How to Tell if You Have a Cracked Drainage Pipe?

Whether you’re taking a shower, flushing the toilet, washing dishes or doing laundry, your drainage system is constantly at work. If your drainage pipes have sustained any cracks or damage, this can bring your home to a grinding halt; therefore, it’s essential that you are able to identify the signs of a cracked pipe.

But how can you tell if you have a cracked drainage pipe? And how can you prevent a cracked pipe from occurring in the first place? The experts at 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services are here to help with this handy guide.

Why do pipes crack?

While your drainage system is built to be durable, sometimes damage can occur due to various factors, such as:

Cold weather: As soon as the temperature dips below zero, the water in your pipes can freeze. This ice then expands and can cause cracks and damage to your pipes.

Ageing: It’s only natural that your drainage system will experience wear and tear over time given that it’s in such regular use. 

Blockages: Clogged drains can prevent water from flowing through your drainage system, which results in water pressure building up. This increased water pressure can then cause pipes to leak and rupture.

Tree roots: Although uncommon, tree roots that grow near your drainage system can sometimes encroach on your plumbing and wrap around the pipes to cause damage.

Lack of maintenance: If you don’t invest in regular drain maintenance, minor issues are likely to go undetected and can grow to become more significant as a consequence. 

Common signs of a cracked pipe

As most pipes are located out of sight, it can be difficult to spot physical signs of damage. Obviously, the clearest warning sign of a cracked pipe is if your property springs a leak, however, there are several other indicators that you should keep an eye out for, including:

Increased water bills: If your water bill spikes dramatically without any increased usage, this is usually indicative of a cracked pipe that is allowing large quantities of water to escape unnoticed.

Damp: Cracked pipes inevitably result in water leakage. With nowhere else to go, this water will begin to seep out and permeate the surrounding surfaces, causing damp patches.

Blocked drains: A cracked pipe can impede smooth water flow, resulting in your drains becoming clogged.

Foul smells: An unpleasant stench is never a good sign and cracks in your drainage pipes can cause foul-smelling wastewater to seep out somewhere in your system.

How to tell if you have a cracked drainage pipe

If you think you might have a cracked pipe, it’s important to get an expert to confirm your suspicions. Here at 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services, we provide CCTV drainage surveys which can identify any cracks in your pipework using a state-of-the-art, waterproof camera. Depending on the size of your pipes, these cameras will either be remote-operated or manually guided using a flexible rod. One of our drainage technicians will expertly navigate your pipework, assessing the real-time footage to locate any damage.

If your pipework is cracked, our experts can carry out the necessary drain repairs in no time. We offer drain clearing, drain relining and complete drain excavation depending on the severity of the damage.

How to prevent cracked pipes

Of course, it’s better to save yourself the repair bill and stop the damage from occurring in the first place. There are several pre-emptive measures you can take to prevent broken drains, including avoiding corrosive cleaning chemicals, employing proper waste disposal practices and taking the appropriate preventative measures to stop pipes from freezing in the winter. 

However, the single most important way to prevent cracked pipes is to invest in regular drain maintenance. By scheduling periodic inspections, you can identify corrosion, leaks and blockages at an early stage, allowing for timely intervention and ensuring the longevity of your drainage system. Drain maintenance is especially important during the winter months when your pipes are more vulnerable to weather damage.

If you suspect your property has a cracked drainage pipe, why not get in touch with the team at 1st Call Drain Clearance & Technical Services? We offer a full range of drainage services that will restore your drainage system to full function in no time – we can even provide round-the-clock support for any emergency that just can’t wait.

We’ve been operating throughout Central London, Brentford and beyond for more than 25 years – contact our friendly team for more information on our range of services.