Is Your Sewer Causing Sinkholes?

Sinkholes can develop naturally when rock below the surface of the land dissolves or erodes due to water circulated around it.  When enough of this area has eroded away it is unable to support the earth above it and the earth caves into the cavity below, causing a sinkhole.  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.

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 deteriorates, causing the sewer line to leak. Today’s building codes require sewer lines 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.

There are a few ways to tell if your sewer is causing sinkholes in Chicago. Sinkholes 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. To find out more about if your sewer system is causing a sinkhole, contact us today. 

To tell if your sewer pipe is broken in Chicago, IL, you should keep an eye out for the following: 

  • Your drains are draining slowly.
  • You notice a sewer smell in your home. 
  • You have an infestation of rodents or insects in your home.

If you notice any issues with your plumbing, you should have it addressed right away because it may indicate that there is a deeper issue with your sewer line. To get your sewer pipe repaired, call us today. 

Some signs your sewer line is leaking include: 

  • You notice pools of water on your floors.
  • Your water bill has increased dramatically.
  • You notice sounds of running water constantly. 

These signs can be a large indication that there is an issue with your sewer line. To ensure that you do not have a leak in your sewer line, you should have it inspected by a licensed plumber. To get your sewer line repaired, give us a call today. 

Many municipalities today now diagnose the cause of these sinkholes to be sewer related.  In order to test this, city workers position a camera in the city 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 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.  Often times, 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.