If you’re a homeowner in Calgary, you might be asking: How serious is a cracked sewer pipe? After all, not every crack looks alarming at first glance. However, even a small crack can turn into a big problem if not repaired by professional sewer services in Calgary. What starts as a minor leak can quickly escalate into a full-blown backup, damaging your property and posing health hazards for your family.
At Mr. Trenchless, we help Calgary homeowners assess the severity of cracked sewer lines and learn about the best sewer repair services in Calgary for their situation. Here’s what you need to know about the causes, warning signs, and solutions.
Why Sewer Pipes Crack in Calgary
Sewer pipes don’t fail overnight. Oftentimes, long-term factors are at play. Calgary’s climate and infrastructure make cracks more common than you think.
- Aging Materials: Older homes often have clay or cast iron pipes that corrode and weaken over time.
- Freeze-Thaw Cycles: When winter rolls around, soil expands and contracts, putting additional stress on underground pipes.
- Tree Root Intrusion: When roots start looking for water, they can slip into tiny cracks in your pipes, which only worsen over time.
- Wear & Tear: After several decades of use, scaling and corrosion can cause problems. This can further wear down your system.
The team at Mr. Trenchless sees cracked sewer pipes nearly every day. If untreated, they can worsen due to root growth and freeze-thaw cycles.
How Serious is a Cracked Sewer Pipe?
Never underestimate hairline cracks. They will cause more damage if you don’t do anything about them. Here’s why:
- Leaks Lead to Soil Contamination: When sewage seeps into your yard, it can damage the soil and lead to unpleasant smells.
- Infiltration of Roots and Debris: When cracks form, tree roots and blockages can build up in your pipes.
- Health Hazards: When a leak happens, it can create a breeding ground for mold, pests and unsanitary conditions in and around your home.
- Escalation: In most cases, small cracks never stay that way. As time passes, they tend to expand under pressure, causing a full pipe collapse.
In short: a cracked sewer pipe is always serious—even if you haven’t noticed major problems yet.
Warning Signs of Cracked Pipe
Since sewer pipes are underground, you likely won’t know if one is cracked until it’s too late. If you’re unsure, look out for the following signs:
- Persistent slow drains or clogs throughout the home.
- Gurgling noises from toilets and drains.
- Strong sewage odours inside or outside the property.
- Soggy patches or sinkholes near the sewer line’s path.
- Sudden increase in rodents or insects attracted to moisture.
If you notice any of these signs, consider scheduling a camera inspection. At Mr. Trenchless, we can determine if a crack is the culprit.
Repair Options for Cracked Sewer Pipes
There are numerous ways to repair a cracked sewer and it’s now possible to fix a broken sewer pipe without digging. Thanks to modern trenchless technology, repairs can be done quickly and last for years—without the mess of excavation.
- CIPP Relining (Cured-In-Place Pipe): By inserting a resin-coated liner into your pipe, it creates a new one inside sealing cracks permanently.
- Pipe Bursting: A new pipe is pulled through the old one, which breaks apart the damaged line in the process.
- Spot Repairs: Rather than replacing the pipe entirely, small patches are used to fix the damaged pipe.
- Full Replacement: If the pipe has fully collapsed or is deemed unsafe, full excavation is required.
If your cracked pipe is structurally intact, trenchless relining is the smartest fix. Mr. Trenchless uses CIPP technology to keep your yard intact while helping your pipe last at least another 50 years.
Understanding the Severity of a Cracked Pipe in calgary
How serious is a cracked sewer pipe in Calgary? In short, it’s very serious! Even minor cracks can cause leaks, root intrusion, and structural damage if left unaddressed. As one of the experienced plumbing service providers in Calgary, Mr. Trenchless uses methods such as camera inspections, hydro-jetting, and trenchless CIPP relining to extend the lifespan of existing sewer lines without excavation.
Ready to fix your cracked sewer pipe? Contact us today to schedule a camera inspection and to get long-lasting peace of mind!
