There are many important aspects of home maintenance, with one of these being regularly evaluating the drainage pipes in your home. These pipes are critical to being able to do many different things in a home, including cooking, cleaning, hygiene, and much more.
If the drainage pipes start to fail, it will quickly become difficult or impossible to do any of this. This is why it is so important to check on the status of drainage pipes regularly.
Not only will this help catch any pipes that are failing, but it can also discover and remedy smaller issues before they become more significant. If you are worried your drainage pipe may be broken or failing, continue reading to find out the signs to look for.
Symptoms of a Failing Drainage Pipe
Backups and Blockages
If the water continues to backup every time the toilet is flushed, or in the sink or shower, then there is definitely an issue in the drainage pipes.
There may just be a significant clog deep down in the pipe that needs to be freed up, but it could also signal worse issues.
If any attempts to clear the line have continued to fail, then it is time to call the plumber and schedule an inspection.
Pungent Odor
Typically, drainage pipes will be sealed airtight, other than at the vent stacks, and there will be no unpleasant odor coming from them.
If you start to notice unpleasant sewer odors in the home or around the property, this is a good sign that there is a crack or clog in one of the pipes somewhere.
Slow Drainage
Slow drainage can be a common issue to arise in a home, but it is worrisome when it cannot be resolved through usual methods to clear the line.
If this is the case, it is time to call a plumber, as they will either be able to clear the stubborn clog or determine if a drainage pipe needs to be replaced.
Lawn Spots
If there are leaks in a drainage pipe, it can lead to excess water and sewage leaking into the yard and grass. This can show up as raised patches of ground, or damp and soggy spots in the yard.
It could also cause the grass and plants in a certain area to thrive more than usual because they are receiving more nutrients from the leaking sewage. If these types of spots are noticed in the yard, a plumber should be contacted immediately.
While all of these signs do not guarantee that replacement will be necessary, they are all warning signs that should not be neglected. It is much better to call a plumber to inspect the situation before it gets any worse. The plumber will be able to determine whether the issue can be repaired or if the pipe will need to be replaced.
Other Reasons for Drainage Pipe Replacement
There are times where it may be a good idea to replace drainage pipes, even if they are not necessarily failing. A good example of this is an much older homes where the pipes have seen a lot of use or if they are made of a material that is not used anymore.
There are several drainage pipe types that have been used in homes over the years, and some of these have been found to be less adequate over time. Instead of waiting for these materials to fail, it may be better to have them replaced with PVC plastic drainage pipe, which has been the residential standard for several decades now.
Pilgrim Plumbing and Heating is Here to Help
If you are worried your drainage pipes may be failing, then let us here at Pilgrim Plumbing and Heating help. We will be able to inspect the current drainage pipes, pinpoint where the issue is, and recommend whether repairing or replacing will be the better option. If you have any questions about our services, give us a call at 781-253-2055 or fill out the form on our website.