Unusual Green Patches in Your Yard? It Might Be a Sewer Leak

How to identify a sewer leak

Many people living in Troy, MI, own a home with a yard. If you’ve ever noticed unusual green patches in your yard, you may wonder what’s causing it. Green patches caused by sewer leaks are quite common. The team at Hoover Electric, Heating, Plumbing, and Cooling has some helpful information about signs indicating a possible sewer leak, tips for repairing these leaks, how to prevent them, and more. 

Why Are There Green Patches in Your Yard?

Of course, you want your lawn to be nice and green. However, unusual yard growth and sewer problems are often related and shouldn’t be ignored. Here’s more information about understanding lawn growth, how a sewer leak can cause patches, and other possible causes of green patches in lawns.

Understanding unusual lawn growth

A leaking sewer releases wastewater into the ground, which acts as a natural fertilizer. This causes patches of grass to grow greener and taller than the surrounding areas. Wastewater contains organic matter broken down by soil microbes to release nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, both promoting plant growth. A sewer leak also releases more moisture into the soil, encouraging patches of grass to grow faster. 

Other possible causes of green patches

Uneven lawn growth is often expected due to things like overwatering parts of the lawn. Uneven growth in areas with unevenly dispersed irrigation may also cause green patches to grow in different parts of your yard. Fertilizer spills or areas where concentrated fertilizer is applied to the lawn could create green patches. Natural variations in soil quality, various slopes, and root zones can also encourage lush green patches to grow in your yard. 

Signs That a Sewer Leak Might Be the Problem

It’s important to know the signs of a sewer leak in your yard so you can be proactive. Look for these common symptoms of a sewer leak and other indicators that may indicate sewer line issues: 

  • Persistently green and fast-growing areas in your yard
  • Damp or soggy spots
  • Foul odors near the green patches
  • Visible sinkholes or unusual depressions in the lawn
  • Slow-draining sinks, tubs, or toilets in your home
  • A sudden, unexplained increase in your water bill
  • Frequent clogs or backups in your plumbing system

Dangers of Ignoring a Sewer Leak

Once you know how to identify a sewer leak, don’t ignore it. Sewer leaks and excess water in the yard are serious issues, and ignoring them could be dangerous to your health, the environment, and even the structure of your home.

Health risks

A leaking sewer exposes dangerous bacteria and pathogens in your wastewater, which could make you or your family members sick. Sewer leaks also increase the risk of pest infestations, which can cause many problems for you and your home.

Environmental problems

When a sewer leaks, it contaminates the groundwater and nearby water sources (ponds, lakes, and streams). If left untreated, a sewer leak could cause long-term soil damage that harms plants and wildlife.

Structural damage

If your sewer is leaking, it could cause erosion or weakening of the ground around the leak. If that leak is near your foundation, it may turn into a serious issue that’s extremely expensive to fix. Sewer leaks also create a potential for dangerous sinkholes to form and can cause your home’s structure to become unstable. 

How To Confirm a Sewer Leak in Your Yard

There are some things you can do to detect a sewer leak in your yard. However, it’s often best to call a professional plumber in your area for help. 

DIY inspection tips

Visually inspect your lawn regularly and look for visual signs like extra-bright green or overly lush patches, soggy spots, and foul odors. Listen for running water and unusual sounds near any areas where you suspect a leak may be present. 

When to call a professional plumber

If you’re not 100% certain you have a sewer leak, professional plumbers use specialized equipment as part of their accurate sewer line leak detection services. High-tech sewer camera inspections help the plumber find the exact location of the leak at the source before repairs are made. Hoover provides financing options for sewer repairs and other services.  

Repairing a Sewer Leak

Detecting underground sewer leaks is the first step, but repairing the leak prevents further damage and more problems from developing. 

Options for fixing a sewer line leak

There are two types of sewer line repair methods:

  • Traditional trench repairs: This sewer repair method involves digging a trench to access the damaged sewer pipe. While this method allows for the most accurate and thorough repair, it also causes major disruptions to your landscaping and could potentially damage nearby utilities or the home itself. It’s also more time-consuming than trenchless sewer repair.
  • Trenchless repair methods: This type of sewer repair doesn’t require digging, so you won’t have to worry about damage to your lawn or home. Two methods are used for trenchless repair. Pipe lining creates a new lining inside the existing sewer pipe to repair the leaking, damaged sections. Pipe bursting involves physically breaking the pipe apart and pushing a new pipe into the section to replace the severely damaged pipe or pipes. 

Costs and timeframe for sewer repairs

Several factors affect the cost of sewer repairs, including the leak’s location, the method of repair used, and its severity. The timeframe for repairing a sewer leak varies. It may take just a few hours to repair small issues and minor cracks, but it can take one to three days to repair severe leaks or sewer leaks in deep or unusual locations that require more intensive repair. 

Preventing Future Sewer Line Leaks

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent future sewer line leaks: 

  • Regular maintenance and inspections: Have your sewer and plumbing inspected and maintained regularly to detect issues early and prevent leaks from worsening. The team at Hoover uses special high-definition sewer cameras to thoroughly inspect your sewer, making it faster and easier to identify early problems.
  • Protect your sewer lines from damage: Avoid planting trees near sewer lines to prevent root intrusion. You can also upgrade to durable modern sewer line materials that are more resistant to damage and leaks. 
  • Use plumbing systems properly: Avoid flushing harmful items like wipes, sanitary napkins, hair, and grease down drains. Check your plumbing often to ensure you’re getting good water flow and that your drains and toilets are draining normally
  • Address issues early: If you suspect a problem with your plumbing or sewer, contact Hoover immediately. The sooner you address these issues, the less severe and costly the problem will be. 

Contact Us for Expert Sewer Leak Detection and Repair

Hoover has been in business since 1980, and we stay current with the latest technologies and methodologies in our field. We offer free estimates on new HVAC systems and aim to provide high-quality services. If you need expert sewer leak detection and repair in the Troy area, contact us to schedule service today!

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