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Is it a Sewage Leak?

Chris Macdonald - Sales Director - SafeGroup

By

Chris Macdonald

3 min read

Identifying and dealing with a sewage leak as early as possible is essential to reducing Health and Safety risks and avoiding costly damage to your premises.

In this article, we uncover the tell tale signs to look out for, and what to do next if you think you have a leak.

Is it a Sewage Leak

It could be a leak if…

… you notice a distinct smell

Unlike gas leaks, sewage leaks will have a potent and distinctly eggy smell. This is caused by Hydrogen Sulfide gas, which comes from decomposing organic matter. The smell will be particularly strong in areas where your drainage system is located.

… you find it difficult to flush your toilet or drain your sink

If you you cannot solve a slow draining sink or toilet with a plunger, it could be a sign that your drains have become blocked by a sewage leak. This will eventually lead to a costly sewage backup, so it’s important to fix this as soon as possible.

… you hear trickling

If you can still hear trickling after turning off all taps and checking the toilet, it could be the result of a leak in your sewage pipes.

… you notice unexpected increases in your water bill

A small leak can quickly inflate your monthly water bill. To narrow down the cause of the increase, turn off all water sources, and check your meter reading.

… your flooring or walls become damp and discoloured

Severe sewage leaks can cause damp patches and even mold, and your flooring may feel spongy to walk on.

… you notice a change to your outdoor landscape

If grassy areas become extra lush or patchy, and are accompanied by sunken, wet patches, it could be a sign of a sewage leak.

If you or your staff notice one or more of these signs at your premises, you may have a sewage leak. Once repaired, sewage leaks require specialist cleaning as quickly as possible to eliminate harmful bacteria and ensure your premises is completely dried out. This may be included in your Landlord insurance policy.

To find out more about CleanSafe’s specialist sewage cleaning service, why not visit our Sewage Cleaning and Removal page, or call our 24/7 helpline on 0800 668 1268?

“There were swarms of tens of thousands of flies and the heat caused by the fermenting sewage meant temperatures were over 40 degrees centigrade”

Find out how CleanSafe’s specialist team helped get one sports club back to business

Chris Macdonald - Sales Director - SafeGroup
About the author

Chris Macdonald

Chris has strategic responsibility for sales development and major accounts management at SafeGroup. He was a professional footballer with Southampton FC until a series of injuries ended his career while still a teenager. Chris began working as a helpdesk controller for a national FM company in 2004. By 2013 he was its managing director. From there he joined SafeGroup in 2018, bringing with him huge expertise plus the energy, enthusiasm and drive that would have surely made him a success in the Premier League. He does, however, still enjoy playing football.

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