Septic Tank Repair is a job best left to the professionals. The complexity of the underground system makes it easy for problems to go undetected for long periods of time.
Keep a copy of all maintenance and inspection reports. Know where the septic tank is located and be sure to avoid planting trees or parking cars near it.
Clogs
A septic tank that doesn’t get pumped on a regular basis will eventually fill with solid waste. This can clog the septic tank outlet pipe and allow sewage to back up into your house or yard.
The most common sign that your septic tank needs to be pumped is when sinks and toilets drain slower than usual. If this happens, the clog is most likely in the line between your house and the septic tank. It may also be an issue with the effluent filter or baffle.
If you use a chemical drain cleaner not made for septic systems, it will kill beneficial bacteria in the septic tank and disrupt the natural ecosystem. The best way to prevent clogs is by only sending compostable materials down the drains and not using chemical cleaning products.
If you smell sewer smells in your home, it’s time to call a professional for a septic tank inspection. These odors indicate that the system’s ventilation pipe is clogged, which can block gases from exiting the tank.
Leaks
If your septic tank is leaking sewage into the surrounding soil this can be extremely hazardous. This waste is filled with dangerous bacteria that can be ingested by humans and pets. The sewage can also seep into local water sources such as lakes and rivers where it can poison animals, plants, and humans.
Leaks are often a sign that the septic system is overflowing or that one of the baffles in the tank has failed. These baffles are designed to seal to the inflow and outflow pipe, but they can crack, crumble, or come loose.
Another common symptom of a septic tank leak is a strong odor. Odors from the septic tank are produced when anaerobic bacteria break down organic waste in the wastewater. This process releases gases such as hydrogen sulfide which has a rotten egg smell. When the septic tank vent fails, these odors can escape into the house and even into the yard.
Damage
If your septic tank isn’t getting pumped regularly (every three to five years), the sludge and scum layer will build up in it. Eventually, this can cause your drains to back up and your toilets to flush sewage. It’s also a sign that you need to have your tank inspected and possibly pumped.
Strong sewage smells are another clear indicator that your septic system needs repairs. These smells typically indicate a clog in the ventilation pipe that traps gasses from your home’s waste system.
You can help prevent septic tank problems by mapping out the system components, so you don’t accidentally damage them while performing yard work or home maintenance. It’s also a good idea to limit your water usage by taking shorter showers, washing laundry in smaller loads throughout the week and using low-flow toilets. This reduces the amount of waste that flows into your septic system.
Replacement
There comes a point in a septic tank’s lifespan where it is no longer useful and needs to be replaced. Replacing older parts is less costly than repairing damaged ones and can help your septic system run at peak performance.
Sewer odors are one of the most common signs that it’s time to have your tank inspected or pumped. Other symptoms include slow drains and toilets, puddles or wet spots in the yard that aren’t caused by rain, and cracks in the concrete bases that support tanks or manholes over inspection chambers in the lawn or gardens.
A septic system is designed to safely trap, decompose and remove solid waste, while allowing liquid wastewater to flow into a drain field where it’s treated by bacteria. When a septic system gets full, it can lead to overflowing or a backup that brings standing water into connected plumbing in the home. This can also cause sewage to overflow into the environment, contaminating groundwater and polluting the air and surrounding vegetation.
