Blog>Expert Advice>Leaking soil pipe: Common causes and how to fix it
Last updated: 5 September 2024
Leaking soil pipe: Common causes and how to fix it
Believe you have a leaking soil pipe? Let's identify what caused the issue, what to do to prevent further damage, and cover how to fix the problem.
As you know, soil pipes transport waste water from your home's toilet to your property's drainage system. So, if your soil pipe is leaking, it's definitely not something to wait around for to get fixed.
Common causes of a leaking soil pipe
There are many reasons why your home's soil pipe can start leaking. The most common causes of this problem include:
Loose connections - Soil pipes are connected to form an effective wastewater drainage system. Over time, the connections can become loose, creating gaps and allowing water to leak out
Damaged seals - Rubber gaskets are used to create a watertight seal. These rubber seals can deteriorate or become damaged over the years. Wastewater will leak from a poorly sealed soil pipe
Damaged joints - Pipe joints can become damaged by the movement of waste through the system. Joints can become misaligned and leak if they are knocked or incorrectly installed
Cracked pipes - Soil pipes are made from durable materials, but cracks are still a common problem
High water pressure - Your soil pipe may spring a leak if your water pressure is too high
Poor installation - An incorrectly installed soil pipe will be more prone to leaks and damage
Signs of a soil pipe leak
A slow draining toilet, bad smells and mould growth are all signs of a leaking soil pipe.
You may not notice spraying water or hear a soil pipe leaking. Instead, you will need to inspect the pipe to find the source of the leak.
Look for any visible damage to the pipe, such as cracks and holes. A buildup of mould in a certain area can also indicate the leak's location.
If you are unsure what to look for, a professional plumber can locate the source of a soil pipe leak.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
How to fix a leaking soil pipe
The type of soil pipe repair needed will depend on the cause of the leak.
Fixing a soil pipe is a fairly straightforward task. That being said, you should only attempt a DIY repair if you have the skills, tools and experience needed. We recommend hiring a professional for the best long-term results.
Common methods used to fix a leaking soil pipe include:
Tightening loose connections
Applying waterproof repair tape
Using epoxy putty
Applying pipe repair bandages
Replacing the pipework
It may be you do the initial quick fix, then call out a professional to complete the job properly.
Let's take a closer look at each DIY repair method mentioned above.
Tighten loose connections
Tightening a loose pipe connection may be all that's needed to stop a leak.
Simply use your hands to turn the loose pipe to the right (righty tighty, lefty loosey). If a loose pipe connection was the culprit, your soil pipe should no longer leak.
Waterproof repair tape
Waterproof repair tape is a popular choice for soil pipe repair. Applying this specialist tape is a quick and easy way to seal off a leak.
The best pipe repair tapes are made with self-fusing silicone. This material creates a watertight seal over any cracks or holes in the soil pipe. Repair tape will also make sure your pipe is airtight and well protected.
This is a temporary fix, make sure to call a professional plumber out to repair the leak properly.
Epoxy putty
Can't fix the leak with repair tape? No problem. Epoxy putties can be used to effectively seal a plastic pipe and are a good option for tricky to reach areas.
Epoxy putty is available in stick form or as a two-part solution.
Often an epoxy putty stick is the best option as it is easier to prepare. All you need to do is break off the amount of epoxy putty you need and then knead it until it becomes malleable and changes into a single colour.
The epoxy putty is now ready to use and can be applied to the leaking area of your soil pipe. You will need to wait for the putty to cure before allowing wastewater to travel through the soil pipe again.
Curing times vary but epoxy putty is usually fully cured 24 hours after application.
Pipe repair bandages
Pipe repair bandages can also be used to seal a leaking soil pipe.
These bandages are coated in a water-activated polyurethane resin and are recommended to be used once other seals have been applied. For example. a bandage can be applied after sealing the leak with tape or putty.
Pipe repair bandages are a good choice for quick repairs. Little preparation work is needed to activate the bandage and the resin will cure in approximately ten minutes.
Often a bandage will be used to add extra leak protection. A professional plumber can determine whether a pipe bandage is necessary to secure the seal around your soil pipe,
Pipe replacement
A leaking soil pipe joint or connection can only be repaired if there isn't a significant amount of damage. While small cracks can be easily sealed, fixing large holes can be more challenging.
It is also difficult to permanently fix badly corroded and blocked soil pipes. Replacing the pipework may be the best option for soil pipes that are highly worn or damaged.
A professional plumber can replace a soli pipe and help you to say goodbye to wastewater leaks.
Search the Checkatrade directory to find high quality, approved and verified plumbers in your local area.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Cost of professional soil pipe repair
The average cost for a plumber to repair a leaking pipe is £330. Drain patch repairs costs an average of £200 - £450. You can expect to pay around£635 per metre if replacement pipework is needed.
Read our drain repair cost guide for a closer look at current prices. For more information on plumber rates, look no further than our expert guide detailing all of the latest plumber prices.
DIY soil pipe repairs can save you money but can potentially go horribly wrong. Without the correct plumbing experience, you may end up making a leak worse, damaging your soil pipe further or creating a big smelly mess!
Key takeaways
Loose connections, damaged seals, cracks and high water pressure can cause soil pipes to leak
Mould growth, slow draining and bad smells are all signs of a leaking soil pipe
Common soil pipe repair methods include using epoxy putty, applying pipe tape and securing the seal with a pipe bandage
Tightening a loose connection may be all that is needed to stop a leak
Professional plumbers, drain engineers and soil pipe repair specialists can fix a leak
Plumbers charge an average fee of £330to repair a leaking pipe
Finding high quality soil pipe repair near you
We recommend hiring a professional plumber to fix a soil pipe leak. Search Checkatrade to find high quality plumbers in your local area. All of our members are checked, approved and verified. We only approve tradespeople who work to our quality standards.
Don't ignore your leaking soil pipe. Enter your postcode below and hire a reputable plumber to find the leak and fix the problem.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job