Septic failure can be something close to a nightmare. Imagine sewage strewn about your bathroom, kitchen, and other rooms. It’s something you want to avoid at all costs.
For this reason, you need to keep an eye out for signs of septic system failure. This way, should they set in, you’ll be able to take action before the big incident occurs.
Wondering what signs to look out for? Here are 7 signs that you are experiencing a septic system failure.
1. There Are Bad Odors Coming from Your Plumbing Fixtures
One of the surest signs that your septic system is about to fail is that there are bad odors coming from your plumbing fixtures. These odors are emitting either because the tank is too full or because there’s a broken seal somewhere on one of your plumbing fixtures.
The base of the toilet is often the culprit for this problem. However, drains and other entities can allow it to occur as well.
In the worst of cases, it’s due to a leak in the septic tank itself. A leak will allow raw sewage to escape into your soil, producing an overwhelming odor around the spot where your septic tank is buried.
Regardless, this is a problem that you need to nip in the bud. Bring in a plumber as soon as possible so as to prevent a sewage backup from occurring.
2. Water Is Backing Up Into Your Appliances
Maybe water is pooling in your sink after you’ve used it? Perhaps it’s pouring back into your washing machine or dishwasher? In any case, if water is backing up into your appliances, you’ve got a big problem on your hands.
This is happening due to a clog somewhere in your septic system. The new water has nowhere to go, and so is going back to where it came from. Unfortunately, it might be taking sewage along with it.
If this is happening, you have to act fast. It won’t be long before you have puddles of sewage sitting on your bathroom or kitchen floor.
Call up a plumber or septic inspection company. Whether you’re dealing with pipe issues, a clog, or otherwise, they’ll get to the bottom of it.
3. Your Pipes Are Gurgling
Another sign you’re going to want to look out for is gurgling pipes. These could come from your sink, your toilet, your bathtub, or anywhere else. They’re a sign that your septic tank is either clogged or full and that it could overflow at any time.
You don’t want to risk it at this point. You need to bring in a septic inspection company as soon as possible.
Odds are, the tank needs to be pumped and cleaned. However, there’s also a chance that there’s something damaged within the system itself. Your inspector will get to the bottom of the problem, thus allowing you to take the necessary action to fix it.
4. Water Is Pooling Around Your Septic Tank
Is there standing water in the area where your septic tank is buried? If so, you can bet fairly accurately that your septic tank is to blame.
There are a number of reasons as to why this might be happening.
For one, there could be a leak in your septic tank itself. For two, there could be damage to another part of your system. For three, if there was heavy rain recently, your septic system might just be having trouble taking it all on at once.
The former two reasons call for the services of a plumber. A repair or replacement will need to be made. The latter reason is natural and should go away within a few days of waiting.
5. Your Drains are Draining Slowly
When water goes down your drains, it should be going down them at a strong, steady pace. If it’s instead pooling and going down them slowly, there is likely a clog in your septic system. Make note, however, that the system could also just be too full.
In either case, you’ll want to make a call to your local plumber or septic inspector. Once they find the source of the issue, you’ll be able to attack it with full force, relieving your ailing sewage system.
6. Your Grass Is Abnormally Green in One Area
Septic tanks are full of sewage. Sewage is, in essence, fertilizer. As such, if a septic tank starts to leak, the grass around it will almost inevitably grow greener.
For this reason, you should regularly inspect the area above your septic tank. Is the grass abnormally green compared to the rest of the grass throughout your yard? If so, you could be dealing with a failing system.
Call up your local plumber or septic inspector so that you can find the source of the problem.
7. You’ve Been Putting Non-biodegradable Items Down Your Toilet or Sink
The last sign that your sewage system needs attention is that you’ve been putting non-biodegradable items down it. Septic tanks are not designed to handle these items and will become clogged by them if they face them on a regular basis.
These items run the gamut from tampons to condoms to paper towels to wipes to floss to bandages and more. Though flushing one of these items once isn’t going to make much of a difference, flushing them consistently will almost certainly lead to clogs and piping problems.
Septic System Failure Can Be a Disaster
Septic system failure can turn into a disaster. So, to avert disaster and keep your home and property clean, you need to look out for the signs discussed above.
When you identify these signs, bring in a local plumber for an inspection. Your plumber will facilitate a repair or a replacement, getting your septic system back to normal again.
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