The hassle of a blocked drain can be bad enough; however, if you notice issues far worse than slowly draining water, you may be dealing with a collapsed drain.
As collapsed drains only occur from severe structural problems or shifting ground, both instances mean you are contending with a major issue that could potentially put your health at risk. To help you assess the risk, let’s look at five signs that may indicate a collapsed drain.
1. Sewage smell
Most people are lucky enough not to be exposed to this. When pipes are sealed and drained properly, sewage should never be smelt; however, collapsed drains mean sewage is liable to seep out into the ground, giving off a foul odour outside your home.
It is worth noting that most of these problems can be identified using a CCTV drain survey, which is a process whereby a camera is inserted into the pipes to locate blockages or damages. You can find services for a CCTV drain survey Northampton online from companies such as Wilkinson Environmental.
2. Persistent damp or mould
If water is stagnating due to a collapsed drain, it can not only seep into the ground and cause an unpleasant smell but also breach your home’s foundations, gradually climbing until it manifests as mold.
3. Rodents
Rats travelling through pipes isn’t an urban myth, with collapsed drains providing possibly the most accessible route into your home other than leaving the front door open. A rat problem can be a massive health risk.
4. Slow draining
We have already mentioned that slowly draining water typically indicates a blocked drain, but what we didn’t mention is that collapsed drains can contribute to these blockages. If other methods of unblocking have failed, you are likely to require professional services.
5. Toilets backing up
When you flush a toilet, a surge of wastewater carries everything in the system away. In the event of a collapsed drain, the water may take longer to return to its normal level, which can also happen with sinks.