Why Your Pre-1980 Missouri Home Could Be Sitting on a Sewer Time Bomb

If you own a Missouri home built before 1980, you may be living with a hidden threat lurking beneath your property. Homes built prior to 1980 have a good chance of containing outdated plumbing materials that were considered standard decades ago but are now known to cause serious problems. Understanding when your sewer system needs professional evaluation could save you thousands of dollars in emergency repairs and protect your family’s health and safety.

The Hidden Dangers of Aging Sewer Systems

Homes built prior to the 1980s often feature original piping materials such as cast iron, galvanized steel, or sometimes clay—all of which can develop significant issues over time. Clay pipes, cast iron, and galvanized steel were the most commonly used forms back in the day, but all of these have been replaced with modern PVC plastics in recent years due to failure.

If your home was built prior to 1975 then you most likely have cast iron sewer lines. While cast iron was once considered durable, the newer, lower quality steel is prone to rusting, splitting and cracking, which can stop the normal flow of sewage and allow raw sewage to run in your yard or back up into your home.

Clay sewer pipes present their own unique challenges. A clay waste line is comprised of many short sections of pipe that fit together, and they’re short because the pieces are heavy, but short sections mean lots of joints where bad things can happen. When a breach in the wall of the pipe happens, roots, dirt, and everything in between begin to settle inside the pipe, and over time this will lead to a clogged waste line.

Warning Signs Your Sewer System Needs Professional Assessment

Missouri homeowners should watch for several key indicators that their aging sewer system requires immediate attention. If you have any wastewater backup, slow drains, or soft spots in your yard, you may need sewer line replacement. If clogs persist, assess water flow in nearby fixtures; simultaneous slow drains suggest a main sewer line issue.

Tree root intrusion is particularly common in older systems. Growing tree roots can break through cast iron sewage systems, clogging up the lines because these drains attract tree roots due to their heavy moisture. Root infiltration into your sewer lines can cause serious problems if not treated quickly and efficiently, as roots growing in sewer pipes can clog drains, back up wastewater, and even completely destroy pipes.

Why Professional Camera Inspection is Essential

Many homeowners attempt to diagnose sewer problems themselves, but this approach often misses critical issues. The most accurate way to check your entire sewer system is to have a sewer camera run through the main, as the camera can determine what type of piping you have and the condition of the piping.

Often, older homes have had previous repairs or sections of the sewer replaced, so you may think you have a PVC sewer line when in fact only parts of it are PVC tied into sections of cast iron. One of the hardest things to do at a home inspection is run enough water to catch a partially clogged line, especially in a vacant house, as most blockages are not 100% and water will pass through tree roots with little to no problem.

The MasterTech Advantage for Missouri Homeowners

When it comes to sewer line assessment and repair in Missouri, MasterTech Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is a local, family-owned company that has been serving Columbia and the Mid-Missouri area since 1991. They are your dependable defender of plumbing systems who provide quick, reliable solutions with respect and reasonable prices, bringing peace of mind when it matters most.

Their experts provide a full range of solutions ranging from drain cleaning and sewer services, and they arrive in mobile warehouses containing over 5,000 parts for quick, on-the-spot repairs. For homeowners in areas like Ashland who need expert sewer repair Ashland services, MasterTech’s comprehensive approach ensures thorough assessment and lasting solutions.

MasterTech serves Columbia, MO and approximately 30 miles around including Ashland, Boonville, Centralia, Fayette, Fulton, Kingdom City, Mexico, and Moberly. As a family owned and operated trades business, they have had the privilege of serving friends and neighbors throughout mid-Missouri since 1990.

Taking Action Before It’s Too Late

Addressing plumbing problems at the first sign of trouble can save you considerable time, expense, and repair in the future. If a sewer camera reveals rust, cracks, splits or thinning of the pipe, your best option is to have the line replaced as soon as possible.

Don’t wait for a sewer emergency to discover the condition of your aging system. If your Missouri home was built before 1980, scheduling a professional sewer line assessment should be a priority. MasterTech is proud to be an award-winning company dedicated to providing customers with the best possible service, offering a satisfaction guarantee on all work—if you’re not happy with their services, they’ll make it right.

Your home’s sewer system is too important to ignore. Contact a qualified professional today to ensure your family’s safety and protect your property investment from costly emergency repairs.