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Maki Sewer and Drain service van servicing West St. Paul, MN
Serving West St. Paul, MN · Dakota County

West St. Paul sewer & drain cleaning done right the first time

West St. Paul requires a cleared, camera-inspected sewer lateral when a home changes hands — and root intrusion in mid-century clay pipe is what usually stands in the way. That's what we do: kitchen sinks, tubs, floor drains, main lines, and camera-guided diagnostics for West St. Paul homeowners and businesses.

✓ Local & owner-operated ✓ Insured ✓ Same-day service

The Maki Sewer and Drain service van, loaded and serving West St. Paul, MN.

West St. Paul sewer & the city I&I program

The point-of-sale sewer inspection rule every West St. Paul seller runs into

West St. Paul won the League of Minnesota Cities' City of Excellence Award for its Inflow & Infiltration program — and that program has real teeth. City Code § 50.08 requires an inspection of the private sewer lateral before a property is sold or conveyed, and again when the city orders a street improvement project on your block.

Certificates of compliance last 25 years after a full line replacement or lining, 10 years after a spot repair. Non-compliance penalties run $50/month for owner-occupied single-family homes and $300/month for rental, commercial, industrial, and HOA properties.

Sources: West St. Paul City Code § 50.08

About West St. Paul

What we see in West St. Paul homes

West St. Paul sits in Dakota County, and it runs one of the most active inflow-and-infiltration programs in the metro — which means the condition of your sewer lateral is a matter of public record here in a way it isn't in most cities.

Housing stock: Homes here were built primarily in the 1950s and 1970s — a classic post-war inner-ring suburb, with a median age of housing well above the metro average.

Common pipe material: Mid-century construction means clay and cast iron are common in the older sections. The city's own ordinance language specifically anticipates root intrusion, joint degradation, mineral scaling, and misaligned joints in private laterals.

What we see most in West St. Paul: Root intrusion and joint degradation in aging clay laterals — the exact defects the city's point-of-sale inspection is written to catch.

Neighborhoods and areas we regularly work in: The Robert Street corridor, Delaware Avenue, Marie Avenue, and the residential blocks between them.

ZIP codes we serve in West St. Paul

West St. Paul ZIP codes, by area

Here is how the West St. Paul ZIP codes we drive to line up on the map.

All of West St. Paul — 55118

55118

55118 also covers parts of Mendota Heights, Lilydale, and Sunfish Lake. If your West St. Paul address is not coming up, call 612-382-7397 — we serve the entire city and most surrounding communities.

On the ground in West St. Paul

What West St. Paul looks like from our van

Real photos from real service calls — we’re out here every week.

Maki Sewer and Drain service van servicing West St. Paul, MN
Serving West St. Paul, MN The Maki Sewer and Drain service van, loaded and serving West St. Paul, MN.
Local sewer authority

Who handles what in West St. Paul

Sewer service in West St. Paul is run by the city's own Sewer Department. Here is who to call for what, plus the ordinance that governs your side of the line.

West St. Paul Sewer Department

Homeowner vs. city responsibility

City Code § 50.08(D): the property owner owns and is responsible for routine maintenance and repair of the private sewer lateral, including the connection to the city main. § 50.08(C) defines that lateral as all sewer service pipe running from the city main to the building it serves. The city owns the main, which typically runs down the center of the street.

A useful test the city itself publishes: if your sewer backs up only when a faucet is running or a toilet is flushed, the blockage is probably in your service line. If it backs up with no water running at all, it's more likely the city main. If you're not sure, we can put a camera down and confirm before anyone digs.

📍 Local construction update

Delaware Avenue reconstruction moves ahead — CP 25-3

What's happening in West St. Paul right now

At the June 22, 2026 City Council meeting, the council held a public improvement hearing and authorized preparation of plans and specifications for the Delaware Avenue Reconstruction Project (CP 25-3), presented by City Engineer and Public Works Director Beckwith. The same meeting approved a Sewer Utility budget amendment for temporary staffing.

What this means for your drains

Street reconstruction in West St. Paul carries a consequence most homeowners don't see coming:

  • Your inspection gets triggered — under § 50.08(H)(1)(b), a city-ordered street improvement project requires a private lateral inspection for properties on or adjacent to the project area. Being on the block is enough.
  • Roots have to come out first — the ordinance requires a clearly televised line, and a root-packed lateral fails before the camera even goes in.
  • Repairs under the roadway are still yours — § 50.08(L)(3) puts repairs on the property owner even when the defect sits under the street, though you can't excavate there without the City Engineer's permission.

If you're on or near Delaware Avenue, getting the line cleared and scoped ahead of the city's schedule puts you in front of it rather than reacting to a notice.

Call 612-382-7397 or book a camera inspection.

Source: City of West St. Paul — Council Minutes, June 22, 2026

Source: City of West St. Paul — Council Minutes, June 22, 2026 · Updated 2026-08-01

Why West St. Paul homeowners call Maki

Straight answers, honest work, the right method for your line

Local, not a franchise

Owner-operated. You get the person doing the work. When you call, you get the person doing the work — not a call center.

Camera-equipped

Every main line clog gets a look. You see what we see. No mystery invoices, no upsell for repairs that are not needed.

Right tool for the job

Cable, jet, or camera-guided repair — we match the method to the actual problem, not to the biggest ticket.

Same-day, most days

West St. Paul is inside our normal service window. If you call before mid-afternoon, most days we can be out today.

Nearby cities we also serve

West St. Paul and the surrounding area

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Sewer or drain problem in West St. Paul?

Tell us what is going on and we will follow up fast — usually same day.

Frequently asked questions — West St. Paul

How fast can you get to West St. Paul?

We typically respond same-day for drain calls in West St. Paul. Call 612-382-7397 in the morning for best odds of same-day service; we'll give you an honest ETA before we roll.

Do you serve every ZIP code in West St. Paul?

Yes — West St. Paul is served by ZIP code 55118, and we cover all of it plus the surrounding community. Call to confirm your address.

Does West St. Paul require a sewer inspection before selling a house?

Yes. West St. Paul City Code § 50.08 requires an inspection of your private sewer lateral before a property is offered for sale or conveyance, unless a valid certificate of compliance is still in force. The ordinance also requires the owner to clear the line of root intrusions and blockages first, so the lateral can be clearly televised from the building to the city main. Certificates last 25 years after a full replacement or lining, and 10 years after a spot repair. If a seller can't complete repairs before closing, the buyer can sign a written acknowledgment assuming responsibility within one year.

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