I recently bought a house with a septic tank for the very first time. I thought I was prepared, but I really had no idea what I was getting into. Shortly after we moved in, the septic tank backed up. I had to call for emergency septic services to have it pumped and taken care of. That's when I learned that I had overlooked some of the signs that the tank needed to be emptied. I created this site to share my experience and the tips that I learned along the way. My goal is to help others avoid the same septic problems that I have dealt with.
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Septic systems are excellent at managing wastewater in a household. Septic tanks have bacteria that break down blackwater into sludge and effluent. The effluent flows into a drain field for treatment and discharge into the soil. If one part of the system fails, the entire system won't be able to handle the waste from the house, and this could lead to an emergency. Therefore, you need to look out for these signs of imminent failure and take appropriate measures to prevent a septic system emergency.
Slow Wastewater Drainage Throughout the Home
Slow wastewater drainage in all your drains signals a problem with the sewer line or septic tank. A severely clogged sewer line can cause water to drain slowly from the house. Unfortunately, this problem would also occur if your septic tank is inefficient. For example, if the tank is full, your drain field won't be able to handle all the effluent flowing from the tank. Therefore, drainage could slow down throughout the entire system. Similarly, if your tank has few aerobic bacteria, the bacteria won't be able to break down waste efficiently. This will cause the tank to fill up faster, leaving little space for more water.
Soggy Ground Above the Drain Field
Is the ground above your drain field soggy or pooled with water? A drain field has perforated pipes that allow effluent to percolate into the soil. An efficient drain field shouldn't leak water to the surface. If the septic system sends more effluent than the pipes can handle, the wastewater will soak into the soil, causing wet spots and sewer odors in the yard.
Similarly, if the soil is compacted by heavy vehicle traffic, it won't be able to absorb the wastewater from the drainage pipes. Instead, the effluent will leak into the yard. Therefore, you must aerate the soil to allow it to absorb the effluent. Also, pump out your septic system if it is full to prevent the drain field from failing.
Wastewater Backup Into the Home
Once a septic tank becomes full and can no longer hold more water, wastewater from the house may flow back into the drains. As a result, you may notice a backup in your toilet, sinks, or shower drains. Wastewater backup is a sign of septic tank failure; therefore, you shouldn't use any more water in the household, as it will back up into the drains. Instead, shut off the water and call an emergency sewer service for help. Pumping out the septic tank and cleaning the sewer line should solve the problem.
The above signs indicate your septic system is overwhelmed and is about to fail. Therefore, contact an emergency septic service for immediate service and repairs. For more information, contact a company like Good Shepherd Septic Service.
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