Plumbing issues can be surprisingly problematic if you’re not aware of the signs to look out for. If you leave them alone for too long, it could cause serious damage to your home, all while becoming more and more expensive to repair as the days go by.
A collapsed drain is perhaps one of the most pressing issues that you should aim to fix as soon as you can. If left unchecked, it can lead to a damaged foundation, structural problems, and even an increased likelihood of pests and rodents invading your home. So here are some of the signs to look out for if you suspect your drains have collapsed.
Awful smells in and around the home
One of the most obvious signs that you might have a collapsed drain is if there are awful smells around your home. While there are many potential reasons for this, a collapsed drain can usually cause a backup of sewage and waste which will eventually start to smell. If you’re getting nasty smells around your home in addition to some of the other signs below, then there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with collapsed drains in your home.
Damp floors and walls around the home
A collapsed drain can cause water to leak in various areas around the home. Sometimes it might be in the structure of your home such as the walls, and sometimes it might be in the floor. Regardless of where the collapsed drain is, you might notice that some walls, floors, or even ceilings can feel and look damp. This is because the water is leaking out of the pipes since it’s not being routed out of the home, leading to moisture damage.
Slow drains
If your drains have become noticeably slower over the past couple of months or years then it may just be due to a blockage. However, if the problem occurs suddenly then it could be due to a collapsed drain. If the water isn’t being led out of your home properly, then there’s a good chance that it’ll back up and cause your drains to be slow. The best ways to tell if this is a problem is if your taps can fill up a sink basin faster than it drains, or if showering causes water to pool up around your feet.
Sunken areas in the yard
When water leaks out of your plumbing system, it can soften the ground around it which causes the earth to sink a little. This usually causes a part of your yard to sink down a bit. If you know that there are plumbing lines running through your yard, then there’s a good chance that a collapsed drain is causing water to leak out and weaken the earth around your home. This is a problem that needs to be fixed as soon as possible before it starts to affect the structure of your home.
Conclusion
If you’re worried about a potential collapsed drain then it’s essential that you call an experienced plumber and have them examine the situation thoroughly. They’ll be able to diagnose the issue and tell you if the problem really is a collapsed drain and guide you on how to get it fixed.
