A broken pipe in the sewer line is one of the biggest challenges homeowners face. A broken sewage pipe can cause a host of problems including property damage and serious health complications.

The main sewage line connects all pipes and drains and is an important part of your plumbing system. When a sewage system fails, it can result in minor inconveniences, major crises, and expensive repairs.

Identifying the signs of a damaged sewer pipe early can help homeowners act quickly to minimise both repair costs and the risk of health issues.

In this blog, we will cover how to repair a damaged sewer pipe, including the signs to look out for and its impact on household plumbing systems.

Unmistakable Signs of Sewage Trouble

When you know what to look for, identifying issues with your sewage drains becomes much simpler.

Common indicators of sewage issues are foul odours, unusual noises, lush patches of grass in the lawn, and slow drains. In some cases, it can even present itself as mould development.

Mould thrives in moist environments. If you have sewerage line cracks, the water flowing from your sewer line may be coming into contact with neighbouring surfaces and objects. Mould can grow on these surfaces, so if you see mould on your ceilings or walls you may have damaged sewer pipes.

Foul Odors from Drains

Healthy sewage systems contain all unpleasant odours within the pipes. One of the most immediate and noticeable signs of a damaged sewage pipe is the smell of foul odours coming from your drains. This odour can be caused by sewage gas escaping from broken pipes.

The unpleasant smell can also arise from blockage in the pipes that trap sewage and cause it to back up or even dried-up P-traps. A P-trap refers to the U-shaped bend under sinks and drains that trap sewer gasses.

In addition to making your home environment unpleasant, these gasses can contain harmful bacteria and viruses that also pose health risks.

Unusual Sounds from Plumbing

Listen closely to the sounds coming from your drains. Another unmistakable symptom of sewage trouble is unusual sounds coming from your plumbing system. If you hear gurgling noises when using sinks, toilets, or showers, it often points to trapped air in the sewage system.

This trapped air is often a result of a blockage within the sewage system or damage to the pipes themselves. The gurgling sound occurs when air bubbles are forced through the water in the pipes.

Changes in Lawn Appearance

Sometimes, the signs of sewage pipe damage are visible outside your home and the condition of your lawn can offer clues about damaged sewage pipes. Lush grass, indentations, or sunken areas in the grass might indicate an underground leak.

It may mean your sewage system is leaking if one area in your yard appears greener than the others.

Unusually lush green patches can be a sign of sewage seeping into the soil as the grass near a leaking septic tank can become lush due to septic waste acting as a fertiliser for plants and providing excess nutrients for the grass.

Conversely, sewage leaks can saturate the soil, cause the soil to erode, and create depressions in your lawn.

Visible Sewage Backup

Visible sewage backup in an area of your home is the most severe and apparent sign of a damaged sewage pipe.

If this happens, you may experience difficulty flushing the toilet and notice sewage coming up through drains or on the floor. This signifies a major blockage or break in the sewage system, and means your pipes are already clogged and water is flowing back through them.

Sewage backup not only causes significant property damage but also poses a serious health risk due to the harmful pathogens present in sewage.

This situation requires an immediate inspection from a professional plumber to prevent further property damage and health risks.

Impact on Household Plumbing Systems

Damaged sewage pipes can affect your entire household plumbing system. These issues can compromise water quality and pressure, and lead to larger issues beyond the sewage system.

Water Quality Concerns

Cracked or broken sewage pipes can compromise your clean water supply and lead to contamination. Cracks or breaks in the pipes may allow sewage to leak into the clean water lines. This contamination can pose serious health risks, including gastrointestinal illnesses and infections.

If you notice changes in water clarity, unusual discolouration, taste, or odour, you must have your plumbing system inspected immediately.

Changes in Water Pressure

Damage to your sewage system can also affect your water pressure. Fluctuating or consistently low water pressure throughout your home can be a sign that sewage leaks are interfering with the water flow within the pipes.

Damaged pipes can cause blockages that restrict water flow and result in varying water pressure levels in different fixtures. Low water pressure is particularly noticeable when using multiple fixtures simultaneously.

This inconvenience is a significant issue that requires immediate attention as it can affect everyday activities such as showering, washing dishes, or doing laundry.

Professional Inspection and Diagnosis

Given the potential severity of damaged sewage pipes, you should always hire a qualified professional to repair a damaged sewer pipe.

Trained plumbing experts can identify the source of the problem and recommend appropriate solutions. They have the tools to undergo thorough inspections and can even use video cameras to locate hidden leaks or blockages inside the pipes.

Instead of trying to do it yourself, call in a professional to inspect your sewage pipes and give you a diagnosis.

Good Hands Plumbing: Your Trusted Plumbing Experts

Early detection and timely repair of damaged sewage pipes are imperative to preventing major disruptions before they happen. Ignoring these signs can lead to sewage backups, structural damage, costly repairs, and potential health hazards.

At Good Hands Plumbing, we understand the importance of a healthy sewage system and the negative effects of a bad one. Our highly skilled plumbers, technicians and leak detection specialists are equipped to handle all your sewage pipe concerns. We use the best equipment and procedures to handle everything from routine inspections and maintenance to emergency repairs.

If you suspect any of the signs mentioned above, please contact us to schedule a consultation and get professional help from qualified plumbers.