Limestone ground and what it means below the house
Limestone dissolves slowly in groundwater, which creates underground streams and sinkholes. Sinking Spring takes its name from that behavior, and the geology is part of local life.
For a plumber, the practical point is that the ground can shift or wash out around buried pipe. A water line or sewer line that has lost support can sag or crack. If the yard has a new dip or a wet patch, see water line repair and sewer line repair.
Wear points in any home
The borough was incorporated in 1913 and had 1,817 housing units at the 2020 census. Whatever the age of the house, some parts wear out on their own schedule.
Water heaters, fixtures and sump pumps wear out on a schedule of their own, even where the supply lines are modern. See water heater replacement for the typical decision.
Common symptoms and where to start
| Symptom | Likely cause | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Yard dips or pools near the pipe path | Buried line has lost support or is leaking | Water line repair |
| Floor drain backing up | Main line problem | Drain cleaning |
| Water in the basement after a storm | Pump or drainage issue | Sump pumps and basement water |
| Lukewarm showers | Failing heater element or burner | Water heater repair |
Sump pumps and wet seasons
In limestone country, groundwater can rise quickly after heavy rain. A basement that stays dry for years can start to seep after a wet season, and a sump pump that was installed long ago may no longer keep up.
Test the pump before the wet season by pouring water into the pit. If it fails the test, replace it before the next storm. See sump pumps and basement water for what an installation includes.
Reading a water meter
A water meter is the quickest way to tell whether water is leaking underground. Turn off every fixture, note the reading and the time, and check again two hours later. If the number moved, water is escaping.
Close the main at the house and test again. If the meter still moves, the leak is on the buried line, which is the case a plumber is most likely to need to locate with equipment.
Signs worth reporting
- A new depression in the yard along the path of a pipe.
- A wet spot that appears with no rain.
- Water pressure that drops at the whole house at once.
- A water meter that moves when everything is off.
- Soil washed out around a foundation or a cleanout.
Any one of these is a reason to call. Use the two-hour meter test described under leak detection to tell whether water is escaping.
Near Sinking Spring
The line also takes calls from Mohnton and the city of Reading. Say where you are, and a plumber will confirm availability on the phone.