What we can confirm about Laurel Bluffs
Two listings, on Laurel Bluffs Drive, give 2006 as the year built. One of them places the home in Hazelwood Township and the Hazelwood School District, with public water and public sewer. It describes a cul-de-sac lot that backs to common ground, and mentions a walk-out basement and a homeowners association.
Those details come from single listings, so treat them as a starting point. Confirm your own water and sewer service with the utilities before you rely on them. A home of this age has had about two decades of daily use, which is the useful fact for any plumbing decision here.
What plumbing from the mid-2000s needs next
Plumbing that is 20 years old is not failing by default. It is old enough that the parts with a limited life have probably used it up. Tank water heaters often last 8 to 12 years, so an original unit is well past that range, and one that was replaced may be nearing it.
- A water heater older than ten years, or one with rust at the base or a damp floor around it.
- Toilets that run on or refill slowly, which often means worn rubber parts.
- Shutoff valves under sinks that will not turn or weep when moved.
- Washing machine hoses that are hard, bulging or more than a few years old.
Rubber parts matter here because Missouri American Water treats its water with chloramines. That does not harm copper, but flappers and seals still wear. A worn toilet part is a toilet repair, and an aging heater is a decision for water heater replacement before it fails.
Repair or replace at 20 years
| Item | What wears | Usual first step |
|---|---|---|
| Tank water heater | Tank lining, anode, valves | Inspect, then plan a replacement if it is past ten years |
| Toilet | Fill valve and flapper | Replace the worn part |
| Sink and tub drains | Buildup from soap and hair | Clear the line, then scope it if it returns |
| Supply shutoffs | Seals and stems | Replace any valve that will not close fully |
A water heater that is old or leaking, or a drain that keeps slowing down? Call and tell us what you see.
Call (314) 461-6239A walk-out basement and the lowest drain in the house
At least one Laurel Bluffs listing mentions a walk-out basement. If your lower level has a bathroom, laundry or floor drain, that is the lowest opening in the house. In a main line backup, sewage rises there first, so a gurgling floor drain is a warning worth a call.
Keep floor drains clear and do not store anything you cannot lose near them. If one backs up, stop using water in the house. A camera look through sewer camera inspection shows whether roots or a belly in the line are the cause.
Common ground behind your lot
A lot that backs to common ground means trees and drainage outside your property line may belong to the association. Roots from large trees can reach a sewer lateral, but the lateral that serves your house is generally yours. Ask your association what it maintains, and who to tell if you see standing water behind your lot.
Before we visit Laurel Bluffs
These steps help the visit go quickly.
Utilities and permits for Laurel Bluffs homes
The City of Hazelwood names Missouri American Water for water and the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District for sewer. The sewer line from your house to the public main is generally the owner's responsibility, so confirm with MSD at 314-768-6260 before you pay for a repair.
The City says plumbing permits and inspections are handled through St. Louis County, and Inspections and Permits at 314-513-5034 can explain the steps for a water heater swap or a new line. Tell any plumber you hire to pull the permit the job needs.
Laurel Bluffs on the map
The map centers on Laurel Bluffs Drive in the 63042 ZIP code.
More Hazelwood neighborhoods
Older houses in Hazelwood raise different questions. Our Riverwood Trails page covers a community where a listing gives 1978 as the year built. For the whole city, see our Hazelwood plumbing home page, and for hidden leaks see leak detection.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Laurel Bluffs is a subdivision in ZIP code 63042 on Laurel Bluffs Drive and Upper Laurel Bluffs Court. The map above centers on the main street. We do not claim exact boundaries, so give us your street when you call.
Two listings give 2006 as the year built, which makes the original plumbing about 20 years old. Your own home may have had parts replaced since then, so check the water heater label and ask previous owners what was updated.
A tank heater past ten years is worth planning for, because failures often show up as water on the floor. A planned swap costs less in damage than an emergency one. See water heater installation for how a replacement works.
That depends on your association. A listing mentions common ground behind a cul-de-sac lot and a homeowners association, so ask the association who maintains trees, drainage and any shared lines.
A listing for one home reports public water and public sewer. Confirm yours with Missouri American Water and with MSD at 314-768-6260, since a listing is not a utility record.
Questions about your situation? Call and tell us your street.
Call (314) 461-6239