When you run the tap or flush the toilet, nobody thinks much about where that water goes. If you have a septic tank, you need to think about it, so you know it’s working properly. Septic systems are complicated. When there’s an issue, it’s not always easy to work out what’s gone wrong. Diagnosing the issue is important for keeping your home safe. If you’re having a septic tank problem, it’s likely to be one of these.
Clogs
If your septic tank is giving you problems, the first question to ask yourself is when it was last pumped out. Septic tank pumping is important as the tanks gradually fill with solid waste. Grey water passes through the tank and out into the underground drain field lines. If the tank is full of solid waste, then you might experience sewage backups in the toilets or slow-draining sinks and bathtubs.
How often your tank will need pumping depends on a few factors. How many people live in the house? How much wastewater goes into the septic tank? Do you take long showers or do lots of laundry? Do you run the dishwasher a lot? Each of these fixtures and appliances drains into your septic tank.
If your tank was pumped in the last year, it’s unlikely that it is full. Instead, you likely have a clog between the house and the tank, or in a branch pipe between rooms. You need to find where the clog is. If all of your drains are draining slowly, the clog is likely to be in a pipe leading away from the house. Pipes can become clogged when non-flushable items are flushed, like wet wipes, tampons, or paper towels.
If sewage is backing up, you might have an issue with the outlet baffle or effluent filter. Check these if you have access to them and remove any clogs.
Tree Roots
Tree roots are very resilient. They can wrap around or drill through whatever they find that is in their way, including pipes. If you have trees in your garden, keep a close eye on them so roots don’t damage your pipes and cause your septic system to dump waste in the wrong backyard.
Tank or Line Leak
Lush green grass in your garden might seem like a good thing, but green grass can also be a sign that something has gone wrong. If your grass is oddly green or appears healthy when everything else is dead or dry, this could be a sign that your septic tank has a leak in it, or that your lateral lines are receiving too much wastewater downstream from the septic tank and are saturating your yard. You might spot puddles or even raw sewage on your lawn, which is an environmental hazard and must be promptly deal with.
Conclusion
A septic system that is is properly treated and maintained will last you for decades. Don’t let common septic tank problems decrease the life span of the system. If you think you have a clog, leak, or tree root problem, call in a professional to fix it.
