Having a problematic drainage system is the last thing you want to experience. For starters, it can bring tons of difficulties around your home, from a blocked toilet to overflowing. What is more, it can cause significant health issues. Considering all of these, it is only imperative that you know whether or not you have a collapsed drain or blocked drain. More importantly, once you have determined the signs, you should know what to do next.
What Makes a Drain Collapsed?
There are a lot of things that cause a drain to collapse. A common factor, however, is a frequent blockage in the pipe, causing the drain to eventually collapse. If your pipes are blocked, water becomes lost into the ground. And since flooding takes place thereafter, the pressure is created on the drainage system and, thus, a collapsed drain happens. Unfortunately, many homeowners only realize they have a collapsed drain when it already happens.
To help you combat this, we have listed the most common signs of a collapsed drain. Make sure to look out for these, so you will know exactly what to do.
Signs of a Collapsed Drain
Slow Running Drains
This one right here is the most common sign of a collapsed drain. Blockages in the drain can build up over time. The moment you notice them, it is already too late – the drains have already collapsed. A slow running drain is a strong sign that your drain has already collapsed, so make sure not to take this one for granted.
The Smell of the Sewage
A drainage problem that is actually easily recognizable. And if you have one, then there is no doubt that your drainage system is experiencing issues. In most cases, this is a sign that your backed up water is leaking out of the pipes. The latter, on the other hand, could be due to a collapsed drain pipe. If you smell something odd in your garden or in the house, then it is possible you are suffering from a collapsed drain.
Damages around the Area/Building
If your collapsed drain has been sitting there for quite some time, then these signs and/or symptoms will start to be clearer than ever. A crack or damage in your home is definitely an extreme sign of a collapsed drain. The crack is caused by the water leaking into the very structure of your home. And as time goes by, this crack becomes more noticeable as the water sits there for a very long time. Unfortunately, this is something that you want to address immediately. That is because the leaking of water can affect the quality and structural integrity of your home. Calling a professional drainage company is going to be your most ideal option here, especially since its technicians know exactly what to do.
Damp around the House
Another sign that clearly tells you have a collapsed drain is damp. It tends to appear inside your home, particularly near the area where the collapsed drain is. Damp is a result of water not being able to leave your home or building. It can situate itself on walls, floors, or just almost anywhere in your property. Much like the aforementioned, damp around your house or building is a strong indicator that you have a collapsed drain.
Tree Roots near the Drainage System
Do you have trees in your garden? Or perhaps they are growing on the very edge of your house? If so, their roots can greatly pose a threat to your overall drainage system. In fact, tree roots are infamous for growing into drains; hence, the latter eventually breaks or cracks. Sure, you can resolve this issue through rodding and/or drain jetting, but these options only remove the tree roots to some extent. Your best course of action is to actually remove the tree from the area. From there, just make sure you install a brand new drain.
Drains Are Just Too Old
Old age is one of the many reasons why your drains have collapsed. This is especially common in properties that are much older. Aging pipes are a pain to handle, so it is best to remove and replace them with a new one. If your drain is so old, it is only right to install a new pipe system. This one can even last for another decade.