Did you ever smell something strange or saw a strange leak in your backyard and never got to the bottom of the issue? The issue may not be within your house whatsoever. In most situations the actual crisis may be lurking beneath.
The underground plumbing system does a lot in ensuring smooth running of your home. Its efficiency cuts off the view of the movement of water in and waste out, and it is finished. However, due to its out-of-sight property, it is easy to forge, thereby leading to a failure when something goes wrong.
Carelessness in noticing signs of underground plumbing trouble may result in serious damage, huge repair costs, and even health hazards. Normally, in this blog, we will guide you in identifying the early warning symptoms, inform you about the true state of affairs beneath your house, and show you how to prevent an unprotected plumbing system from becoming an expensive sinkhole.
Common Signs That Underground Plumbing Needs Attention
The underground plumbing becomes an issue, and you are not supposed to be digging up your yard to realise the problem is there. The signs are numerous and often hidden, as they are not visible above ground. These are some of the indications that you can not overlook:
1. Water Pressure Drops and Persistent Leaks
Have you experienced water pressure suddenly failing, especially when multiple water faucets are in use? These might not be mere old fixtures. Faulty and blocked underground plumbing lines reduce water flow, resulting in uneven pressure throughout your house.
Granted, the same applies to relentless leaks. A persistent issue that reappears even after you have managed to repair the visible part could also be a red flag. The broken underground pipes usually impose pressure alterations that lead to the emergence of new leaks in indoor plumbing.
2. Unusual Smells or Damp Spots in the Yard
The odors reported to be causing foul smells in your house or the areas that are perpetually wet even in the event of having had a dry spell of weather may be your underground plumbing signaling distress. The water and waste that you may have in your soil may be caused by your clogged sewer line or any other broken drainage lines.
3. Backed-Up Drains and the Importance of Immediate Action
The clogged drain is one thing, but the issue is that there should be several slow or blocked drains; it is a sign of an underlying issue. It is not unusual for your entire system to become blocked or damaged by your underground plumbing.
That is where sewer cleaning comes in. A professional plumber will be able to remove those nasty blockages and examine your pipes using special cameras to see what’s going on underground. A total system failure is not an appropriate time to act.
What’s Really Going On Beneath the Surface?
What, then, is the problem leading to underground plumbing problems? More than you would imagine. Pipes in older houses are typically made from materials such as clay or cast iron, and therefore, they wear out over time. Not even recent construction materials, such as PVC, will be spared by the movement of the ground or root penetration of trees or heavy industrial equipment.
Pipes are abraded by ground movement, changes of temperature and corrosion. There are also cases when the installation itself is not sufficient, the pipes are not straight enough, and the joints are not properly sealed. Each of them may cause cracks or leakages in your underground plumbing or complete collapses.
Want to dig a little deeper into the common underground pipe materials and their weaknesses? Check out this helpful EPA guide on aging infrastructure and water systems.
The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Underground Plumbing Problems
The delay in rectifying the problem with underground plumbing can have serious consequences compared to the mere inconvenience. It may impact your health, your home, and your finances.
1. Water Damage, Mold Growth, and Repair Expenses
Undetected leaks may wet the insulation, destroy floors and decay structural lumber in your house. Standing water, or something vice versa? It is the ideal place where mould can grow – and it does not only look unpleasant to the eye, but it is also dangerous to one’s health.
Mold can develop and be rather expensive and disruptive to eliminate. And in case the problem is caused by underground piping, you will be required to dig your yard to reach the core of the problem, which will increase the cost.
2. Impact on Property Value and Home Insurance Claims
Before offering to buy a home, most buyers will inspect the house. Problems with the underground plumbing may cause denial of the inspection and sale, as well as price changes.
Moreover, it turns out that not every homeowners’ insurer covers the loss caused by a broken plumbing system within the territory of their property. In case you have disregarded the evidence of distress, your claim might not be accepted. This is a significant risk, considering the repair cost can be in the thousands.
3. How Proactive Care Helps You Save with Clean Drains
Routine maintenance is one of the easiest measures to ensure that a full-blown plumbing disaster does not occur. Frequent drain cleaning and pipe cleaning will reduce blockages in your underground plumbing system, ensuring that minor problems are identified early and extending the lifespan of your plumbing system.
Get to know how you can Save with Clean Drains by incorporating easy maintenance in your household.
Why You Should Call a Plumbing Expert for Underground Problems
It is okay to repair a leaking faucet or a clogged toilet, but underground plumbing is another story; have a professional do that instead. Custom machinery, such as pipe locating devices, hydro jetters, and trenchless repair tools, is critical in performing the work quickly and with minimal disturbance.
An experienced plumber will also be able to assess the state of your underground plumbing system and provide advice accordingly when carrying out maintenance. Most importantly, they can detect early warning signs that you may not notice, saving thousands of dollars in future repairs.
Final Thoughts
Underground plumbing is probably the most important aspect of your home and the one that you pay the least attention to. High repair costs, health implications, and reduced property value are frequent repercussions of mishaps that result in damage far more extensive than what the eye can see.
However this does not need to be the case. With a bit of knowledge, a bit of active care, and the assistance of an expert, you can identify the problem before it becomes severe and have your underground plumbing in the best working order in the years to come.
Tired of making guesses and ready to defend your house on a foundation level? Engage us at Rooterman-SC to conduct thorough underground plumbing inspections and provide lasting underground plumbing solutions. You and your home (not to mention your future selves) will be glad.
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