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It’s common for homeowners to completely forget that there are underground pipes in their yard which are responsible for supplying water to your home, as it’s far easier to focus on the indoor plumbing that we use every day. However, if a failure or leak occurs in your underground lines, it will have a tremendous impact on your entire home’s plumbing system. That’s why we recommend you have our plumbers periodically check your underground piping to stop any problems before they become more severe.

Common Causes Of Underground Pipe Issues

Unless your home is fairly new, then it’s likely your underground plumbing system was installed many decades ago. There are a wide range of factors that can negatively impact your underground pipes, especially if they are very old and have never been examined or maintained. The following are some of the most common issues we encounter with underground pipes.

Underground Water Leaks

Water leaks will occur in your underground pipes if there is a crack in the pipes or in any connectors. The water slowly leaks into the surrounding soil, eroding it over time. Also, if the leak is severe enough, you may notice wet spots or puddles forming in certain locations around your yard even when it hasn’t rained in a while. In addition, a leak in your underground pipes may negatively impact your water pressure.

Tree Root Damage

Over long periods of time tree roots can become extremely disruptive to your underground plumbing system. Tree roots naturally seek out sources of water and may continually grow towards your pipes. After many years, they can actually crush your pipes or cause severe damage to them. They may also cause blockages so the water supply to your home will be extremely diminished. If you have trees around your yard, then it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber examine your underground pipes for signs of root damage.

Poor Soil Conditions

Certain soil conditions can also have a negative impact on underground plumbing. For example, poor soil conditions may cause the interior of your pipes to corrode, weakening their integrity which in turn leads to cracks, leaks and possible contamination. The most damaging type of soil to underground pipes is known as clay soil. It can rapidly break down your pipes over time.

Symptoms Of Underground Pipe Problems

Although it can be easy to ignore symptoms issues with your underground pipes, the sooner you identify a problem and get it resolved, the less work will be required. These are some of the most common early warning signs that your underground pipes may be compromised.

Regular backups or blockages: If you regularly experience slow drainage or blockages with multiple drains in your home, then the problem may not be with your indoor plumbing, but instead with your underground sewage system. A video inspection can identify any problems with your underground plumbing.

Strange odors: One of the most common signs that your underground pipes are in peril is a smell of sewage coming from your drains. A proper sewage system should not leak any smells into your home. However, if you start to smell sewage coming from your floor drains, then chances are the problem is with your underground pipes.

Grass that is greener than the rest of your lawn: Lush, green grass is always desirable. However, if only one patch of your lawn is greener than the rest of it consistently, then this could be a symptom of a larger problem. If your sewage system is leaking into your yard, then it acts as a natural fertilizer for your grass. This in turn may cause the grass to grow stronger and greener in areas where the sewage is leaking.

These problems with your underground plumbing will only grow worse over time. In fact, it can lead to a complete breakdown of an underground pipe, which in turn leads to lack of water pressure in your home or no water at all. That’s why it’s important to have your plumbing inspected regularly to prevent future issues. Contact the experts at Hire Me Plumbing for a state-of-the-art video inspection of your underground plumbing.