Sewer line repair in Clayton

The houses

35% of Clayton's housing dates from before 1940 and 57% from before 1960. The median build year is 1954. When a lateral runs under a finished lower level, a stone walk or an old tree, what sits on top can cost more to put back than the pipe.

The city's program

Clayton defines the lateral as the pipe from 5 feet outside the foundation or outer wall to the main, and never the part under a building or structure. Owners of a house, townhouse, duplex or condominium, or of a small building with up to six units, can recover 100% of eligible costs up to $2,500.

Apply before any work starts, unless it is an emergency. A lateral can use the program once every three years.

The city's page doesn't describe a repair method, so it neither names lining nor rules it out. Ask Public Works before the work whether a lining job's costs are eligible.

Condominiums and small buildings

In a condominium or a small apartment building, settle who applies before anyone calls a contractor: the association, the owner of record, or a manager acting for them. Pipe under the building is outside Clayton's program, and it is often the part lining can reach without opening a floor.

The public side

MSD's Black Creek and Haddington Court relief project is replacing about 7,920 feet of undersized public sewers in Clayton, Ladue and University City to reduce basement backups. That is MSD's main, not the private lateral.

Who to call

• A backup from the public sewer: MSD, 314-768-6260.
• The lateral program: Clayton Public Works, 314-290-8540.

How lining works, step by step