Septic System Warning Signs and Maintenance Tips

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Septic System Warning Signs and Maintenance Tips

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Septic systems are used to dispose of waste generated in the household and for safety treatment. Septic systems are located beneath the ground and are a valuable utility that helps eliminate wastewater pollutants threatening human health and the environment. Poor septic maintenance can lead to system failure, which can be expensive to replace or repair. This is another main reason why you must maintain the septic tank system. 

The septic malfunction may be due to poor maintenance or inappropriate design. Regular septic system maintenance, such as pumping the septic system, must be done at least every three to five years. Failure to perform routine maintenance can cause the solids in the tank to migrate into the drain field and clog the system.

How Does a Septic Tank System Work?

The more you understand the septic system at a deeper level, the better you will be able to maintain them. So how does a septic tank system work? All the waste from the household travels through the pipe into the septic tank and gets collected. Millions of microorganisms in the septic tank perform all the important functions of breaking down the waste.

Consequently, solids will settle to the bottom of these tanks and will form sludge, whereas fats, grease, and oil from the scum layer on the top. The middle layer consists of liquid effluent, which is discharged into the drain field to be further treated by the soil.

In the ideal world, septic systems should function smoothly. However, due to poor septic tank maintenance, different components get affected, leading to the system’s failure, which can cause several problems like sludge accumulation, bad odor, wastewater back issues, etc.

What Are the Warning Signs?

Even if the septic system has friendly ways to recycle household wastewater, it still runs into problems like all other systems. A damaged septic system can lead to groundwater contamination and sewage ponding in the yard. 

As a homeowner, it is crucial to understand the main cause and symptoms of a septic system failure. 

  • Unexplained slow drains
  • A sewage backup into the home
  • Spongy or wet spots in the yard
  • The grass is unusually green over the septic system.
  • Foul odor near the system  
  • Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system. 
  • Straight pipe releasing untreated wastewater to the ground level
  • Algae bloom in the nearby lakes or water bodies. 
  • High coliform bacteria or nitrates levels in the surface waters or drinking water wells. 

Read More: 7 Signs You’ll Require an Emergency Septic Service?

Septic System Maintenance Tips

 

Make the property more water efficient

If you are constantly overloading the system with too much water, you may put excessive strain on the tank, which can cause it to become weakened, blocked or damaged. 

By making the appliances more water efficient, you may reduce the workload of the septic tank. Thus it extends its lifespan. 

You can make the property more efficient in its water use in many ways; whether fixing the leaking toilet, only using the washing machine or dishwasher or for a full load or installing an energy-efficient shower or toilet heads, a few small changes can make big differences. 

Have your tank pumped

Regular septic tank maintenance is part of the routine. To keep it working optimally, septic tank services are required. It is usually said that the tank will only need to be pumped every 3-5 years, depending on how much use that gets. 

However, since that is unlikely that the tank will fill up so quickly, we recommend you check in with the specialist for the annual septic tank pumping. 

Protect the drain field

The drain field is as important as the tank itself, and damage can occur here, negatively affecting how the septic tank deals with the waste.

Ensure you never park or drive on the drain field and avoid placing the plants or trees in such areas. 

Frequent inspections and septic maintenance

Ensure the septic tank system is functioning properly by conducting frequent inspections. This also helps in finding the problems before it is too late. Strictly follow the Septic tank maintenance schedules. Instead of mechanical maintenance, which can be expensive, you can easily use biological solutions like septic tank cleaners to maintain the septic system’s performance. 

Prevent chemical poisoning

Various chemical cleaning products like toilet bowls and floor cleaners are often used in households. Other materials like coatings, strippers, and polishes can eliminate the beneficial organisms from the septic tank. Apart from that, this can significantly impact the system’s ability to treat waste. Thus you must avoid poisoning the septic system with chemicals.

 Conclusion

The Septic tank system has a major role in the entire sinking system of the property. So you need to take care of it, and regular maintenance is necessary. Crews Environmental is here to help you with septic system service. You can contact us directly or fix an appointment with our experts.