A sewer leak at your home in Southern California is a severe problem, as you can probably guess. It’s not only grossly unsanitary but also really unpleasant to be around! Repairing hidden sewer leaks can be pricey, but ignoring them might be even more expensive.
Unfortunately, suppose an issue with your sewer system is buried. In that case, you might only know there is a problem once you get your water bill. Suppose you have a water bill that is in the hundreds of dollars or perhaps the thousands of dollars; this is an indication that you may be dealing with a hidden sewer leak.
What could be worse than a sewer pipe that is leaking? A sewer pipe has broken open. If that happens, you’ll have an even greater mess on your hands that will require even more cleaning. You will be happy to know that there are a few different methods you may use to detect a sewer leak before it results in a burst pipe.
Most homeowners tend to believe that “if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind” when it comes to their main sewer lines. Homeowners are not required to spend any day inspecting their central sewer systems daily. Thus, they only commit a little mental capacity to be concerned about them.
But the issue is that the main sewer line that serves your house will only be in good working order for a while. Before the need for main sewage line replacement arises, you can expect that the majority of main sewer lines can last only fifty to one hundred years.
Do you want to find out how to identify a broken sewer line? Here are some warning signs that will let you know it’s time to call a licensed plumber in Southern California to replace the main sewer line in your home.
The Sluggishness of Drains in your House
Some properties may have multiple slow-moving drains, but this is rare. In many circumstances, slow draining can be attributed to the accumulation of food particles, hair, soap scum, and other debris.
The bright side is that clearing drains is usually not too difficult for the average person. The two options available to them are:
- Attempts in DIY drain cleaning,
- Hiring a professional, like Western Rooter.
If you notice that most of the drains in your home are moving water more slowly than usual, you may have a more significant issue. A broken sewer line that cannot empty your drains quickly could cause a series of slow drains.
To begin, you should still call a Southern California plumbing company to clear the drains. If you find that isn’t helping, you may hire them to inspect your sewer pipe and, if required, replace your main sewer line in SoCal.
Uncommon Sounds
Hearing water dripping or gushing through pipes continually might be unsettling. If you hear water constantly running, there may be a problem with the sewage system. Turn off the water and examine the toilet to make sure. The dripping or gurgling sounds you’re still hearing result from sewage water leaking from the pipes in your ceiling or walls.
The following are some possible solutions to the problem of constantly flowing water in your pipes:
- Modify the float’s position
- Adjust the flapper
- Reduce the length of the refill tube
- Fill the water tank and fix the water heater’s slab leak
As soon as you detect this is the problem, call the nearest professional plumber in Southern California to assess and repair the damage.
Soaring Water Bills
You may have a sewer leak if your water bill has consistently increased without significant changes in your water usage. There is likely a leak somewhere in your system if your water bill creeps upward. Our professional Southern California Plumbers team can locate the leaks in your home’s plumbing system that are driving up your water costs and repair them.
Foul Odor
If you smell sewage in your home, you should first look for the source in the bathroom, as that fixture makes the most sense. Sometimes, no air freshening or fans can get rid of lingering bathroom or toilet scents, no matter how well you scrub the surfaces.
When no amount of effort seems to alleviate the stench, it’s safe to assume that something more serious is at play. Your nose will be your first indication in locating the source of the sewage smell, so check the following areas and note if the odor is more pronounced in any of them. If you notice a sewage stench in your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, it may be a sign of a more serious problem than just a clogged drain.
Early response is necessary since it may have originated in the sewer system. If a dried-out P-trap is to blame, turning the faucet should be enough to fix the issue. A broken vent pipe could necessitate the aid of a licensed plumber. If you have a broken pipe, don’t worry — our Southern California plumbers are here to help.
Wet/ Moist Floor
Signs of a sewer leak include floors that are soft or damp to the touch. A series of pipes and fixtures go through the house and connect to an external sewage system. Interior flooring is damaged and discolored as water collects around these connections due to seepage. A wet area on the carpet could be an indication that water is rising from an underground sewer leak.
Changes in Water Color
The water from your faucet should be clear, but if you have any concealed leaks, it could not be. Your hidden leak may become more noticeable as the water changes color from clear to brown, yellow, or green. Though discolored water isn’t necessarily a symptom of a sewage problem lurking below the surface, it can indicate a leaking pipe or rust in the plumbing system. Corroded copper pipes could be the cause of the water’s green color. If you detect any changes in your plumbing, make sure to call your best option of plumbers in Southern California.
The Pipes Appear to Be Very Old
A visual assessment is one of the quickest and most straightforward ways to identify the source of a hidden problem. A quick look under the sink and at pipes that are buried or camouflaged can reveal whether or not there is a leakage in the sewer system. At the very least, you should perform this inspection at least twice a year, preferably once before you put on the air conditioning and once again when the temperatures begin to drop.
Low Water Pressure
There is a high likelihood that the low water pressure you experience while taking a shower, doing the laundry, or operating the dishwasher is not an indication of a more serious underlying plumbing issue in your home. The problem may be inside the municipal water supply in your area.
On the other hand, if the water pressure is low at all of your taps and it takes time for the water to drain, you may have a hidden leak in your main line. The water won’t even get into your house if you have a hidden puncture in the mainline. Instead, it may flood a neighbor’s property, keeping the problem disguised for extended periods.
Rodents and Pests
You might wonder why rats and other pests appear in your house. Water leaks attract rodents because they provide a constant water supply. Therefore, if standing water and leaves are in your eaves and gutters, rodents will be attracted to your home. Besides rodents, water leaks can also bring in insects and spiders.
Leaks in the plumbing lines beneath the floors, in the walls, or in the area behind the sink cabinets are significant problems. Wetting the wood, insulation, laminate, and concrete used in your home’s construction as water drips out from the leak’s origin.
Cracks
The shifting ground produced by leaking sewer lines might cause cracks in your home’s foundation. The structural integrity of your home’s foundation is compromised as water gathers around cracks and holes. Concrete driveways, patios, and walkways can crack from a sewer leak.
Why Call Western Rooter?
SoCal Plumbing services are required for more than just clearing the drains. To determine if the current state of your main sewer line warrants concern, you will need them to conduct a thorough inspection.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar and you suspect a sewage leak, you should contact a professional plumber in Southern California immediately. We can assess the condition of your plumbing system. Get in touch with us right away to schedule a meeting.
