What Causes Sewer Pipes To Collapse | Network Know How

 Misalignment

Misalignment of your sewer pipes, either through ground movement or ill fitting installation of your sewer drains.

 Foreign Matter

Foreign matter like root systems either entering your sewer system or constraining your sewer pipes to the point of collapse.

Causes Of A Collapsed Sewer Systems

Our licensed plumbers have pinpointed 5 main causes that may be the culprit of a collapsed sewer pipe. These factors are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Your property could suffer from more than one factor.

Natural movement of the ground

Natural ground movement does occur. Life happens. If your pipes have a poor connection to begin with, just the slightest movement will impact the alignment of your sewer pipes. If the pipes are not connected securely, water can escape and the potential collapse of the sewer pipe is possible.

Ill fitted or misaligned pipes

During the construction phase when the sewer system was installed, if your new pipes at the time where not connected properly or poorly installed, over time wastewater may be able to escape, eventually eroding the soil or ground.

The unsettling of the sub soil structure supporting the pipe often causes misalignment. Over time misaligned pipes will allow wastewater to leak out of the pipe, causing even further erosion of the supporting soil. Without any permanent solution put into place, this misalignment will lead to the pipe collapsing.

There is no time frame around how long this will take to happen, the only certainty is that it will happen.

External Forces

On the rare occasion. External forces can impact your sewer drains. If you are renovating, landscaping or taking on large projects on your property, it is advisable to have a clear understanding of your property's sewer system. This will help avoid potential damage to the existing system, safeguarding yourself, your sewer and stormwater pipelines.

Ages of piping

Older homes carry greater risk. When you purchase an older property, you're also purchasing the plumbing system, of course. What this entails... if there is an existing need for repairs on the sewers like, cast iron pipes suffering from erosion or the eventual breakdown of a terracotta pipe... you'll need to take action.

Age does play a factor. Nothing will last forever. Network Plumbing advises gathering all relevant information, like a CCVT drains inspection to pinpoint any existing issues or potential signs before a collapse occurs.   

Tree roots

A blockage and then the potential collapse of your sewers can be caused by tree roots. Once they enter your system, from even the smallest crack or misalignment, damage will begin. Tree roots will often find their way into the pipe via the rubber ring or concrete joints that are commonly found within the older earthenware pipes.

Although in some cases, these tree roots may only appear to be relatively small inside the pipe, you never know just how big the root system is outside the pipe and what kind of damage they may cause as they continue to grow.

Continual clearing not only creates more water to escape the line... encouraging further misalignment, but the tree root ball on the outside of the pipe also increases in size leading to misalignment, or even worse may cause the pipe to break and collapse. Once this stage is reached the only solution is to dig and replace the effected sewers.

How To Protect Your Sewage System

Information

Knowledge is power. Knowing where your sewer waste system is and where it connects to your sewer main is power. If works or construction are untaken on your property, you'll know the areas to avoid. If you notice a wet patch that lines up with your sewer pipe plan, you'll have a pretty good indication that an issue is at play with your sewers.

As a property owner, do you know what your pipes are made out of and the associated risks? From cast iron, copper, terracotta to pvc. Pipe materials factors in.

Licensed Plumber

Always use a licensed and reputable plumber. Plumbing is a fundamental part of your home. Be selective when you enlist a plumber to perform works on your property. When you deal with a reputable plumbing company like Network Plumbing, you're in safe hands. We value our plumbing works and our clients.

Regular Maintenance Plan

Enlisting a regular maintenance plumbing plan will help you to identify issues before they become major problems. Read more about our Spring Maintenance Plumbing Tips (this can be done at any point in time).

What Is The Solution For A Collapsed Sewer Pipe?

Network Plumbing can assist with your collapsed sewer pipe. Once the sewer pipe has been identified as collapsed, the only solution is to dig and replace the damaged section. Unfortunately, with no structural integrity left in the old pipe, a replacement pipe is needed.

Network Plumbing are ready to help replace your collapsed sewer pipes contact us today.

We're also ready to help with plumbing maintenance in the future to help avoid this occurring further down the line.