Bobcat E35 Mini Excavator
If your home was built before 1970, there’s a good chance the original clay pipes are still down there. These systems were never meant to last forever, and at 70 to 100 years old, many of them simply aren’t anymore.
When that happens, you want someone who knows what they’re doing. Maplewood Plumbing has been helping St. Louis homeowners navigate sewer lateral problems since 1985. From aging clay pipes to fully collapsed lines, we bring decades of hands-on experience to every job.
St. Louis Sewer Lateral Experts for 40+ Years
Aging clay pipes, decades of root intrusion, and shifting soil create a predictable pattern of failures that most homeowners never see coming until a backup forces the issue. Whatever’s going on underground, rest easy knowing we have the tools and experience to handle it. Our sewer lateral services cover everything from routine inspections and clog removal to trenchless repairs and full replacement.
YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR SEWER LATERAL REPAIRS, REPLACEMENT & MORE
Sewer Lateral Inspections
Before anything else, we put a camera in the line. A sewer scope inspection gives us a real-time look at the interior of your lateral. We’ll look at the condition of the pipe walls, the location and severity of any damage, root intrusion, buildup, joint separation, or collapse. Everything is recorded on HD video with a full written report.
- High-definition video inspection of your entire lateral line
- Real-time monitoring and problem identification
- Precise depth and location mapping of problem areas
- Full written report with video documentation
- Pre-purchase inspections for homebuyers
If you’re buying an older home, we strongly recommend scoping the lateral before closing — it’s not covered by a standard home inspection, and a failing lateral is one of the more expensive surprises a new homeowner can inherit.
Sewer Lateral Clogs
Not every sewer problem means a full replacement. For less severe situations, sewer snaking may be all that’s needed to restore flow. It’s a fast, cost-effective way to break through blockages caused by roots, grease, or everyday buildup. But a clear drain doesn’t always mean a clean pipe.
If the camera reveals significant buildup like grease layers, mineral scale, or years of compacted debris, snaking alone may not be enough to fix the problem. That’s when hydro jetting becomes the right call.
- High-pressure water scours the full interior of the pipe clean
- Removes grease buildup, mineral scale, and compacted debris
- Ideal for laterals with years of deferred maintenance
- Can be performed as a standalone service or ahead of pipe lining
Sewer Lateral Repair
When the pipe is damaged but structurally sound enough to work with, pipe lining is often the most practical repair solution. We insert a flexible liner coated with epoxy resin into the existing pipe, inflate it against the walls, and cure it in place. Essentially, it creates a new pipe inside the old one.
- No excavation required
- Addresses cracking, corrosion, root intrusion, and leaking joints
- Finished liner rated for decades of service
- Sectional repairs available for isolated damage areas
- Joint sealing for leaking pipe connections
Lining works well for pipes with cracking, corrosion, minor root intrusion, and leaking joints. However, it’s not appropriate for a pipe that’s fully collapsed or severely offset (that’s where excavation comes in.)
Sewer Lateral Replacement
When a pipe is too far gone to repair (collapsed sections, severe root damage, significant joint separation, or complete failure) sewer lateral replacement is the right call. We dig to the line, remove the damaged section or the full lateral, and replace it with new PVC pipe built to last. We handle all excavation services in-house, including basement dig-up when interior access is needed.
- Full lateral replacement when repair is no longer sufficient
- Emergency excavation for major breaks and failures
- Yard line repairs for connecting sewer lines
- Basement dig-up when interior access is required
- Clean site restoration, we return your property to pre-work condition
- All work done in-house, no subcontractors
Old Pipes Don’t Fix Themselves…
If your home is pushing 50, 60, or 70+ years old, the question isn’t if your sewer lateral will need attention — it’s when. Don’t wait for the worst. Call us today at (314) 645-6350 to see what’s really going on underground.
Common Sewer Lateral Issues We Solve
With many homes in the greater St. Louis metro approaching the century mark, sewer lateral repair is one of the most common calls we receive. We regularly address these critical issues:
- Collapsed clay pipes
- Root infiltration
- Joint separation
- Cracking and scaling
- Complete pipe failure
- Bellied pipe sections
- And more
Why Homeowners Choose Maplewood Plumbing
While other plumbers shy away from complex sewer lateral work, we’ve spent four decades mastering it. Here’s a few things that set us apart:
We handle everything in-house.
From the first camera inspection to final backfill and cleanup, every part of your sewer lateral repair or replacement is done by our own licensed team. No subcontractors, no finger-pointing, just straightforward accountability from start to finish.
We know St. Louis sewer systems.
Our plumbers understand the unique challenges of lateral work in this city, particularly in homes with original clay pipe. That local knowledge lets us diagnose problems accurately and recommend solutions that hold up long-term.
We use advanced technology.
HD camera systems, trenchless lining equipment, and precision locating tools allow us to see exactly what’s going on and address it with minimal disruption to your property wherever possible.
We’re upfront about pricing.
You’ll receive a detailed estimate before any work begins, with a clear explanation of what we found, what we’re recommending, and why. If there are multiple options, we’ll walk through each one. Financing is available for larger sewer lateral repairs and replacements.
Contact St. Louis’ Sewer Lateral Repair Experts
Whether you’re dealing with an active problem, noticing early warning signs, or simply want to know the condition of your line before something goes wrong, Maplewood Plumbing has the experience and equipment to handle it. Contact us today to get started, or fill out the contact form below.