Three Signs Of Impending Septic Issues
Posted on: 10 April 2018
Are you living in a home on a private septic system for the first time? If so, you may not be aware of some of the signs that the system is having issues. This can be bad news, since failure to address an issue can lead to sewage backups in your home. The following are three signs you need to know to avoid major problems later.
#1: Slow drains and back flow
A slow drain should instantly raise a red flag when you are on a septic system. If sinks or toilets are emptying slowly, or if water seems to sometimes come up the drain slightly before draining away, you may have an overly full or clogged septic tank. Problems with a single drain may only indicate a localized blockage within that drain, the problem is when it is more than one drain behaving badly. Backing up during the early stages of septic issues typically occurs when more than one drain is utilized at the same time. For example, the sink backing up when the dishwasher is running. In the case of toilets, they may not flush well or thoroughly when the drains are moving slowly due to a septic issue.
#2: Smells and gurgles
Your drains should be relatively odor-free and silent. Gurgling noises in the pipes, particularly when accompanied by bad odors, is a trouble sign. If bad odors, particularly those that are reminiscent of rotten eggs or sewage, begin wafting from your drains, chances are you either need to have a blockage removed or your septic tank pumped. These odors are the result of sewer gasses coming back up the drains. In some cases, you may smell the odors outside near the drain field. In this case, you need both a tank and drain field inspection.
#3: Soggy fields
The drain field, sometimes called a leach field, is an important part of your septic system. If you notice standing water or strong sewage odors from the drain field, the tank is overflowing or the field isn't filtering the raw sewage properly. Both can be a major health hazard since standing sewage can leach into ground water. Two common causes of damage to drain fields are tree roots and mechanical damage. Make sure no trees are planted near a drain field, and if someone drives over your field, schedule a prompt inspection so you can fix any damage before major issues occur.
Contact a septic company like LP Murray for more help.
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