Know the Signs, Causes, and Solutions for a Collapsed Pipe in Markham

Collapsed pipe in Markham sitting in a hole below a residential yard.

A collapsed pipe in Markham can strike at any time, so it's never too early to learn what you can do as a homeowner to spot the signs when it happens. It also pays to understand the causes of a collapse and learn about the ways to fix them. The destruction usually occurs underground, at the site of your main sewer lines. These pipes are your connection to Markham’s municipal water supply and sanitation systems. Damage along those lines could lead to problems for your home that bring your life to a standstill while the costs pile up and time slips away.

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Markham, our professional plumbers know all about the threats to buried pipes, how they signal trouble to homeowners, and what they need for maintenance and repairs. That kind of knowledge is just as valuable to you as it is to us, and knowing the signs, causes, and methods related to a collapsed pipe repair will prepare you for one of the biggest struggles when it comes to your home's plumbing. Learn the signs and causes of a collapsed pipe and the solutions your Markham plumbers offer to restore your plumbing system’s balance.

How Do You Tell if You Have A Collapsed Pipe in Markham?

Your home is quick to tell you when something is wrong with its plumbing. A collapsed pipe in Markham is a serious problem, and you'll begin to notice issues increasing in regularity the longer that damage goes unrepaired. Those warning signs are typically broad disruptions that occur throughout your house because underground lines are the vital connections to every fixture in your home, but you should also pay attention to any isolated issues.

What Are The Signs of A Collapsed Pipe in Markham?

There are many symptoms. Some are obvious signs, but others are more subtle. Homeowners should look out for any of the following telltale signs:

  • Frequent backups, frequent blockages, and clogged drains
  • Clogs in more than one drain
  • Foul smells, bubbles, or strange noises coming from your sewer or drain pipes—gurgling toilet noises are particularly common and can lead to health hazards
  • Poor or slow drains and flooding in your home during heavy rains
  • Sewage pooling around floor drains and fixtures
  • You have no water in your faucets and fixtures
  • Increased moisture and dampness in areas of your home

Watch Your Lawn

A collapsed pipe will often affect the green areas above it. Flooding in your lawn may be common after a severe storm, but if you notice persistent pools forming in isolated areas, that could be a common sign of water leaking up onto the surface from a damaged line.

Extreme growth is a potential signal, too. Plants thrive when exposed to the sewage that seeps out of broken pipes. If an area of your lawn seems to be growing quickly or looks greener and more vibrant than other areas, it might be a sign that there is a problem under the surface.

Are You Responsible for a Collapsed Pipe in Markham?

The City of Markham is only responsible for lines that run from the city water mains to your property. Homeowners are responsible for everything inside their property, including the pipes below.

You can find out if it's a city problem from your neighbors. It's more likely to be a municipal sewer line if the people living closest to you are experiencing similar issues. In this scenario, you should contact the city immediately to notify them of the problem.

If you're the only one with woes, then it's likely an issue on your property, and you'll have to be the one to get collapsed pipe repairs from our Markham plumber.

What Causes A Collapsed Pipe in My Markham Home?

The great outdoors is an unfriendly place for buried plumbing. Even though sewer lines are usually made of stronger stuff, there are still several common causes of a collapsed pipe.

Trees and Plants

That maple tree looks great in the backyard, but it might be causing problems beneath. The tree root intrusion of large plants draws to the water running through buried drainage pipes, and they cause serious damage and blockages, too.

Roots that wrap around lines might squeeze and crush drain and sewer pipes in their search for water, but they also penetrate outer walls and spread inside, creating a net that catches other materials that cause fatal clogs.

Shifting Soil

If the foundation of your home is built in an area with loose ground, the earth can shift away from underground plumbing systems and remove support from beneath, resulting in a collapse.

Changes in Weather

The rotation of freezing and thawing that occurs across fall, winter, and spring could cause ice to build up inside pipes with failing protection against the elements. That expanding ice puts pressure on their inner walls and might be the final push needed for a collapse.

Old and Aging Pipes

As drains age, they become more susceptible to the threats that cause damage. If you live in an older home with original plumbing, your system is likely more vulnerable to a collapse if you haven't experienced one already. In such a case, an underground pipe replacement is recommended to prevent a potential plumbing disaster. Drain replacements either involve an excavation or a trenchless method. To determine which process works best, our Markham plumbers need to proceed with a detailed assessment.

How Do Collapsed Pipe Repairs Work?

Fixing the damaged tapestry of connections and lines below your property is a tremendous undertaking best left to those with experience and expertise. It could be a labor-intensive project that requires days of work and significant costs. Repairing sewer lines sometimes involves ripping up sections of your property to find underground lines and significant landscaping costs to repair those ruined areas.

Luckily, many plumbers now use trenchless sewer line repair technology to make necessary repairs with less destruction to your property—and fewer costs. From pipe lining, pipe bursting, and camera inspections of the pipe walls, we leave nothing to chance for your piping repairs. Plus, repairs that use this kind of technology might even be completed in a single day.

Get Professional Collapsed Pipe Repairs in Markham from Mr. Rooter Plumbing

The best way to avoid a plumbing issue is with regular maintenance services like drain cleaning service, but if you're experiencing even minor signs of a collapsed pipe, it's best to call a plumber as soon as possible. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Markham can help!

Give us a call today to make an appointment for routine repairs or plumbing emergency services. Don't let foul odors and poor drainage disrupt your life or cause potential health risks any longer. Our licensed plumbers offer expert services because your home deserves the best!