10 Indicative Signs of Sewer Line Damages

A busted sewer pipe is easily every property owner’s nightmare. But, as with any plumbing trouble, with early detection, is very much repairable. However, for anyone without the slightest idea of the whys and wherefores of plumbing, it can be taxing to determine if it needs attention. So, what are the signs that indicate you have a busted sewer pipe? We will highlight some signs of sewer line damages below that you should be watchful. Taking note of these signs can save your plumbing system from reaching a point of a complete breakdown.

Here are some of the signs that indicate that you have a busted pipeline.

1. Pipe turning to a different colour – Pipe discolouration specifically around the joint is a strong indication of a high level of moisture. This problem can be caused by either loose or misaligned joints, dripping from sink drains, or something more severe, such as leaks in the water supply line. Pressure makes plumbing lines work, which means that even a slow leak has the potential in quickly turning into a costly problem.

2. Drains taking forever – While it is normal to experience slow flow from time to time if all your drains seem like it is taking forever, this is a clear sign of a clog restricting the water to pass through. Some clogs are manageable to dislodge with just a pump, other times it can be difficult especially when it is because of a sizable clog or a tree-root growing inside the pipe that requires an expert’s hands. If you’re better off not producing more problems down the line, leave it to the ones equipped in plumbing.

3. Rotten egg smell – As standards in plumbing, all drains must have traps and vents working hand-in-hand. Drains and traps keep sewer gas from entering your homes. Vents are designed to direct sewer smell to the roof, while drain traps are intended to block sewer smell from entering the sink drain. If a stinky smell of rotten egg is emanating your home, that only means a vent line has a fracture, and the odour has passed through it, or the trap has dried up. Eliminating the smell can be fixed by pouring traps with water, but you may want to consider checking your pipes for leaks. Pinpointing the exact location of a cracked sewer vent is difficult, as they require special skills and tools. 

4. A sudden jump in water bill – Did your water bill suddenly shoot up but you can’t find signs of leaks anywhere? You can verify this by checking your water meter. If both the leak indicator and the sweep hand is spinning out of control, there’s a leak in your plumbing system that needs urgent attention. Unfortunately, shutting off the main water line is not going to stop the leak. If you’re better off not paying a soaring high water bill again, get a plumber to fix it right away. Leaks can quickly turn into a big leak when left ignored, and overtime makes your pipe fail.

5. A more green patch in the yard – One obvious sign of sewer trouble is a much greener patch of your yard than other areas around it; this is specifically true if the patch lies on the ground above the sewer pipe. The bad news is over time the leaking that is making this green patch come out in your yard will likely develop into a sinkhole due to excessive moisture. So it is best to nip this problem in the bud right away before it can cause costly damage to your property.  

6. Standing water that never goes away – It is normal to see standing water around your property after heavy rainfall when your stormwater drainage system is not that efficient at routing water to the kerb. But if you notice water in your yard or where your sewer pipe runs even when storm or rainfall events have not happened lately, be curious. Standing water is an obvious sign of a leak in the plumbing that can raise health concerns when left to go on. 

7. Strange gurgling sounds – Noisy pipes are another indication of a leak, especially when drain pipes make noise just out of the blue. Often, a high water pressure, loose-fitting, or a restricted vent pipe causes this noise to appear. While it is common for pipings to make some sounds at times, if it also jiggles in addition to the noise all day long, you have a problem at hand. Whilst there are ways to sort out gurgling sounds, it is difficult for property owners to spot where it originates without proper tools and trained eyes.

8. Brown, yellow, red, orange water colour – Do you notice a strange colour in your water just all of a sudden? Depending on the colour you see, this will give you a clue about the oxidation level of sediment, rust, or minerals present in the water. High levels of rust change the colour of the water to red, yellow or orange. If the colour of water only appears when you are using cold water, there is likely a chance that the rust came from your pipings or the mains. However, if the colour continues for a long time, it is time for you to call the plumber to examine the cause of that colour in your water. Usually, the case is a result of pipe corrosion.

9. Frequent backups and blockages – If sewer backups or blockages occur in great frequency even after repeated pipe cleaning, then your sewer pipe may have an underlying issue such as tree root intrusion or misaligned pipe joints. These issues can be verified and thoroughly detected through drain camera inspection. Putting off this problem will make your sewer pipes reach the point where digging is the only means to repair it.

10. Insight roaches and other insects – Believe it or not, when you start to see roaches and other swarming insects in your property, there is a big chance that you have a broken sewer line. Insects such as roaches, sewer flies, palmetto bugs have natural skills to squeeze through sanitary sewer cracks than rats. Some types of roaches can also fit into the tiniest openings in your pipes more than you imagine. So if they start catching your attention now take immediate steps to contact the sewer experts such as those that offer pipe relining services Sydney. Pipe relining Sydney companies have all the tools and knowledge when it comes to any sewer-related troubles.