A collapsed sewer line usually shows itself as a backup that snaking will not clear or that returns within a day, a drain cable that comes back with mud, gravel or pipe fragments, and a camera that cannot pass a certain point. Outside, you may see a sinkhole or depression over the line. A camera inspection confirms the collapse and its exact location.
Clogs and collapses can look the same at first: water will not go down. The difference is what happens when someone tries to clear it. A clog breaks up. A collapse does not, because the problem is the pipe itself.
Clog or Collapse: How Do You Tell?
| Sign | Clog | Collapse |
|---|---|---|
| After snaking | Drains flow and stay clear | Little or no improvement, or backup returns fast |
| What comes back on the cable | Paper, grease, roots | Mud, gravel, clay or pipe pieces |
| Camera | Passes after clearing | Stops at broken pipe or dirt |
| Yard | Usually normal | May sink, puddle or smell |
Other Warning Signs
- Every drain in the house slow or backed up at once.
- Sewage coming out of the outdoor cleanout.
- A strong sewer smell outside along the line.
- A soft, sunken or wet patch of lawn over the pipe.
- Rodents or insects appearing suddenly around the house.
Why Do Sewer Lines Collapse?
- Old pipe material. Orangeburg flattens, clay cracks and cast iron rusts through.
- Roots growing inside joints until the pipe splits.
- Washouts from a long-running leak that carries away the soil supporting the pipe.
- Heavy loads from vehicles or construction over a shallow line.
- Ground movement in clay soils that swell and shrink.
In Pine Bluff, homes from the 1940s through the 1970s are the most common candidates, especially those with Orangeburg pipe.
How Is a Collapse Confirmed?
A camera inspection goes in from the cleanout until it reaches the damage. The screen shows the broken pipe or soil where the pipe should be, and a locator on the surface marks exactly where the camera stopped and how deep it is. That mark tells the crew where to dig so the repair stays small.
How Is It Fixed?
A collapsed section has to be dug up and replaced. Lining cannot pass or form against a pipe that has caved in. If only one section failed, a collapsed pipe repair at that spot is usually a one-day job. If the line is failing in several places, replacement or pipe bursting may make more sense.
What Does a Collapse Look Like on Camera?
On the monitor, a healthy pipe looks like a round tunnel. As the camera nears a collapse, the pipe often goes oval, then the camera meets a pile of soil, gravel or broken pipe pieces filling the tunnel. With Orangeburg, the walls may be pressed nearly flat. With clay, you may see a section that has broken into shards. The locator then marks that exact point on the ground, often within a foot or so, which is why a collapse repair can usually be done with one targeted dig instead of a trench.
What Should You Do While You Wait?
- Stop running water in the house.
- Keep people and pets away from any sunken ground.
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaners into the line.
- Take photos of any damage for insurance.
A collapse is one of the few sewer problems that cannot wait long. See how we handle sewer line repair in Pine Bluff, including emergencies 24/7.
Call and my crew will find the collapse on camera, mark it and price the repair before we dig. 24/7.
FAQ
Can a collapsed sewer line fix itself?
No. The damaged section has to be replaced.
How long does a collapse repair take?
A single-section repair is often done in a day, depending on depth and access.
Can I keep using the toilet?
Keep use to a minimum. Every flush may back up into the lowest drain.