Signs That You Might Have A Sewage Leak

Sewage leaks are unpleasant and in some cases dangerous. One of humankind’s great innovations over the last 200 years was the clean removal of human waste. Problems can still occur, however. Here are five signs that you might have a sewage leak.

Lingering Smells

The most obvious sign of a sewage leak is a lingering smell around your home. It can be particularly prevalent when you use faucets or washing machines, as this is when gasses from the sewage can escape into the house.

Rats

An increase in rat sightings is a hallmark of a sewage leak. Rats are attracted to the smell of sewage. There are a few theories as to why. The smell of sewage may be attractive to rats because humans (and therefore edible human rubbish) are never too far away from it. It is also theorized that rats seek out sewage because pipes and drains suit a distinct rodent behavior: thigmotaxis. Thigmotaxic behavior is the preference amongst rodents for brushing their whiskers up against a vertical wall for security and spatial awareness. Rats seek out entrances and exits to sewer pipes using scent. If you have lots of rats out in the open, you might just have a problem.

Massive Water Bills

Domestic sewage leaks adversely effect the water pressure in your home. This means that you will be using far more water than usual, and water will constantly be in use topping up sumps and pipes that are hemorrhaging liquid. If you are getting unprecedented water bills it might be time to call in an expert to check if you have a problem in your sewage system. Almost all local plumbers will be trained to look for sewage issues. Expert plumbers in Waxahachie TX can advise in domestic sewage system repairs.

A Lovely Green Lawn

While human waste is a massive health risk for humans, it is a great fertilizer for plants. Human waste has been used for years to nourish crops. In North Korea, where artificial fertilizer is scarce, it has been reported that citizens are required to produce a “human manure quota” for use in agriculture.

If you have a sewage leak, some human waste may be seeping out into the ground around your home. If you notice that the plants surrounding your house are growing remarkably quickly without any artificial fertilizer, you might well have a sewage leak. It is important not to eat any fruit or vegetables grown on patches contaminated by sewer water. All sorts of diseases are incubated in rotting human waste.

Poor Drainage

In most instances, poor drainage is simply the result of a blockage somewhere in your plumbing. If you clear your plumbing out and the problem persists, you most likely have a sewage leak. If this is the case, the poor drainage is likely caused by sewage getting into your drainage pipes. This is dangerous, as toxic gasses are able to enter your home via this route.