Sewer line problems in St. Louis are heavily influenced by the age of the underground infrastructure. Older neighborhoods — Benton Park, Dutchtown, Tower Grove East, Carondelet, and much of North City — were built on clay sewer laterals that are now 60–100 years old.
What Our Sewer Line Services Cover
Sewer Camera Inspection
Waterproof camera through the sewer line shows pipe interior in real time. Required for City Sewer Lateral Repair Program.
View Sewer Camera Inspection detailsHydro Jetting
High-pressure water jetting (1,500–4,000 PSI) clears grease, mineral scale, and partial root intrusion.
View Hydro Jetting detailsSewer Lateral Repair
Structural repair for cracked, offset, or collapsed clay or cast iron sewer laterals.
View Sewer Lateral Repair detailsPipe Lining (CIPP)
Cured-in-place pipe lining creates a new structural interior without excavation.
View Pipe Lining (CIPP) detailsWhich Sewer Service Do You Need?
"My basement floor drain backs up when it rains or when I flush"
→ You likely need: Main sewer line blockage — start with camera inspection to identify root intrusion vs. scale buildup
"I want to know the condition of my sewer line before buying a house"
→ You likely need: Pre-purchase sewer camera inspection — full video documentation
"I've had the sewer line snaked twice this year and it keeps backing up"
→ You likely need: Root intrusion that cable snaking is cutting through but not clearing — hydro jetting or lateral repair assessment
"Camera showed a cracked or offset sewer lateral"
→ You likely need: Lateral Repair — with City Sewer Lateral Repair Program documentation if applicable
"I want to repair the sewer line without digging up my yard"
→ You likely need: Pipe Lining (CIPP) — assess whether lining is appropriate for the failure type first
How We Diagnose and Service Sewer Lines
Camera Inspection and Diagnosis
We run a camera from the cleanout to the MSD main, documenting root intrusion location, crack type, pipe material, and joint condition. The camera video is provided and is required documentation for the City Sewer Lateral Repair Program.
Clear and/or Repair
Partial root intrusion: hydro jetting at appropriate pressure. Full root intrusion with intact pipe: jetting then lining. Structural failure: excavation and lateral repair. Camera-before-jetting is our protocol on all clay lateral work.
Post-Service Camera and Documentation
After clearing or repair, we run a post-service camera to document the result. This provides documentation for the City Sewer Lateral Repair Program reimbursement application.
What Affects Sewer Line Service Cost?
Camera inspection
$200–$400 depending on line length and access. Applied toward repair cost if work is approved on the same call.
Hydro jetting
$250–$600. Lower end for residential lines with moderate buildup; higher for lines with heavy root intrusion requiring multiple passes.
Lateral repair — excavation
$3,500–$8,000+ depending on depth, length, and whether the repair falls in the right-of-way (covered by City/County program) or on private property.
Pipe lining (CIPP)
$3,000–$7,000 depending on line diameter and length. Less expensive than excavation when pipe alignment is intact.
City Sewer Lateral Repair Program
City of St. Louis reimburses up to 50% of qualifying right-of-way repair costs. St. Louis County municipalities have separate programs with varying caps ($2,500–$7,500+).
What Our Customers Say
"Floor drain backed up every time it rained hard. Plumber ran the camera and found root intrusion in the clay lateral about 25 feet out. Hydro jetting cleared it and he showed us the post-jetting video. Also helped us gather the paperwork for the City repair program."
"Pre-purchase inspection on a 1910 house. Camera found a partially offset clay lateral about 40 feet from the house — not backed up yet but a problem waiting to happen. Used the report in the price negotiation."
"Third sewer backup in three years. Camera finally showed a cracked lateral section that the snaking never fixed. Had the lateral repaired, submitted for the City program, and got 50% back on the right-of-way portion."
Related Plumbing Services
Sewer Line Services Across St. Louis
Sewer Line Services FAQ
Sewer Backup or Suspicious Drain Pattern?
Same-day camera inspection and service available in St. Louis.
314-237-0332