[jbicks]

I have noticed a small leak where the soil stack goes out of the house to the septic tank. I first believed that the leak was from rain runoff, I replaced the hydrolic cement around the 4" pvc inside the basement and the leak stopped. I just noticed that it is back, and we have not had any rain here in over 4 weeks, ground is so dry the grass is dead. I now believe the 4" PVC is cracked just outside the house and seeping back in through the cement seal. If I run water for a long time through the drain the leak shows up but if you only use the drains as normal nothing comes in.

Is there any way to verify the problem is really a cracked pipe, as I would hate to dig up the front yard to find that nothing is really wrong.

What are my options??

[massplumber2008]

Sure is... ;)

Go to a local landscape supplier and purchase some VEGETABLE DYE... usually blue colored crystalline/powder product.

Then mix up a few 5 gallon buckets with dye and water and flush down the toilets.

Run water in the tub while doing this and if the drain is leaking it will show up as blue stain at the foundation.

Finally, if the pipe isn't too deep it may just be easier to dig down outside and see the pipe first hand!

Back to you...

Mark

[jbicks]

Thanks for the idea Mark, I will have to give that a try. I did a little more investigation outside and found a ground hog hole over top the area where the pipe exits the house. The pipe is about 5' down so digging is my last option.

The pipe where it exits the house has a 90 degree bend with a cleanout screw in cap on it, if I was to open that cap I would be able to see down the pipe to see if it is broken, the sewage level is well below this level, but the cap looks like is has been glued in place. I am included a picture of the pipe where it exits the house.

Thanks again for the response.

[jbicks]

Picture did not show correctly, here is the link to it. http://flic.kr/p/8CEWcX

[massplumber2008]

Glad to help. The picture didn't show up, but not super important as you would want to send the dye down from inside the house so you test the entire piping/fitting going through the foundation.

Try the dye ;)

Mark