The Tell Tale Signs that you have a sewer leak 

We all know that water leaking in any form can be devastating to a home or other property.

Water leaks can cause devastating damage that can be costly to homeowners and business owners alike. 

But what if you don’t know that you have a water leak?

Your monthly water bill is a great indicator that you may have not just a leak but a sewer leak.

If you get a water bill that seems abnormally high in the hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars, that is a clear indication that something is wrong and you may have a leak.

A sewer leak is bad enough and you might not even know you have it , however worse than that is a burst sewer pipe, these are messy to clean up and to repair.

If you notice that your water bill has increased significantly don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber.

Leaving any water leak unattended can add to the mess and the cost.

There are several ways besides your water bill to find a sewer leak.

These are the most common 14 ways to discover a sewer leak. Never hesitate to contact a professional if you suspect a leak.

Leaving any leak is dangerous and costly.

The 14 most common ways you could have leaky sewer pipes

1. Uncommon Sounds

Water continuously running is a signal that there is trouble in the pipes. Make sure all your faucets are completely turned off and the toilet itself has stopped filling up. If you still hear constant water running in the walls or the floor through your plumbing system this could indicate a possible sewer leak.

1. Moist Floor

When you walk onto your wood floor or carpet and notice a moist or wet spot for no reason, nothing was spilled this is suggestive of a possible sewer leak. Plumbing lines run through your home with a series of connections and lines. Water will tend to pool around the connections, damaging and causing buckling in wood floors and ruining carpet. 

1. Unpleasant Odors

If you smell a mold or mildew type smell this may be caused by mold that is thriving in a damp or wet spot behind walls. Leaking sewer lines and burst pipes create the ideal place for mold and mildew to grow. This is dangerous to your health and can be very costly to fix. The problem is you might not notice until it’s too late. This smell might even be noticeable outside where leaky wastewater is leaking into the yard.

1. Cracks in the foundation

The ground under your home can move when the ground becomes saturated with water and shifts. This causes cracks in the foundation, usually from a slow dripping sewer leak that has been happening for some time. Sewer leaks also cause driveways to crack and buckle up sidewalks, separating one block from another for what seems like no apparent reason.

1. Landscape Growing

If you have a landscaped garden or lawn and notice it is all of the sudden growing at an abnormal rate this could indicate a sewer line leak. You may have significant growth in patchy areas but too much water or any wastewater can cause unhealthy bacteria and ruin your garden or lawn.

1. Rodent Problems

If you all of the sudden have a rodent problem that you didn’t have before is a clear sign that you may have a sewer leak. Rodents are attracted to the smell of leaking sewer water. Usually the rodents will arrive before you know you have a sewer leak.

1. High water Bill

This is usually the first indicator as mentioned above. Normally the water bill will change slightly depending on the season but a spike is the first sign that something is wrong.

1. Water Meter Keeps Running

When you are not running any appliances or all water sources are off the water meter should read zero. If the meter is going when everything is off then you may have a sewer leak.

1. Water Pooling Outside

Normally puddles form after weather like rain. But if you notice puddles appearing when there is no rain you may have a hidden sewer leak. Also your drain system could be the issue. Water puddles when it has nowhere to go. If you notice that areas in your yard appear to have shifted or collapsed.

1. Discoloration on walls

Sometimes you might not find sewer leaks for a long time. If the leak is behind a wall you may notice dark rings, wet spots, mold spots on walls. Peeling or bubbling paint or uneven or peeling wallpaper are also signs of a hidden sewer leak in the wall.

1. Water Pressure Drop off

Sometimes you may get a day where your shower water pressure is low. This is common sometimes and due to the water supply. However if it’s low in every tap or shower that could be an indication of a leak.

1. Your Pipes Look Old

A simple inspection of your pipes by you inside , under the sink , or by a professional for outside pipe lines (you should do this once a year) can determine that your pipes need to be replaced. Old and rusty pipes or condensation on the pipes can be a sign of a potential problem. 

1. Slow drainage 

Hair in shower drains and food in sink drains are common causes of slow or blocked drains. If your drains are blocked to the point of almost backing up you may have bigger plumbing issues.

1. Water color changes

All your water should run clear but if you notice the color change in your water and it turns any other color than clear, like brown or yellow you might have a leak. Colored water doesn’t always mean a leak, but it could be a sign of a rusty pipe.

Contact Us today

If you suspect you have a sewer leak or see a burst pipe contact Streamline Plumbing as soon as possible.

Our licensed plumbing professionals can come to your home or business and assess the issue as soon as possible.

Streamline Plumbing has expertise in sewer systems, drain line replacement, drain cleaning, burst pipe , and underground sewer repair.

Streamline plumbing has been serving Orange County for over 25 years and are experts in large-scale commercial excavation and sewer replacement

Streamline Plumbing also serves all residential clients in Orange County. We know how important your home is to you. We offer all home plumbing needs and guarantee oy=ur  work to your satisfaction. We offer estimates before we do any job so you’ll know exactly what any plumbing job will cost.

Call Streamline Plumbing for all your plumbing needs.