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A properly designed, constructed and maintained septic system should be virtually trouble free. Unfortunately things do go wrong and problems with the septic tank are usually the cause. But since they are buried, out of sight out of mind so to speak, it’s not until a nasty odor starts to hang over the property that the homeowner is aware that something is amiss. There are several things to watch for that will indicate if you are indeed having issues with your septic system. First, as mentioned earlier, is bad smells emanating from various areas of the house. The smell may be coming from toilets or drains, or it may just be lingering with no real identifiable source. Toilets that flush slower then normal or backed up drains may also indicate a problem. Of course this may be nothing more then a clogged drain or pipe but if plunging or snaking doesn’t fix the problem then it is probably a septic system problem. You may also notice the proverbial “the grass is always greener over the septic tank” actually coming to life. If the grass over the septic drain field is noticeably more lush then surrounding areas, particularly during dry weather, this may be an indication that there is an issue with the tank. There are a variety of things that may cause these problems and we have listed them out below. 1. Failure to get the septic tank pumped out at regular intervals. Proper maintenance will keep most septic systems running smoothly and number one on the maintenance list is regularly scheduled removal of built up solids and sludge. 2. Flushing non-biodegradable or slow to degrade items down the toilet or sink drains. Sanitary napkins, paper towels and cotton balls are all able to cause clogs in the systems pipes and the tank. Plastics and Styrofoam are even harder on septic systems as they are nearly impossible to break down and should never be flushed if at all possible. 3. Pouring cooking oil and grease down the sink drain will also cause major issues. It does not break down quickly and will cause clogs in the inlet and outlet drains as well as in the upper chamber. It can also cause odors and make pumping out the tank more difficult. 4. Limit the amount of food particles put into the system. While garbage disposals are a great convenience septic systems aren’t designed to break down food wastes. 5. Too much or too little water in the system can also create problems. Excess water in the system can force sludge and solids into the drain field pipes resulting in clogs and environmental hazards. It can also cause a system failure resulting in expensive repairs. Not enough water is also detrimental and can lead to a die off of the bacteria that breaks down the sewage. These bacteria are responsible for neutralizing the nitrogen that build up in septic tanks. 6. Inadequate tank ventilation can be another problem. Vents are used to ensure adequate airflow through the system and keep the pressure within the tank equalized. If these vents get plugged or don’t work correctly there is a good chance that bad odors will result. 7. Dumping chemicals, paints, solvents, herbicides or pesticides into a septic system can cause un-repairable damage resulting in a complete system replacement elsewhere on the property. It can also cause harmful damage to the environment that could take many years to fix before returning to normal. The best way to prevent septic tank problems is to follow the 7 points listed above and get the tank pumped out and inspected regularly. For most systems this is about every 2 to 3 years. Doing so will minimize potential problems and ensure that your system will work efficiently year after year. Problems with your septic system need to be diagnosed and repaired in a timely fashion. Your local septic tank pumping service is a good place to start when problems do arise. To learn more about septic tank problems please click here.
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Septic tank problems, septic tank pumping, septic tank maintenance, septic system,
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