4 services · Missouri
Drains & sewer in Missouri
River flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi and heavy spring rain test Missouri basements and sewer laterals. Century-old clay laterals in St. Louis neighborhoods like Soulard and Tower Grove crack and collect roots.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Drains & sewer in Missouri: what to know
MSD's Project Clear in St. Louis and KC Water's overflow control program are reducing sewer overflows, but older homes can still see basement backups in big storms. The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County have separate permit offices.
A camera inspection shows whether a recurring clog is roots, a cracked pipe or an overloaded public sewer. A backwater valve and a clear lateral are the main protections.
- Climate
- Missouri gets periodic hard freezes and ice storms, often after mild spells, which catch exposed pipes off guard. Pipes in crawl spaces, exterior walls and garages are the first to freeze.
- Typical foundations
- Basements are common, especially around St. Louis and Kansas City, where many older homes have aging sewer laterals. Most common: basements.
Drains & sewer services
Drain cleaning
If one fixture is slow, the clog is usually in that fixture's branch line. If several drains back up at once, or the basement floor drain fills when you run the washer, the main sewer line is blocked and needs a larger cable or a jetter.
Hydro jetting
Hydro jetting cleans the full width of a drain pipe with high-pressure water, washing out grease, scale and fine roots that a cable only punches a hole through. It works best on sound pipe and is usually done after a camera inspection confirms the pipe can take it.
Sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the line from your house to the city main and records what it finds: roots, cracks, sags, offset joints or collapsed pipe. It's the best way to decide between cleaning, spot repair and replacement.
Sewer line repair
A damaged sewer line can be fixed with a spot repair, a trenchless liner, pipe bursting or an open-trench replacement. Which one fits depends on what the camera shows, how deep the pipe is, and what's on top of it, such as a driveway, trees or landscaping.
Drains & sewer by city in Missouri
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Drains & sewer questions in Missouri
How do I stop basement backups in Missouri?
Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the drains & sewer guide.
More plumbing in Missouri
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