Groundwater that’s risen due to this spring’s heavy rains could cause water in your saturated soil to push into your home’s foundation slab (whether the slab is under your basement flooring or under your home’s first floor). That type of pressure could cause your pipes to rupture or leak.
Builders and developers often place sewer lines under your home’s slab, which makes it hard to detect when these lines have broken or sprung a leak.
To help you detect when your home’s sewer line is broken and/or leaking, we’ve put together a shortlist of things below that could indicate that your sewer line is leaking.
9 Ways To Detect If Your Sewer Line Needs Repair
If you notice water on your basement floor, you well could have a leak in your sewer line.
- Perhaps the most obvious sign your sewer line has broken or is leaking is moisture on your first floor or basement floor. If your carpet is wet, there’s probably a leak.
- The most common clue is the smell of rotten eggs coming from your pipes. This could be a sign that your sewer line is leaking. (It also could be an indication that your sewer line has backed up.)
- Pipes in different rooms of your home are backing up at the same time. This could mean a blockage in your main sewer line, but it also could mean that a sewer line has broken or cracked.
- Do you see a puddle of water that consistently settles in your yard? And it tends to stay there, even when it hasn’t rained in several days? Your sewer line or even a main plumbing line could be leaking.
- If you have a bare basement floor – or garage – do you notice cracks forming? This could be a sign that your sewer line is having trouble. If you have sidewalks that go over a main or sewer line, cracks in them also could be a sign of leakage/breakage.
- Is your water bill higher than usual? If so, check for leaks in all toilets, faucets (indoors and out) and showerheads. If none are leaking, a higher water bill could mean an underground pipe has sprung a leak or has broken.
- Does your water meter move, even if no one is using any water in your home? After checking for leaks, go check your water meter and note its reading. Then ask everyone in your home to use no water for half an hour or so. Once the time has passed, go read your water meter. If it’s moved, you have a leak somewhere.
- The sound of water running in your walls often is a sign of a leak.
- Are your showers and sink drains draining slowly? Are your faucets? These could be signs of a sewer line leak.
When It Comes To Sewer Line Repair, Plumbing Dynamics Can Help
Unfortunately, sewer leaks are never an easy fix (and they’re never something you should try to repair yourself). Plumbing Dynamics has repaired the sewer line leaks or ruptures of many Dallas-area homes and businesses. If you are experiencing trouble with your sewer line, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
