6 Signs of a Leaking Sewer Pipe in Your Home

You can easily discover a clog through a slow-draining sink or an overflowing toilet bowl. However, a clog that occurs beneath the floors or in the walls is very difficult to notice. Nevertheless, the fact that sewer pipes are commonly hidden does not mean we should ignore them. Here are six signs you should watch out for to ascertain if your home is having leaking sewer pipes.

1. Sounds of Running Water

If after checking the toilet valves, the faucets, and even the outdoor spigots, you have not been able to unravel the source of sounds of running water, you need to take an accurate reading of your water meter. Then, do not use the water for several hours. If the water level remains the same, the sound is apparently not from the water. However, if there is a change in the reading, this is an indication that water is flowing and there is a likelihood of a leak somewhere in the sewer line.

2. Moist Floors

If the floor area is moist and you are sure that the household pet has not relieved himself on the floor, a sewer leakage is likely occurring somewhere. Whenever you come across such damp spots, pay serious attention to it, as mopping it with just a towel won’t solve the problem. If more moisture accumulates in your home, it will encourage the growth of mold and mildew, a condition that is harmful to the health, especially to those with a weak immune system.

3. Unpleasant Odors

If you experience terrible smells on the floor or behind walls, mold and mildew might be growing in your house as a result of pockets of moisture and water damage. As explained earlier, if you fail to find out the problem in less than 48 hours, the affected area will start breeding fungi.

4. Abnormal growth of lawn and garden

If you observe some patches of grass in different areas of your garden or unusual growth of other landscaping with attendant wet spots, there is a likelihood of pipe leakage causing fertilization in the areas. This situation usually leads to the buildup of harmful bacteria in the underground waste that can result in various hazardous conditions and may destroy the lawn and garden.

5. Wall Cracks

It may seem surprising that ordinary leaks can cause cracks in the wall or foundation of a home. It is indeed possible. Leaks in the sewer lines might result in a slight shift in the ground beneath, thereby leading to either diagonal or vertical cracking that can distort the foundation of the structure resulting in a potentially hazardous situation.

6. A Spike in Water Bill

A sudden rise in your water bill is one of the major signs of pipe leakage. This is because your bill gives you an accurate measure of your water consumption in a particular period of time, contrary to random signs that only give you a clue about a leak. Apart from unusual circumstances like having an extra guest or filling up the pool for the summer, you should not receive an unexplainable rise in your water bill. A typical water bill ranges between $10 and $15 per month. If you receive an unusually high bill, it is a clear indication of a leaking pipe.

Call us at 02 9158 6549 if you have something stuck in your drain and we will get a pro plumber to sort it out.