Is Your Sewer Causing Sinkholes?
When you think of sinkholes, you might picture a natural disaster—sudden, dramatic, and unavoidable. But what if one was slowly forming on your property, caused by something as common as a leaky sewer pipe? It's a surprising reality that many sinkholes, particularly those in residential areas, are directly linked to issues with the underground sewer system.
Years ago, the joints of sewer pipes were packed with a rope-like material called oakum and then wrapped with a layer of concrete around the outside of the pipe to seal it. Over time, the concrete and oakum in these joints deteriorate, causing the sewer line to leak. Today’s building codes require sewer lines to be gasketed and sealed properly so that water does not leak out of them (exfiltration) or that groundwater does not leak into them (infiltration). Both infiltration and exfiltration cause the soil surrounding the sewer line to erode, and as this erosion occurs, a sinkhole forms in the area above the sewer line. Sinkholes pose many dangers to both people and property – cars driving over one can be damaged if the sinkhole is large enough, or someone who unknowingly walks into one can turn an ankle or perhaps experience something even worse.
Here’s a deeper look into the connection between your sewer line and the ground you stand on.
Why Do Sewer Lines Cause Sinkholes?
When sewer pipes aren’t sealed properly or begin to deteriorate, water leaks into the soil. Over time, this erodes the ground beneath your home, creating voids that eventually collapse. In older Chicago neighborhoods where clay and cast-iron pipes were commonly used, this is a frequent issue. Sinkholes can also develop due to man-made circumstances. If you have ever looked at a house and noticed a depression or a trench in the front lawn, chances are the sewer is running directly below that depression. A sewer line that is not sealed properly can cause the ground to erode over time, leading to your sewer causing sinkholes.
Other contributing factors include:
- Aging infrastructure: older sewer joints sealed with oakum and concrete eventually fail.
- Erosion from leaks: leaking water washes away the surrounding soil.
- Soil conditions: the clay-heavy soil common in Illinois is especially prone to erosion.
Signs Your Sewer Line Might Be Failing
There are a few ways to tell if your sewer is causing sinkholes in Chicago. A sinkhole is a worst-case scenario and are primarily caused by sewer lines that are not sealed properly and have deteriorated over time. In some cases, you may not be aware that sinkholes are forming due to your sewer system until it is too late. However, if you have your sewer line regularly inspected and ensure that it is lined and sealed properly, you can greatly reduce the risk of it causing sinkholes.
Fortunately, your property often provides early warning signs that a sewer line is compromised. If you notice any of these issues, it's crucial to have your plumbing inspected by a professional:
- Persistent Clogs or Slow Drains: If multiple drains in your home are slow or frequently back up, it could indicate a clog or collapse in the main sewer line.
- Foul Odors: The smell of sewer gas in or around your yard is a clear sign of a leak. Your sewer system should be airtight except for the vent on your roof.
- Lush, Green Patches of Grass: One of the most common signs is an area of your lawn that is unusually green and healthy, often staying soggy even during dry weather. This is where the leaking water and waste are acting as an underground fertilizer.
- Depressions or Soft Spots: A small dip in your lawn, a crack in your driveway, or an area that feels soft and spongy when you walk on it could be the first sign of a void forming underground.
- Pest Infestations: A broken sewer line can provide a perfect home for rodents and insects, which can easily find their way into your home from the yard.
How to Prevent Sewer-Related Sinkholes in Chicago
Fortunately, there are ways to stop sewer-related sinkholes before they happen:
- Routine Sewer Inspections: Regular inspections help identify leaks early.
- Sewer Lining Repairs: Trenchless lining seals cracks and restores your pipes without major excavation.
- Drain Maintenance: Keep drains free of buildup that can increase pipe pressure and lead to cracks.
By sealing leaks and reinforcing weak pipes with our trenchless sewer lining process, you prevent water from escaping into the soil, which reduces the risk of sinkholes and protects your property
Professional Sewer Repair Saves You Time and Money
Many municipalities today diagnose the cause of these sinkholes to be sewer-related. In order to test this, city workers position a camera in the city's main sewer line while pouring colored water into the sinkhole. They can then determine which particular sewer line is causing the sinkhole by seeing the colored water flowing out of it and into the city's main sewer line. In plenty of these cases, the municipalities are placing the responsibility on the homeowner to make the necessary repairs to their sewer line. Oftentimes, this usually means thousands of dollars in repairs and restoration costs for the homeowner.
Lining your sewer line seals off any joints or cracks where water may be leaking by creating a brand new one-piece pipe inside your old pipe. Lining stops water from leaking in or out of your sewer line and thus, stops the erosion that could possibly cause a sinkhole.
Our trenchless technology lets us:
- Repair leaks without digging up your yard.
- Extend the life of your existing pipes.
- Provide a long-term solution at a fraction of full replacement cost.
Call 708-758-5070 to protect your Chicago home from sinkholes.