Hydrostatic Testing Frisco

What Does a Hydrostatic Pressure Test Determine for Frisco Sewer Lines?

In laymen terms explanation, think of your homes underground sewer lines as a tree. There is the main trunk and then branches that spread out from the trunk. The branches go to each and every bathroom or other sanitary drain in your home. The branch lines that connect to the sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, etc. All of these lines must have consistent steady downhill fall. When in use, all of the waste water travels from the various “branch arms” and into the main sewer line (the trunk). The main line eventually leads out into the yard and to the Frisco city sewer (or septic system).

A basic “Hydrostatic Pressure Test” is performed to ensure that all of the lines from slab level and below (all of the underground portion) is free of breaks, cracks or separations. The test is performed by placing a specialized plumbing balloon in the existing sewer cleanouts. From there, the entire system is filled with water. Once filled all the way to the last or farthest fixture, the water level is marked appropriately and then we wait. Minus the preparation & planning and barring a toilet leaking from the bottom, the actual test time is 20 minutes. In that timeframe the water level should not drop any. Any amount of water loss would indicate a likely break somewhere in the system.

A Hydrostatic Pressure Test in Frisco only identifies the presence of a failure in the sewer system. It does NOT determine where the failure is located OR if there are other potential issues such as a belly. Additional sewer line testing & diagnostic work may be required based on results of the Hydrostatic Pressure Test, the overall age of the home, AND/OR situation why a test was requested (ie: post foundation repair, etc.).

Are Hydrostatic Pressure Tests Safe for My Home?

Yes! A Hydrostatic Pressure Test is completely safe. This assumes you do not have a broken sewer pipe in the wall at slab level but if that were the case then water damage would be present. This also assumes that the toilets are properly installed. The latter being something that is actively inspected throughout the filling & testing process.

We often get this question when a house is under contract. Typically, the selling agent will state this as a fact and/or bring up nonspecific concerns. We are not sure where this wise tale came from other than we think it was started by real estate agents that have concerns that the house they are trying to sell will NOT pass the test. A failed test when the home is under contract might require a considerable addendum and that would cut into their commission and the owners proceeds. And since sewer line repairs under the slab (and slab leaks) are some of the most expensive jobs that a plumber will perform, these can easily be deal breakers.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although safe, an older home (1985 or earlier) in the DFW area that has “cast iron pipes” as sewer lines will NOT pass a Hydrostatic Pressure Test – period! In fact, we will not even waste your money trying to perform this test. The system may still be partially functioning for now, but it will NOT pass. Furthermore, cast iron pipes have a limited longevity. Any home with cast iron sewer lines should have a financial plan in place to replace the entire system. This material was expected to last 50 years but what we are seeing throughout DFW, and our caustic clay soil is closer to 40-45 years. What that means is that homes built before 1985 are due now and homes built in 1980 or earlier are past due. Cast iron pipe – unless already replaced – is predominant & common throughout Plano, Richardson, Garland and North Dallas. Replacement of a cast iron sewer system is easily one of the most expensive jobs that a plumbing company will perform!

How Much Does a Hydrostatic Pressure Test in Frisco Cost?

At Earl’s Plumbing, we price our Hydrostatic Pressure Tests with three criteria taken into consideration: 1) age of home, 2) size of house and 3) the number of bathrooms (toilets) on the first floor. We will assume the kitchen and laundry are on the first floor and then usually the primary bathroom and at least one guest bathroom is on the first floor. A typical & basic Hydrostatic Pressure Test for a home built after 2000 typically starts at $250. Older homes or homes with more than two bathrooms on the first floor will go up from there.

The initial price range provided for any Hydrostatic Pressure Test assumes a few things. The first is that the sewer cleanouts are in place, not buried, easily accessible and are the proper height to perform a proper test. The next assumption is that all of the toilets are installed correctly and are properly sealed at the base.

As the test progresses, if a toilet begins to leak at the base due to improper installation, the test will need to be temporarily stopped while the toilet is removed, and a plumbing balloon is used to plug that line. Then the test resumes unless another toilet does the same. Stopping the test and removing a toilet that is not properly installed and then later reinstalling the toilet(s) obviously adds to the final cost of the test and there is no way that this can be predicted until the test is in progress. A good rule of thumb is that if you have had a bath remodel and you allowed the flooring contractor to reinstall the toilet… about 90% of the time, it is going to leak! Handyman or DIY is just slightly better with about 50% of the time these end up leaking! In most instances, each test stoppage requiring a toilet removal & reset would typically add $175 to $200 to the total.