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Home ownership is a lot pricier than you think. On top of all of the property taxes, insurance and mortgage that you have to pay, you also need to pay for repairs to your home. In particular, you’ll need to spend quite a lot of money on plumbing repairs if you don’t know what to look for. In fact, approximately 88% of homeowners are forced to make some type of major repair every year, and they spend around $5000.

When it comes to plumbing, there are many reasons for why a homeowner may need to repair their plumbing. One of the most common reasons for plumbing repairs is a collapsed pipe. But, what exactly is a collapsed pipe? What does it look like? Why does it happen and what can you do about it? This article will look at everything that you need to know before you call a plumber in Rhome, TX.

4 Signs of a Collapsed Pipe

First in foremost, you need to figure out what to look for and whether a collapsed pipe could be the cause of the issue. Signs of a collapsed pipe usually emerge before any major plumbing repairs are needed by a plumber. With that said, you definitely want to call a professional to come take a look immediately, so they can fix the problem as soon as possible. With a collapsed pipe, there are so many potential problems that could emerge.

For one, you’re also spending a significant more on your water bill, as most of the water is likely seeping out and getting everywhere. Depending on where the water is going, you could end up with a hefty bill for home repairs in the future.

Without further ado, here are some signs that you should look for. If you have any questions or concerns, contact a plumber right away. Don’t wait. This is not one of those plumbing situations where you want to sit on the problem for a couple of days and hope that things get better because it won’t.

#1. Frequent Backups

The most common sign that you have a collapsed pipe is if you are frequently experiencing backups. This is most noticeable with the toilet. When your toilet backs up, there’s a good chance that it will overflow and your entire bathroom will get soaked and wastewater. If this has happened more than once, there’s a really good chance that a collapsed pipe is to blame.

Interestingly enough, if the frequent backups happen more often in the lower regions of your home, like the basement, then you really need to get the situation looked at quickly by a professional. There’s a really good chance that the backup is caused by a collapsed pipe and not by an obstacle lodged in the drains.

#2. There’s Something Weird Going on With Your Lawn

Are you an avid gardener? Or, do you spend a lot of time in your yard? If so, one of the first signs that you have a collapsed pipe is if there’s something weird going on with your line. For example, you may notice that it is constantly soaked even when it is very dry out. You will usually notice that the lawn above a collapsed pipe will be soaked with water. Or, there may be a lot of puddles in that area.

The good news is that the plumber will only need to dig down to find the collapsed pipe. Due to this reason, they will not have to go on a fishing expedition.

Another sign that there’s something wrong with your line is if your grass is growing like crazy even though you haven’t fertilized it or watered it. In fact, your lawn might look amazing. This is often a common side effect of having a collapsed pipe outdoors. The water that is seeping out of the pipes or saturating the lawn and watering the grass. If you’ve noticed you’re constantly mowing the lawn, the solution may actually be to call a plumber.

#3. Weird Sounds, Bubbles or Odors

The plumbing in your home is likely not installed in a way that’s very straightforward. There are so many connections, bands and turns that it will make your head spin. If there’s a collapsed pipe somewhere, it can really impact your drains in very weird ways. You might not even realize that you need to call a professional.

For example, in some situations, you may not notice any water leaks at all. However, you may notice that your plumbing is starting to make some really weird and strange sounds that make your home seem kind of haunted. That’s likely because air is rushing back to the surface from the plumbing.

Depending on which part of the plumbing has collapsed, you might also start to smell some nasty orders. This usually means that the sewer line is affected and there is some sewage backing up into your home. Wastewater is absolutely gross and teeming with bacteria and other harmful pollutants and pathogens that could easily spread disease or cause health problems.

4 Reasons for Pipe Collapse

So, why did your pipe collapse? How does it happen and what factors are involved? Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes below.

#1. Age

That’s right. Age is more often than not one of the top contributors of pipe collapse. Homeowners who have moved into older homes may notice a pipe collapse before someone who has moved into a new home. The lifespan of your pipes will depend on the type of plumbing material that has been used, as well as the craftsmanship, quality of the joints and more. It can also depend on the environment. Some environments will cause the plumbing to age even faster than usual.

If you’ve moved into an older home, you may want to get a plumber to come and do an inspection. The plumber will be able to tell you whether there are any issues that need to be addressed and whether there are any weaknesses in your plumbing. In worst case scenarios, you might want to consider repiping your whole home. If you do, you can rest assured that your plumbing will be in tiptop condition. Repiping your entire home can also improve the resale value of your home significantly if you are to put it on the market later on.

#2. Clogs

This is why it’s important to call a professional for drain cleaning services regularly. Clogs are responsible for most sewer backups, which can then lead to pipe collapse. Most clogs can be traced back to three things: fats, oil and grease. Many homeowners are quick to toss everything down the drain without even thinking about what it is. This can cause significant problems to the plumbing, and can cause you to need to call a plumber in Rhome, TX more frequently.

Fat, oil and grease can easily get stuck onto the side of the plumbing. These things will become blockages that are big enough to crack pipes and trap water within the plumbing. As the residue builds up, the pipes will have to shoulder more weight. Eventually, the pipes will collapse under that weight. This is actually one of the most common causes for pipe collapse seen by plumbers in Rhome, TX. Those who regularly get drain cleaning services will usually be able to avoid this issue. In comparison to the amount and type of damage that can be done by a collapsed pipe, the cost of drain cleaning is relatively small. It’s definitely one of the more important plumbing maintenance services that you should get on a regular basis.

If you notice that your dreams are getting clogged regularly, you might want to consider calling a plumber to do a video inspection or a drain cleaning service. You should also be more mindful of what you toss down the drain. Make sure that you remove all of the oils on your plate before rinsing it underneath the sink. Do not toss any oils or fat down the toilet either, as it can cause a significant amount of damage to your sewer line.

#3. Limescale Buildup

Depending on the region where you live, you might have a lot of hard water going through your plumbing. Hard water contains a lot of minerals that can easily accumulate onto the side of the plumbing. They essentially harden over the pipes and start to degrade the surface. This will contribute significantly to pipe degradation. As mentioned above, these issues can be avoided if you call a plumber for drain cleaning services regularly.

#4. Plant or Tree Root Intrusion

Last but not least, pipe collapsed can also be caused by plant or tree root intrusion. Plants and trees that are near a water line will want to grow towards the plumbing because of the amount of water that goes through it.

Although the roots may not seem very strong at first, they will slowly but surely penetrate into the plumbing. In some situations, the roots will be able to penetrate so deep into the plumbing that they will cause it to crack and collapse. Once this happens, the roots will continue to travel down the plumbing.

If you do not catch this issue quickly, the roots may travel down the entire length of the plumbing and become a major clog. You may need to re-pipe that entire section of plumbing to solve the problem.

What to Do Next

If you’re pretty sure that you’re dealing with a collapsed pipe, your next step is to call a plumber in Rhome, TX to inspect the problem. The plumber will likely do a quick video inspection to make sure that your suspicions are correct. They will also use this opportunity to determine whether only one section of the plumbing is collapsed or whether there are multiple sections that need to be addressed.

Next, they will go through the different possible solutions with you. This usually will include considering the possibility of re-piping certain sections of the plumbing.

In most cases, you will not be able to patch up a collapsed pipe. First of all, it’s damaged beyond repair. Even if you do try to patch up the plumbing, it will not be structurally sound. This means that it will be susceptible to many more damages down the road. If the rest of your plumbing seems a bit weak, your plumber may also recommend that you repipe those sections as well. This way, you can avoid having to call them for the same problem at a later time.

Naturally, you need to wait out the pros and cons of each option with your plumber. Your plumber should also take into account your needs and your budget. The key is to find a plumber who is able to offer high quality craftsmanship at affordable prices. This will ensure that your plumbing will last for a really long time. Many professionals offer promotions, coupons and deals throughout the entire year. Some even offer financing options for those who need it.

Give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth a Call!

Are you facing a plumbing problem at this current moment? Do you suspect that there is a collapsed pipe somewhere on your property?

The important thing for you to do is to act quickly. This means that you should call a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. We are a reputable plumbing company that services many areas in Texas, including Rhome, TX. We have successfully tackled many plumbing problems for residents in this area and have a great reputation. You can check out our reviews on our site or on our Google page.

Our licensed plumbers have many years of experience under their belts, which means that they can come up with many viable solutions for you based on your situation. We will work with you to find a good way to solve whatever plumbing emergency you may be dealing with.