5 Signs Your Drains Have Collapsed

Collapsed drains are a serious problem that must be rectified as quickly as possible. There are 5 signs your drains have collapsed:

• Your home smells of sewage
• Your drains are running slowly
• There is damp around your home
• The building is damaged
• The ground in your garden is sinking

If you notice any of the above signs, you need to have them seen to as quickly as possible so that you can avoid further damage to your property and drainage system. Let’s take a closer look at the signs your drains have collapsed so that you know what to look out for.

Your Home Smells of Sewage

Having a home that smells of sewage is never a good thing and can cause significant hygiene risks to your home and family. If you begin to notice the smell of sewage inside or outside of your home, you likely have a drain that has collapsed and is leaking wastewater into the foundation of your property. If you notice a foul smell, call a professional plumber straight away and have them diagnose the issue so that a drainage company can provide a drain replacement or repair.

Your Drains are Running Slowly

Slow-running drains are always a concern as they can mean there is a blockage in the pipe. If there is a blockage and the debris builds up in your drainage system over time, it can eventually break the pipes. Slow-running drains are a very common sign that you’re suffering from a collapsed drain.

If you’re unsure whether your drains are running slowly because of a blockage or a collapsed pipe, it is worth following our advice on how to unblock a drain first to rule out all other possibilities. If unblocking the drain does not solve the problem, it is time to call in the professionals, as you’re dealing with a collapsed drain, and it’s something that only a professional can fix.

There is Damp in Your Home

Damp in the home has many negative effects on your health and also affects the structural integrity of your home. Damp is a common sign that wastewater is failing to leave your property, so it’s integral that the problem is fixed as quickly as possible.

If you begin to notice damp creeping in around your home, in wet spots on the walls, around the windows, or near your pipes, you’re likely dealing with a collapsed drain. Again, this is a job for the professionals, so always get in touch with a drainage expert so that they can fix the problem for you.

The Building is Damaged

The effects of a collapsed drain are well known for causing excessive damage to the structure of your home. If you’ve not noticed cracking on the walls of your home or around the foundations, you are likely suffering from a collapsed drain. The constant leaking of water from a collapsed drain can significantly affect the structural integrity of your home, causing the foundations and walls to weaken.

Unfortunately, if you only take action once the signs of structural damage are made apparent, likely, the building itself will also need significant repair. Unfortunately, this can be a very expensive problem to fix. Therefore, it is extremely important to call a professional as soon as you begin to notice signs of a collapsed drain.

The Ground in Your Garden is Sinking

As your collapsed drains worsen, the signs and symptoms will begin to make themselves increasingly clear. One of the most apparent signs is that of sinking ground in your garden. Otherwise called subsidence, sinking ground is caused by water leaking from the pipes into the ground and softening the soil, eventually causing the pipe to collapse.

If you start noticing collapsing or softening ground in your garden, it is time to call in the professionals so that they can have the problem fixed for you.

When to Contact a Professional

If you’ve noticed signs like bad smells, frequent blockages, or slow-draining water, it’s best not to ignore them. A collapsed drain can cause serious damage if left untreated, but our emergency repair team is here to help. With fast response times and expert solutions, we’ll get your drainage system back to normal with minimal disruption.