A septic system is an ideal waste disposal option for households off the local sewage system. However, servicing your septic system is vital in sustaining its structural integrity. If you fail to maintain your tank as required, it will malfunction, rendering your drainage system ineffective.
In addition, ignoring your tank's maintenance needs could make the system vulnerable to failure, reducing its service life. Therefore, it is recommendable to partner with a plumber and schedule septic pumping regularly. Here are signs of septic system failure requiring a plumber's attention.
Sewage Backup
If you notice wastewater backing up in your drains, a blockage in the septic tank could be the culprit. This issue can result from disposing of inappropriate material down the drains, such as fats, grease, and oil. Usually, these materials solidify and cling to the walls of the tanks. Over time, this build-up blocks the inlet pipe, restricting the flow of waste in the tank. Then, it causes sewage to back up in the toilet and sinks, which is unsightly and detrimental to your health. Sometimes, foul odors accompany the sewage backup, making your interior inhabitable.
Lush Vegetation around Your Drain Field
When the soakaway gets saturated, it may cause effluent to leak into the surrounding ground despite pumping. On the other hand, heavily compacted soil may prevent wastewater from flowing out in the drain field, causing it to back up. The wastewater will seep into the ground above, leading to a lush lawn, as this water acts as a fertilizer. You'll need to enlist the services of a plumbing expert to replace the drain field if too saturated. The expert might suggest placing the leach field in a spot with less traffic to minimize soil compaction.
Slow Drains
If you are experiencing slow drains in your house, there is a possible clog in the drain pipes. This issue mainly occurs due to flashing non-degradable items that bacteria cannot break down. As a result, solid waste will accumulate in the tank and form blockages in the pipes. Furthermore, wastewater from your sinks and tubs will flow slowly due to the constrained pipes.
Gurgling Noises
Gurgling noises are not uncommon when using plumbing fixtures. This sound mostly results from flushing chemicals such as cleaning agents down your drains. Unfortunately, these chemicals kill bacteria in the tank, preventing anaerobic digestion. Improper digestion causes solid waste accumulation in the tank, gradually blocking the buffers and inlet pipe. As such, you will hear gurgling noises as wastewater tries to bypass the blockage.
Septic system failure may lead to expensive repairs and replacements if you do not address it promptly. Therefore, you should routinely schedule maintenance checks with a septic service expert to ensure your septic system is in good working order.
For more info about septic tank pumping, contact a local company.
Share29 December 2022
When you think about professionals who work on your home, the first ones that come to mind might be HVAC technicians and maybe plumbers. But septic service workers are also essential. Without a working septic tank, you won't be able to flush away your waste, and you may even have smelly water all over your yard. Some plumbers also provide septic care services, but other times, you have to rely on a separate company to do this work. In either case, you can learn a bit more about septic services on this website, and we hope the information helps you take better care of your home.