Locating a Sewer Leak in Your Home or Yard

Locating a Sewer Leak in Your Home or Yard

Plumbing leaks are tricky — not only can they lead to immense damage to your property, making it crucial to detect the source as soon as possible, but they are also notoriously challenging to diagnose correctly.

Many people assume that the leak is situated within the water pipes, and only discover that they had a sewage leak after carrying out costly repairs. How do you know whether you have a sewage leak in your home or yard, and how can you locate it?

Signs That You Might Have a Sewer Leak on Your Property

You might suspect that you have a sewage leak in your home or yard if:

• You can constantly hear moving water, even if all appliances that use water are turned off, and nobody is using any fixtures. The sound of flowing water would continue even if you shut your water supply off.
• You notice water in places where it shouldn’t be — perhaps in the form of puddles, and perhaps in the form of barely-noticeable moist areas. Given the fact that sewer lines run through your property, including in places you might never have considered, as well as in your yard, these wet spots could be almost anywhere.
• You smell sewage. It is important to note that any water leak can lead to unpleasant odors, as the water builds up and accumulates harmful microorganisms, and insect pests and mold are attracted to the area. Sewage does, however, have a characteristic smell.
• You notice cracks in your foundational walls, something that happens if the leak remains active sufficiently long.
• Your water bills are unusually high and the water meter indicates that flow continues even after you have shut your supply off.

How Do You Locate the Exact Site of Your Sewer Leak?

Water can, but does not necessarily, pool around the site of the leak. It can also travel some distance before settling somewhere else. The internet has unquestionably revolutionized our approach to DIY — and with online guides and videos, many people feel empowered to tackle more complex projects even without previous experience or knowledge.

You would not be the first person to take it upon themselves to simply start digging until you find the sewer leak in your home or yard. Note, though, that you can cause much more damage than the leak already has by doing this.

To locate the site of your sewer leak safely, and to minimize your repair bills, the best course of action would be to call a reputable leak detection company. Leak detection professionals can locate the leak in the most non-invasive way possible, and very quickly, too.

Don’t risk burdening yourself with additional problems by trying to locate the sewer leak yourself, and rely on a team of trained professionals instead. This is the fastest way to locate the leak, after which you can begin working on a fix.