This is the plumbing blog for Chesterfield Express Plumbing, written for homeowners in Chesterfield, MO and nearby towns. The posts below explain common problems in plain language, say what you can safely check yourself and say clearly when to stop and call. Think of them as a first read before you pick up the phone.
Every post is general guidance. Your pipes, fixtures and house are unique, so a plumber who sees the problem in person will always know more than an article.
What the posts cover
Most topics follow what people actually run into. Drains that slow down or smell, hot water that runs out too soon, a ceiling stain with no obvious source, and pipes that freeze when the temperature drops. Each post names the tools a plumber would use, such as a drain machine, a pipe camera or a pressure gauge.
Some posts draw on local facts, for example Missouri American Water's 2021 quality report for the St. Louis region or the City of Chesterfield's sewer lateral repair program. Those details can change, so we point you to the source to check the current version.
Where to start by problem
Slow or smelly drains
Begin with how drain cleaning works and when a camera look through sewer inspection is the better first step.
Hot water trouble
Read about tank failure signs before you call for water heater repair, and compare that with water heater replacement when the unit is old.
Hidden water
A rising bill or damp wall calls for leak detection, and a split line in winter calls for burst pipe repair.
Wet basements
A basement that floods after storms is a case for sump pump installation and repair, often paired with grading or waterproofing questions.
How to use these guides well
- ✓Read for the decision, not the diagnosisA post can tell you whether a problem is urgent. It cannot tell you exactly what is wrong inside your wall.
- ✓Shut off first, read secondIf water is moving, close the main valve before reading anything. The posts will still be here.
- ✓Check local sourcesPermit rules, water quality and city programs change. Ask the City of Chesterfield, St. Louis County or your water utility for the latest.
- ✓Call when you reach the stop lineEach post says where DIY ends. Past that point, call the 24/7 line and describe what you found.
Rather talk than read?
A guide cannot see your pipes. A short call can narrow the problem.
Guidance versus a plumber's visit
A blog post cannot find a leak, see inside a drain or test a gas connection. It can help you decide how urgent something is, what to have ready for the call and what a fair repair looks like. We list cost factors, never job prices, because the right number depends on your home.
If you want to talk through a problem, call and describe it. You hear a clear price before work starts. The services page lists everything we handle, and the Wildwood and Town and Country pages show nearby towns we serve.
All Chesterfield plumbing guides
DIY Basement Waterproofing: What Chesterfield, MO Homes Need
Do it yourself basement waterproofing in Chesterfield, MO: which fixes work, which fail, how to find the water source and when to call a plumber.
Tankless Water Heater Leaking in Chesterfield, MO: Fixes
A tankless water heater leaking in Chesterfield, MO? See where the water comes from, what to shut off first and which leaks mean the unit is finished.
Irrigation System Leak Detection for Chesterfield, MO Lawns
Find a sprinkler or irrigation leak in Chesterfield, MO: soggy zones, low pressure, a jump in the water bill and a simple meter test with irrigation off.
Sump Pump Battery Backup Install in Chesterfield, MO
How to install a battery backup for a sump pump in Chesterfield, MO: pick a pump, set the check valve and float, and know when DIY is fine or not.
Cleaning Underground Gutter Drains: A Chesterfield, MO Guide
Cleaning underground gutter drains in Chesterfield, MO: find the cleanout, flush the line, spot a sump or storm tie-in and know when to call a plumber.
Will Coconut Oil Clog Drains? A Chesterfield, MO Answer
Will coconut oil clog drains in Chesterfield, MO? Yes, it solidifies in cool pipes. See what happens inside, what to do instead and when it is the main line.
Kitchen Faucets Repair in Chesterfield, MO: Leaks and Fixes
Kitchen faucets repair in Chesterfield, MO: track a leak to the spout, base or handle, fix the cartridge, aerator or hose, and decide repair or replace.
How to Install a Toilet Flush Lever in Chesterfield, MO
Step by step toilet flush lever replacement for Chesterfield, MO homes: shutoff, nut direction, chain slack, and when the flapper or fill valve is at fault.
Tankless Water Heater Size for a Family of 5, Chesterfield MO
What size tankless water heater fits a family of 5 in Chesterfield, MO? Work out GPM from your fixtures, add the temperature rise, then pick gas or electric.
Tankless Water Heater Temperature Setting in Chesterfield, MO
What temperature should a tankless water heater be in Chesterfield, MO? Compare setpoints, scald risk, kids, dishwashers, recirculation and scale in hard water.
Under Sink Garbage Disposal Installation in Chesterfield, MO
How to install an under sink garbage disposal in Chesterfield, MO: tools, mounting ring, dishwasher knockout, cord or hardwire, trap alignment and leak test.
What Is Sewer Pipe Lining? A Chesterfield, MO Guide
What is sewer pipe lining? A Chesterfield, MO guide to cured-in-place liners, camera inspection, what lining can and cannot fix, cost factors and digging.
Which Tankless Water Heater Do I Need? Chesterfield, MO Guide
Which tankless water heater do you need in Chesterfield, MO? Compare electric, gas, condensing and point-of-use units, plus venting, gas line, panel and upkeep.