A burst sewer pipe is one of the worst things to happen to a property owner. The good thing about plumbing problems is that they can be resolved if caught early enough.
Unless you are experienced, it can be challenging to determine whether a plumbing system needs to be repaired. How can you tell if a sewer pipe has burst? What are some of the signs of a sewer pipe burst?
You need to know the signs of the broken sewer line to prevent plumbing system deterioration from worsening. If you suspect that your sewer line is damaged, these are the signs that you should look out for:
Gurgling Noise
Rotten Odour
Discoloured Water
High Water Bill
Slow Draining Water
Grassy Patches
Discoloured Pipes
Stagnant Water
Insects
Gurgling Noise
If drain pipes make unpredicted noises, a leak may be causing them. A restricted vent pipe, too much water pressure, or loose fittings may also be causing them.
Once in a while, it’s okay for pipes to make noise, but when they jiggle simultaneously, you’ve got a sewer line problem.
Rotten Odour Or Bad Smell
All drains must have connected traps and vents to comply with plumbing standards. A preventative measure is to install gutters and traps inside your home to prevent sewer gas from entering.
Two leading causes of rotten egg odour are a broken vent line or a dried-out trap. Filling traps with water may be possible to eliminate the odour, but you should check your pipes for leaks before doing so. Several skills and tools are required to identify the exact location of cracked sewer pipes in sewer vents.
Discoloured Or Brown Water
Is your water suddenly a different colour than it was before? Observing the colour of the water will let you know how much sediment, rust, or minerals are present. It is common for water with high levels of rust to turn red, yellow, or orange.
Your piping or mains may be rusted if your water looks brown when you use cold water. If the discolouration in your water persists, you might want to consider contacting a plumber to investigate the cause.
Higher Water Bill
Has your water bill spiked? A high water bill is often a sign of a leak in your plumbing. Check all the areas for any noticeable signs, and call a plumber.
Slow Draining Water
There is nothing abnormal about experiencing slow water flow occasionally, but a blocked pipe usually causes this. Sometimes, clogs can be cleared with a plunger, but that is not always true. A professional is generally needed, especially if the clog is significant or if there is a tree root intrusion inside the broken pipe.
If you don’t want to create more problems down the road, leave it to the experts who know how to handle plumbing solutions.
Grass Growing In One Section
In your yard, the presence of a green patch that seems bigger than the surrounding areas can indicate that you have a sewer problem.
It is especially problematic when patchy grass grows over the sewer line. Eventually, the leak causing the green patch in your yard may become a sinkhole due to excessive moisture. This is because of the excessive moisture. The sooner you deal with this problem, the less damage there will be to your home in the future.
Discoloured Pipes
There is no doubt that a pipe’s discolouration indicates that it has been exposed to a large amount of moisture.
This problem can be attributed to several factors, including
- Loose joints
- Leaks in the water supply line
- Dripping from the sink drains
Since a plumbing system depends on pressure, a small leak can cause major problems.
Stagnant water
If your stormwater drainage system is inefficient, you will notice standing water in your yard after heavy rainfall.
Water in your yard or where the sewer pipe runs may be signs you must investigate further. Even if no storms or rainfall events have occurred recently, you may want to consider looking into it. Standing water on the floor could indicate a leak in your plumbing, which could pose a health risk if left unresolved.
Ongoing Water Backup
If blockages or backups occur frequently after repeatedly cleaning your pipes, there may be an underlying cause, such as improper alignment of pipes or growing roots in the pipes.
This condition can be detected thoroughly and accurately using a drainage camera technique. Waiting will likely damage your sewer pipes, requiring them to be dug up for sewer line repair.
Insects & Rodents
The possibility of having a broken sewer pipe in your home is high when you see cockroaches and numerous other insects and rodents on your property.
Pests like roaches and flies can get into sanitary sewer line systems through cracks. The smallest openings in your home’s pipes have also been shown to be accessible to some roach species.
Contact Your Local Plumber!
When you notice any of these problems developing, it is best to contact a sewer expert who provides pipe relining services in Sydney as soon as possible. Our team at Service First Plumbing has the knowledge and tools to handle any sewer issue, whether big or small. So, please speak with our team!
