- You’ve noticed septic tank smells inside your home or office.
- Your toilets make gurgling sounds when you flush them. Drains are running slowly too.
- In addition, you’ve experienced septic sewage backups from toilets or other plumbing inside the building.
These are some of the signs that there is a problem with your septic system.
Unfortunately, septic system problems typically result in messy cleanups, inconvenient smells and septic system odor in your house, plus the expense of a possible septic tank replacement.
These problems tend to emerge at inconvenient times, such as when you are expecting guests in your home or office.
Ideally, you want to be able to diagnose these problems before they grow – and it can be difficult. There are many variables to be reviewed when trying to diagnose a septic system problem.
Here are some things to look for and consider if you experience signs of a septic system problem.
Consider the Source
The problems described above could be associated with a septic tank problem. Or they could be related to a drainfield problem. Mechanical malfunctions can also result in a septic system problem; so can clogs in your drain lines running to your septic system or a clogged septic tank filter.
Before attempting to diagnose the problem on your own, you should consult a septic services provider, such as Sonlight Services. A professional can diagnose and recommend fixes for the problem. If you’re not experienced in working with septic systems, you run the risk of exposure to deadly methane gases that are released from a septic tank.
Be sure you are familiar with the type and design of the system you have and where the tank and drainfield are located on your property.
Common Problems
Here are some of the common problems associated with a backed up septic tank or a backed up septic drainfield.
Septic tank problems:
- Sludge buildup from not pumping the septic tank on a regular schedule
- Broken drain lines or broken septic tank baffles
- Tree roots getting into cracks in the tank or around the septic tank cover
- Septic filter clogging from not having it properly cleaned on a regular basis
- Inadequate septic tank bacteria and septic enzyme populations
Septic drainfield problems may include:
- Sludge and other solids leaving the septic tank without proper treatment
- Grease capping from too much grease entering the septic system
- Bio-mat and or sulfite buildup (Drainfield bio-mat balancing problem)
- Broken drainfield piping or compacted soil
- Clogged drainfields from tree roots
- Old septic tank designs and improper location of the drainfield
Preventative Measures
Before you find yourself with a septic tank or drainfield problem, be sure you are familiar with proper maintenance of your system to help avoid these problems. Before attempting any solution, be sure to contact your septic services provider for assessment.
Sludge buildup from not following proper septic tank pumping procedures is the top reason for septic tank backups. Your septic services provider can tell you how to properly maintain your system to avoid this problem. We also recommend reviewing the blog How to Keep Your Septic System in Top Condition. An important step in keeping your system in good working order is to have your septic tank cleaned on a regular schedule.
Another common problem with septic systems is septic filter clogging from not having it properly cleaned on a regular basis.
The septic professional also should treat your septic drainfield to keep solids from building up.
If the problem is caused by broken drain lines or a broken septic tank baffle, your septic professional will conduct a full inspection of the tank to identify what is broken and replace it. If yours is an older system, the septic company may recommend replacing the tank with a modern fiberglass septic tank and septic tank filter system.
Another septic tank problem is tree roots getting into cracks in the tank or around septic tank covers and septic tank risers. Tree roots can really do a lot of damage to septic systems and make them work slowly or stop working completely. Your septic professional will know that treating roots in the septic tank is different than treating roots in the septic drainfield and should also know the environmental laws affecting the use of root-killing chemicals. Professional contractors should use an environmentally safe treatment, sometimes combined with root cutting to attack and treat root problems.
Most any problem with your septic tank system or drainfield can be avoided by following maintenance recommendations for septic tank systems and understanding the use and limitations of a septic system.
For help with your septic system, contact Sonlight Services or another qualified septic professional.