the ground.
  3. Persistent Wet Spots in your landscaping, and particularly green patches of grass. Just like in point 2, when your sewer is leaking under your landscaping, sewage flows out into it. The wet spots frequently will congregate around the broken piece of pipe. And the grass will become greener as it absorbs nutrients from the waste.
  4. Frequent Gurgles 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 long-lasting and repeatedfrequent gurgling could indicate that a crack somewhere in your home's plumbing allowing air to enter the pipes. If this is widespread, the crack is more likely to be in your sewer line.

Repeat and Widespread Drain Issues

Reading those symptoms, you might be asking yourself, "How can I tell if that's because of a sewer issue or an appliance problem?" And that's a great question – at first glance, most of the symptoms are the same. The main differentiator is where and how often the issues pop up in your home.

The lower the issues occur, the more likely it is that your sewer is the part that needs repairs. Because wastewater normally flows down and out of your home at lower elevation points, if something's wrong with the main line, it will be more noticeable there. However, main sewer line issues normally display widespread symptoms, so if you're seeing similar signs (odor, gurgling, etc.) is happening in multiple locations, there's an increased likelihood that you need a sewer repair.

Relatedly, if fixes for specific appliances don't seem to be doing anything, it's more likely to be a sewer problem. Cleaning or repairing 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 there's a quick and easy solution. If you're lucky, the fix could be as straightforward as cleaning your sewer. But if the problems keep coming back, you might be facing the following:

  • Corrosion
  • Clogs or Blocks
  • Cross Bores
  • Root Growth
  • Ground Shifting

Beyond the ones we listed above, there are many possible causes behind Washington, MO, sewage problems. Hiring an expert professional plumber helps you properly diagnose the problem and schedule a sewer repair fast.

Need Sewer Repairs? Call Signature Plumbing Today!

How Do Sewer Line Repairs Work?

There are multiple sewer repair methods one can use in Washington, MO, and using the right one for the problem will save you stress and money. Fortunately, aexpert master plumber will look for the least intrusive option to fix the problem.

Assessing damage via pipe inspections
We'll use one of our state-of-the-art drain cameras for a speedy, yet rigorous, pipe inspection. Our cameras let us evaluate your home's plumbing from the inside out, and locate the origins of the problem.

Minimally invasive repair methods
For smaller damage/cracks, we can use pipe bursting, pipe lining, or sectional point repair methods for sewer repair. When performing one of these services, we run our repairs through existing sewer pipes, minimizing the impact on your lawn.

Sewer line excavation
If the damage is extensive, it may be necessary to excavate your sewer line. This typically consists of digging a trench down to the sewer line, then addressing the problem directly.

Sewer Cleanout Installation
If you want to lessen the impact of future repairs, you may want to consider installing a sewer cleanout. This is a pipe that extends down to your sewer line and allows plumbers another way to reach it more easily, minimizing the need for future excavations.

Plumbing Emergencies
Sometimes, the damage is widespread and you need some to help immediately. If you're up against a plumbing emergency, call us to get a plumber out to your home ASAP to fix the break.

On a logistical note, when you're planning 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 Washington

If you're facing a damaged sewer line, it can have far-reaching negative impacts. When you take too long to fix your sewer line, you're facing these risks:

Health Hazards
It's probably not a surprise that sewage contains harmful waste products. Germs, viruses, and parasites are typically contained in your sewer. These can include Hepatitis A, Salmonella, dysentery, and E. coli. Backflow risks exposing you to each of these, whether you walk into a wastewater puddle, some gets into a cut, or even if you just inhale the fumes.

Property Damage
The damage doesn't stop at your sewer line. Leaks behind your walls and under 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, it will probably be stained and ruined.

Environmental Harm
As the wastewater spreads, the pollution will damage the environment. In water, it can harm fish populations, while on land, animals are put at risk to several of the same diseases as humans. On top of that, some of the algae that grow in wastewater give off toxic substances, compounding the damage.

Pest Attraction
Infestations are drawn to the nutrients in wastewater. If you're noticing wet spots in your yard, you should be extra careful of this: Pests can enter the line through damage in the pipe, then climb up into your home. In Missouri, typical pest infestations include ants, rats, and termites.

Sewer overflow is dangerous. And the longer you put it off, the worse it gets. Scheduling a sewer repair fast limits the harm and starts to reverse it.

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

Signature Plumbing has been serving Washington, MO, for over a decade. If your home has a plumbing problem, we're ready to help you find a solution. When you work with Signature Plumbing, you're getting:

  • Quick response times if there's an emergency
  • An open cost plan with no hidden fees
  • Plumbing technicians who know what does and doesn't work for MO homes
  • A company who wants to provide top-notch, stress-free service to Washington residents.

If you're confident that there's a crack in your sewer line, or if you just need an inspection to see what the problem is, we''ve got the experience necessary to find a solution. Give us a call at (636) 742-2533 or tell us about your plumbing issue online today.

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