If you see signs of foundation issues, it’s essential to address them quickly. Leaving them unattended will only worsen the problem and cost you more money.

A sewer leak not only increases the risk of slanted doors and windows, buckled floors, and other problems, but it also allows dangerous water and soil gases into your home or building.

Water Damage

All that sewage isn’t just bad for your health; it can also wreak havoc on the structure of your house. If a sewer line has a crack or a hole, that’s a recipe for flooding and water damage.

That sewage can seep into your foundation and eat away at the solid ground that you build your home. That’s how cracks in the walls and basement can form.

Those cracks can even lead to sinkholes in your yard, causing you to lose valuable property. So, if you’ve noticed wet lawn stretches or your water meter is moving when it shouldn’t, it could be a sign of a broken sewer line. The good news is that you can call a plumber to find and repair the problem before it gets out of hand.

Mold Growth

Mold grows where there is moisture, and a broken sewer line can provide a perfect opportunity for it to sprout in your home. Mold growth is not only bad for your house’s structural integrity, but it can also pose serious health concerns. For instance, people who have allergies or breathing conditions are particularly susceptible to its spores.

A sewer line leak can also cause sewage to overflow into your home. While this can happen occasionally due to a clogged drain or tree roots, frequent sewage backups could mean a problem with the main sewer line.

Another telltale sign that your sewer line is leaking is when you notice the water in your home draining slower than usual. While some homeowners may shrug this off and try using chemical drain cleaners, doing so can make the issue worse by corroding the pipes. Instead, call a professional immediately. A plumber specializing in sewer line leak repair Jacksonville FL can use a camera to locate the leak and determine what caused it.

Insect Infestation

The dark and damp areas around sewer leaks attract unwanted vermin such as rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, and possums. These creatures are also naturally drawn to decaying organic matter, like dead trees and plant material.

As a result, the leaking water will bring an array of unwanted pests that can leave a lasting and detrimental impact on your home. Rodents, roaches, and other pests are inconvenient and can harm your health.

Other issues from sewer leaks are unpleasant odors, mold and mildew, and foundation damage. Call a plumber or foundation repair company if you notice any of these problems in your home. Moisture in crawl spaces leads to beam rot, and rotting wood can cause serious issues throughout the house. This is why keeping water and moisture away from your foundation is essential. This can be accomplished by installing downspout extensions that direct runoff away from your home’s foundation.

Foundation Damage

A sewer line runs through your foundation – it links all of the plumbing inside your home to the local water supply and sewer systems. Leaks can cause severe damage to your foundation and the structural integrity of your home.

Slab leaks can also lead to mold or mildew in your home, which is unhealthy for you and anyone living there. Even if you don’t see signs of a leak in your home, such as an unexplained increase in your water bill, a leak may have occurred underneath your foundation, and raw sewage leaks into the ground.

Supply line leaks are less common than slab leaks but can still damage your foundation. These leaks can cause a shifting of the soil around your foundation, which puts a lot of pressure on your home’s foundation. You can spot supply line leaks by looking for sloping floors in your home and cracks that widen as it rains.