What would you do if your drains collapsed? It may not be something you think about, after all, you can probably think of a million things that are far more important right now. However if your drain does collapse like this, it could spell disaster if you don’t act quickly enough and call ius
What clues should you be looking out for?
Well, if you notice the smell of sewage matched by a blockage in the drains then there’s a good chance they’ve collapsed. However, the smell of sewage could also be a sign that your drains are blocked, once you have them cleared this should sort the problem out. However, if you still notice a smell after you’ve had them unblocked, then quite possibly they really have collapsed.
Consult a drainage expert and get your collapsed drain fixed.
If you think this is what’s happened, then it’s high time you consulted with an expert. A drainage engineer/specialist will be able to ascertain what needs to be done next by carrying out some research. It could be that a CCTV survey of your drains is one of the investigative tools he/she might use, and it will be extremely useful in certain cases, to see right down into the drains beneath.
What other signs are there that you should be looking out for?
Well, to start with we’re looking at damp or mould on either the walls, floors or both. This is wastewater that has nowhere to go but back into your property. As you can imagine this is not good for your health and can cause significant damage to your house, by attacking the foundation of your walls, causing cracks to appear.
Rodents
Another problem caused by collapsed drains, and this is one you definitely won’t like, is rodents. Yes, infestations of rodents, rats in other words, is one other problem you could be looking at. They will love living in your drains and sewer system, and a crack in the pipework? Well, that’s an open invitation to investigate your home and a collapsed drain is the perfect way to enter.
Sunken ground in the garden.
The ground will start to sink due to a blocked drain, and if you do see evidence of this, again, you need to call in the experts. You may also see wet ground, patches of water in the soil or grass outside, another sign that your drains have collapsed.
