What is a Hydrostatic Test? When is it Necessary?

What is a Hydrostatic Test, and when do I need one?

Have you ever experienced issues with a drain line? Like most of us, the extent of your drain concerns may be as simple as too much waste crammed into your drain line, causing a small headache that is eventually passed with the help of your friendly neighborhood plumber. For some, the issue may be far worse, a collapsed drain line. If you are like most you may wonder, how can you be sure you even have a collapsed line? In today’s blog we hope to answer this very question, and educate our readers on the importance of a hydrostatic test, and when it is needed.

Understanding your Home’s drainage system

If you have been reading the blogs thus far, then this paragraph’s heading may seem familiar. Just think of it as a refresher! So, without further ado, let’s discuss the concept of the home drainage system! Every building structure has a separate connection tieing in their main building drain to the public sewer. These drain lines are typically made from one of three materials: cast iron, ABS piping, or PVC piping. Regardless of the material, the building’s main drain line runs beneath the home’s structure and branches off to service every plumbing fixture. Where, if given the proper amount of fall, waste will pass through the drain and eventually end up into the public sewer. Thus completing the harmonious system of proper waste disposal. Now, back to the good stuff…

Signs of a collapsed Drain Line

A collapsed drain line may start off as a minor inconvenience. At the start you may start noticing a reoccurring lingering smell, or you may notice the drains in your home begin to drain much slower than they used to. Now, experiencing slow draining doesn’t inherently mean you are experiencing a collapsed line, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t.

Here are some signs to keep an eye out for:

• Slow Drains
• Foul Odors
• Lush Patches of Grass
• Cracks on Foundation/Walls
• Gurgling Sounds
• Insect Infections
• Mold

Now just to be clear, just because you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, that does not inherently mean you have a collapsed line. In order to eliminate guesswork, we need to determine with certainty whether the line is collapsed. Performing a hydrostatic test provides a clear answer.

What is a Hydrostatic Test?

A hydrostatic test evaluates the integrity of a home’s drainage system. By definition, it involves filling the pipe system with liquid, usually water, pressurizing it to a specified level, and examining it for leaks (source: Wikipedia). However, in residential plumbing, what we refer to as a hydrostatic test can be more accurately described as a Gravity Leak Test. Let me explain.

During this process, the plumbing technician will place a test ball through the clean out to plug the building drain. After which, the technician will inflate the ball (plugging the line), and fill the clean outs to the top edge of the foundation’s slab. Once this is complete, the technician will allow the water to sit for an extended period of time. If a leak exists, gravity causes water to escape through the compromised line, indicating a failed test. If the water level holds steady, it confirms the line is intact, resulting in a passed test.

 So, I have a failed Hydrostatic Test- what now?

If your hydrostatic test fails, the next step is to pinpoint where the line has collapsed. You can locate a collapsed line using the following methods.

• Isolating Drain Lines- This method involves using inflatable plugs to isolate different areas of your drain line, in an effort to test the integrity of various sections of pipe. With the help of a sewer camera, the technician can isolate various section of pipe to test for leaks.
• Camera Inspection- This method involves solely running the camera through various areas to inspect the integrity of your drainage system.

Depending on your home’s layout, either option could benefit your drain line inspection. Talk to your plumbing technician, who can help you evaluate both options and determine the best solution for your plumbing needs.

Conclusion

Hydrostatic Tests are a helpful resource that can help homeowners determine if they have a collapsed drain line. And although a collapsed line is not great news, being able to rectify this issue before it gets worse is definitely a silver lining. If you are in need of a hydrostatic test, reach out to Specialty Plumbing. Our expert team is ready to assist and get your plumbing running smoothly again.

Your Go-To Plumbing Services in north DFW

Specialty Plumbing is a family-owned and operated company proudly serving North DFW, including Celina, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Allen,  and Prosper, and surrounding areas. Our team is committed to providing exceptional customer service because we understand that plumbing issues can arise unexpectedly. Our mission is to resolve them swiftly and efficiently! Reach out to us today, for any plumbing service you need, and witness our commitment to excellence firsthand!

At Specialty Plumbing we love to empower our clients with general knowledge of their plumbing systems! If you have any questions on a topic, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to continue creating content that educates you further on your plumbing system.

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