7 Warning Signs That Your Home May Have A Leaky Sewer Pipe And Need A Plumber | Houston Heights

12/6/2020

Photo By Lukas Gojda at Shuttestock

Detecting a plumbing issue can be a tricky task. It is not as easily evident as a power cut. Yes, you might see your kitchen tap dripping or you might notice a clog in your toilet, but the more complex plumbing issues like a leaking sewer pipe, mostly happen out of sight, behind the walls of bathrooms and kitchens, or under the floor.

Most of the time, the problem worsens extensively before it comes to the homeowner’s notice, and then you have to contact an expert plumber from Houston Heights to fix the issue.

Signs of Leaking Sewer Pipes

To prevent matters from worsening, here are seven signs you should look out for early detection of leaks in sewer pipes.

1. Water Sounds

A sound of running water, or even a continuous drip, however faint it might be, signifies a leak in the sewer pipe. You might have checked all the valves and faucets but if the sound persists and it seems like it is coming from behind the walls or under the floor, then there is a leak.

The tricky thing is, the sound might not distinctly seem like water running at times because plumbing behind walls often creates strange echoes. If you are unsure about the nature of the sound but you suspect a leak, call a plumber.

2. Check the Water Reading

Checking the water reading is an efficient way to detect a leak. First, check the day’s reading at a particular time of the day. Then, do not use any water for a couple of hours. Then check the reading again.

If you haven’t used any water and yet the readings have gone up, you can be sure there is a leak somewhere. You need to resolve the issue quickly or else you will unnecessarily pay for the water you have not consumed.

3. Damp Floors

Sewer pipes are mostly placed beneath the floors, and if you have a basement, they run under the basement floor, very close to the foundation. If you find damp patches on the floor, then there could be a leak in the sewer pipe. If allowed to grow, the leak will weaken the foundation of the house.

In the case of basements, which often lack good ventilation, the dampness will increase at an alarming rate, ruining the flooring as well as the foundation over time. Ask a plumber, when it does, it will cost you a bit for the repairs.

4. Unpleasant Odor

If you suddenly find the air in your home becoming heavy, with a musty and unwelcome smell, then chances are your sewer pipe is leaking and the dirty water is swirling out just out of your view. This smell can engulf everything after a point if wastewater leaks out continuously.

This water is polluted and the dark and damp corners through which it flows will soon become a breeding ground for all kinds of pests and harmful insects like roaches and termites.

You will also notice mold and mildew growing rapidly, which will create a very unhealthy ambiance. You need to contact a plumber as soon as possible to fix the problem.

5. Overgrowth in the Garden

If you are aware of the layout of the drains and sewers under the house, and if you see grass and overgrowth rapidly increasing around it, then chances are they are being nourished by a leaking sewer or pipe. Your well-landscaped garden will soon be overcome by bushes and weeds sprouting out of random areas around the garden.

A plumber can tell you that you might also notice the soil being uncommonly wet in patches or growth of mildew and other fungi. Your garden will soon lose its beauty if you do not stop the incessant water flow from the leak.

6. Cracks in the wall

Cracks in the walls due to a leaking sewer pipe can escalate into a big problem. This is because the cracks do not just appear as soon as the sewer pipe starts leaking. By the time they appear, the leakage has considerably increased. T

he resultant moisture has seeped into the walls and affected its construction, causing the cracks to appear. With time they will widen and you will have to spend a lot on repair. Consult a plumber to resolve this issue soon.

7. Flooding

If your sewer pipes are leaking and the water is gushing out before it has reached its final destination, then you will find pools of water accumulating around the house. It could be under the sink, or your bathroom drain could overflow. Water might not flush out properly from the toilet either.

With the ground around your home already saturated with the leaking water from the sewer pipe, the area will become much more prone to flooding in case of rain. Houston Heights can experience some heavy rainfall at times and a leaking sewer problem will only add to the flooding issue.

Do You Think You Have a Leaking Sewer? Call a Plumber Today!

Contact expert plumbers in case of a leaking sewer pipe if you are a local resident. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston, we will send a team of expert plumbers who will detect the leak in the sewer, no matter how difficult it might be to reach it. We have the necessary tools and expertise to detect and then resolve the leaking sewer and we will make sure that all the related sewage and drainage issues are taken care of.

Leaking dirty water is unhygienic and we understand your concerns if you want to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Our quotes are reasonable and we will answer your queries. Call us at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston today for any plumbing issues you might have and our team will get back to you shortly.