How to Tell if Your Drains Have Collapsed

Homeowners take pride in their properties, and rightly so. Having a home to call your own is the dream of many people, and the joyful day you close on your home is second to none. However, being a homeowner comes with increased responsibility, which means keeping your home maintained. This can (and often does) include numerous repairs and upgrades over the years.

One repair that cannot be ignored is taking care of collapsed pipes. These can be caused by a multitude of seemingly innocent things like fast growing grass, hidden mould issues, slow drains, or dampness in the walls or floors. But how exactly can you tell if your drains have collapsed? This post will explain several common signs of collapsed drains that you might not be aware of, as well as what you can do about them:

A Smell That Can’t Be Ignored

If there’s a lingering, sewer-like odour that you can’t otherwise find the source of, chances are it’s from a collapsed drain or pipe. The good news is this is one of the early signs, so if you act fast, you may be able to prevent additional damage.

The smell comes from backups in the drains and/or pipes caused by the collapsed drain failing to function properly. The smell might linger outside the home near the drain cover or make its way into the house. If your drains are regularly cleaned and you’re noticing this nasty odour, you might want to call a plumber to come have a look.

Slower Than Normal Draining

If your drains are suddenly much slower than they used to be, this could be a potential collapsed drain. The symptoms are similar to that of a blockage, so many homeowners miss the signs. Frequently they attempt to have the drains cleared without thinking about the possibility of a collapse, which can cause the drains to perform badly even after a blockage has been cleared.

If you’re noticing a change in your drain’s performance that seems to have happened overnight (or at least quite recently), having your drains surveyed is a good idea. It’s possible you do just have a blockage, but collapsed drains are a more serious problem that you should also be aware of.

Cracks Appearing Around the Home

Cracks and other significant structural damage can occur as a result of collapsed drains that haven’t been attended to for a long time, and unfortunately are a more expensive job than when you find the problem early on. These situations happen when drains run below structural areas, causing cracks and other damage to occur due to the unregulated flow of water.

If you notice cracks or raised areas on pathways or driveways, along the floors or up the walls, it’s important to have your drains/pipes checked before attempting to repair the cracks themselves — if they’re due to collapsed drains they’ll just reappear over time anyway.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the common signs of collapsed drains that many homeowners might not be aware of. Hopefully, you’re not seeing any of these signs, but if you are it’s a good idea to call the professionals to come take a look. A licensed plumber can accurately diagnose a collapsed drain and work with you to create a plan for fixing it properly.