Septic systems require consistent maintenance. Otherwise, you
risk costly failures. When your system malfunctions, the septic releases
contaminants to the environment and poses a danger to human and animal health.
Be keen to notice any signs that indicate a failed septic system to solve the
root problem before it gets out of hand. Below are some of the indicators.
Water or Sewage Backflow
When your septic system fails, wastewater and sewage no
longer enter the tank. Instead, they stay inside the pipes and then come out.
As a result, the waste backflows into the sinks, drains, and toilets. The
wastewater backflow is from a clogged pipe or a full drainfield, among other
factors:
- A clogged pipe. This
situation happens if a blockage happens between your premises and the
septic tank. For instance, if you toss difficult-to-flush items like wipes
or tampons in your toilet, they are likely to make your lines clog. In
older systems, plant roots too can clog your pipe.
- A filled drainfield.
If too much
water gets into your drainfield within a short time — maybe when a heavy
downpour happens, or your water usage has increased abruptly — your
drainfield may become overloaded.
Unusual Spongy Drains and Algae
Greener grass above the septic may be a sign of leaks from
your system unless you have seeded the area or removed the cover. Noticing this
sign may not be easy since grass is naturally green. Nevertheless, the
wastewater results in an unusual degree of greenness that doesn't match the
tone of other grass in your lawn.
If you live near a water source like a pond or a river,
look for instant algae blooms. Wastewater enhances abnormal algae growth. The
algae proliferation makes the water appear overly contaminated with algae,
unlike normal algae growth.
Rotten Egg Smell
The presence of strong, nasty odors around your lawn and
plumbing appliances may mean that your septic system has failed. The gross
smell may indicate that sewage has crested the tank and risen into your central
drain line.
Other issues that may result in bad smells include:
- Frozen roof vents
- Leakages
- Damaged inspection pipe
caps
- Filled tanks
The failure of the system to remove biological materials
from the wastewater properly may also cause a rotten egg smell.
Slow Drains
If you notice that water slowly leaves one of the drains in
your premises, check whether the issue cuts across other areas. If it is only
one outlet, the case could be with that specific part. However, if the problem
occurs in other drains, the problem probably lies in your septic system.
Failures and concealed issues can make your septic tank
slow to drain wastewater. For example, the pipe that flows into the tank may
have some blockage.
Water Pools or Dampness in the Yard
A failed septic tank does not absorb wastewater
effectively. As a result, wastewater is likely to seep from the ground. After
heavy rain, water may stand on your lawn, and that's perfectly normal. However,
if you find puddles on days of no rain, the water could be from your septic
system.
The root problem could be:
- Pump failure
- Excess water intake
- An undersized tank
- Improper system
elevations
Gurgle Sounds
Gurgle sounds in drains and plumbing appliances may be
signs of failure. In many cases, your system is full or almost full. Another
common cause for the sounds is stuck debris. Ensure you pay attention to odd
sounds like that of a stomach upset or gurgles from your septic system.
Frequent inspection and good maintenance of your septic
tank system ensure you can avoid major issues and prolong its lifetime. If you
need an excellent contractor to inspect, install, or repair your system, look
no further than The Nibbler Company.
We are always prepared to serve your septic system needs.
