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The Destructive Power of Water - Broken Pipes

Water has proved its destructive power time and again throughout nature. You just have to look at the recent 'sink hole' beach collapse at Inskip Point which swallowed a car, caravan, camper trailer and a few tents to see how much damage water can cause.

Broken Pipes Brisbane

Experts say the event at Inskip Point was not a 'sinkhole' but largely caused by the ongoing movement of sand in the area, pushed by the tides, currents and the water erosion of sand below the beach line resulting in a submarine landslide.

Broken pipes

The detrimental effects of water erosion can occur on a much smaller scale in your own front yard from cracked or broken pipes. The water leaking underground from these faulty pipes can undermine the stability of your garden beds and lawn and in some cases cause movement in structures such as fencing, sheds or retaining walls.

Unfortunately, homeowners are often not aware of these leaks until the damage has already occurred. Thankfully there are some telltale signs you can look out for that could indicate your pipes are damaged.

  • turn all the taps off inside and outside your home, including the dishwasher and hot water system, then check the mains water meter. If the meter is still ticking over recording water flow into your home you could have a leak in a mains water pipe. You will need to call in a plumber to find and fix the pressurised pipe leak.
  • one or more trees or plants in the garden are growing at a much faster rate than similar plants
  • depressions appear in the lawn, sometimes with water pooling
  • you notice damp patches around the yard during periods without rain
  • cracked cement pathways or warped paving
  • bad odours emitting from the drains around your home
Book a drain plumber

If you note any of the effects in the above points happening around the home, prompt action is needed to prevent further damage from occurring. A broken pipe can quickly lead to:

  • root intrusion - this occurs when the roots of a tree or bush follow the water coming from the broken pipe and work their way into the pipe causing the crack to increase in size and eventually block the drain.
  • the crack can allow dirt and debris into the pipe creating potential blockages
  • just like the sink-hole effect, the area around the break can become washed away leading to holes in the garden or lawn

Pipe repairs

The good news is these leaks are easily repaired by a pipe repair professional, often without digging up the yard. A CCTV drain camera is used to pass along the pipe to pinpoint the exact location and extent of the crack. The pipe repair is carried out with a pipe patch which is passed along the drain and cured in place to form a solid, lasting barrier inside the existing pipe.

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