Signs of Cast Iron Pipe Breaks

Homes built in the early 1940s and 1950s often used cast iron pipe for plumbing. However, it’s now nearly 80 years later and those pipes have begun to crack and break due to corrosion and tree root growth, something which can cause soil contamination, and pest infestations.

So, how do you know if you have a busted cast iron pipe? There are very specific signs to watch out for if you have cast iron pipes in your home.

Backups and bad smells

When there is a break in your cast iron pipe, it can cause the water and sewage in your home to back up. If your toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks don’t drain properly, or you notice a noxious smell when you go to clean them, your pipe is probably broken, and you need to get it fixed immediately to avoid contaminating your home with dangerous bacteria and fungi.

Pest Infestations

Oftentimes, critters can get through a break in a cast iron pipe and infest your home. If you notice a sudden influx of roaches or flies despite how clean you keep your home, you likely have a broken pipe that needs to be repaired.

This indirect sign is one of the most disturbing for homeowners at times. Few things are more frightening than seeing roaches and other disease-carrying insects in your home.  If you’re seeing roaches across your otherwise spotless home, consider calling an expert to help you understand what’s going on.

And don’t forget to call an exterminator while you’re at it!

Sagging Pavement or Yards

One of the issues with cast iron pipes is that water and waste from a broken drain pipe is the way that water and waste can pool underneath your yard and the pavement laid on top of it. This pooling waste and water can dissolve the soil it’s cutting through and cause the ground to sag, making it dangerous to walk on.

If you’re seeing soft spots and indentations in your yard and under the pavement, you may be looking at where cast iron pipes have developed leaks.

Cracks

Cracks in a home’s foundation or along its walls is a truly extreme sign of cast iron pipe damage. If this happens in your home, it’s a sign that your main line has a leak that has gone undetected for far too long. If the home’s plumbing isn’t replaced and the damage isn’t repaired, inaction can cause sinkholes and other significant damage.

Discoloration

Water stains are another sure sign of leaky pipes. The stains will be yellow or brown in color and could be anywhere – but will primarily be in corners or along the edges of your floor above the foundation.

Or, the sign may be as simple as wet spots. If you see water collecting or pooling on your floors or have spots of wet or damp carpet, you probably have a leak.

Call Bulldog Adjusters

Getting a Public Adjuster to help you handle your insurance claim is the best option. Bulldog Adjusters offers you decades years of combined experience. We’ll do an inspection, create a damage report, estimate the cost of repair, handle the negotiations with the insurance carrier, and get you a much larger settlement. Contact us today for free policy and damage review.