No one thinks about their septic system until things start backing up.
The problem is:
Once homeowners know there’s a problem, they’re faced with a sewage disaster and thousands of dollars in repairs. Most warning signs are subtle until things start failing. But if you know what to look for, you can prevent serious issues.
It’s also vital to take care of your system early on to maintain your home’s value. Let’s go over…
What You’ll Learn
- Why Septic Systems Fail
- Septic Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore
- What To Do When You Notice Problems
- Prevention Tactics To Keep Your System Healthy
Septic System Failure: What Causes It?
Septic systems don’t suddenly fail overnight.
Fact: According to the EPA, more than 20 percent of households in the United States use septic systems. Close to 65 million Americans utilize this particular system to process wastewater from their homes.
Here’s the catch…
Neglecting to pump the tank is by far the most common issue. When homeowners neglect pumping their septic tanks, solids overflow into the drainfield and cause irreparable clogs.
While septic tanks can last upwards of 20-30 years with proper care, several factors can cause your system to fail much sooner. Things like overuse, poor maintenance, and the site conditions can create some nasty problems. So when homeowners require septic services, make sure to choose a provider that offers comprehensive septic tank repairs.
Failure can also happen when tree roots block pipes, high water tables saturate soils, distribution pipes become crushed, or when the job was just not done right to begin with.
Common Septic Warning Signs You’ll Encounter
You can’t prevent bad maintenance if you don’t recognize some of these problems.
Slow drains inside the home
If you notice slow drains throughout your entire house at the same time, you could have a problem. When multiple drains and toilets become slow at the same time, it’s usually septic related and not just a clogged pipe.
Garbage does collect in drains overtime, but if every drain is slow it could mean your tank is full. Or, you could have a blockage somewhere between the house and the tank.
Smelling sewage near your tank or drainfield
This one should be obvious. If you start smelling sewage near your drainfield area or by your tank, you have a problem.
If you notice strong odors coming from your drainfield, it’s usually because your tank is past due on pumping. Another reason could be a malfunction in your system that is causing sewage to rise to the surface.
Lush grass Growing over your drainfield
If you notice green, soggy grass growing over your drainfield, you may have a problem.
Sewage is rising to the surface of your lawn and feeding your grass. The reason why you see such bright green grass is that your drainfield is not doing it’s job properly.
Surface water
Surface water or pooled water in your yard can be a sign that your drainfield is overrun.
When the water starts pooling around your tank or drainfield and it hasn’t rained recently, you may have a problem. If you notice puddles forming anywhere near your system, call a professional immediately.
Sewage coming back up into your home
We all know this is every homeowner’s worst nightmare.
When sewage starts backing up into your drains, toilets, or even into your basement, you have a serious issue. Imagine what can happen if kids or pets come into contact with this…
Knowing When To Call A Professional
Notice one or all of these issues? Here’s what you should do.
Stop Using Water
Once you notice any signs of failure, stop using any water in your home immediately.
Every gallon of water that goes into your tank will only cause more problems. You don’t want to pour money down the drain either.
Restrict Access
Until the problem is handled, restrict access to affected areas.
Whether it’s your kids or your pets, limit who can go into areas where sewage is present. Sewage can contain harmful pathogens that can be harmful to your family’s health.
Call A Professional
As soon as you notice one or all of these issues, call a professional.
Trying to handle any of these problems on your own can be hazardous. Don’t attempt any DIY repairs, call someone who knows how to fix the problem.
Septic System Prevention
Maintaining your system is MUCH less expensive than fixing one.
Here are just a few of the prevention methods you can use to care for your system. The EPA goes on to say that regular maintenance also protects public health and the environment by preserving our water resources.
Pump Your Tank
Everyone’s favorite thing to do.. Pumping your tank.
You should pump your tank every three to five years depending on the size of your household. This will remove solid waste before it has a chance to overflow into the drainfield.
Mind Your Drains
Did you know that septic systems aren’t meant to process everything you send down your drains?
When flushing waste, you should only ever introduce two things to your tank: human waste and toilet paper. Here are some things that will kill your septic system:
- Cooking grease and oils
- Feminine hygiene products
- Baby wipes (even the ones that say flushable)
- Paper towels
- Harmful chemical cleaners
- Coffee grounds
Don’t Overwhelm Your System With Water
You shouldn’t use more water than your system can handle at one time.
Run multiple loads of laundry throughout the week instead of one large load. Fix leaky fixtures and install water-efficient fixtures. Limit your shower time and avoid running the dishwasher and laundry machine at the same time.
Protect Your Drainfield
Avoid parking or driving equipment over your drainfield. Don’t build structures such as decks over your drainfield.
Trees should be planted at least 20 to 50 feet away from your system. Make sure rainwater and sump pump discharge is directed away from your system.
Costs of Neglecting Your System
The scary part of septic failure.
Small repairs and regular pumping can cost you a couple hundred dollars here and there. But if your system needs replacing, you can expect to spend between $5,000 to $15,000+.
Conclusion
Septic problems will not fix themselves. Most of the signs mentioned above need evaluated by a professional to ensure your whole system isn’t failing.
You should pump your tank every 3-5 years, be mindful of what you send down your drains, spread out your water usage, and keep your drainfield intact. Once you start to notice any issues, shut your water off and call a professional immediately.
Protect your family’s health and your wallets from future disasters by following these prevention tactics.