Can a Poorly Maintained Septic System Threaten Your Health?

1. Aboveground Gases

A foul odor lingering over your lawn is one of the telltale signs of a backed-up septic tank or clogged leaching field. When maintained at a proper level, solid waste remains safely sequestered at the bottom of the tank. This separation allows liquid effluent to flow through the outlet line and into the leaching field, where it can be filtered through the ground media to remove harmful pathogens.

Regular tank pumping is a must to prevent solid waste from building up within the tank. High levels of solid waste will eventually find their way into the outlet baffle, resulting in clogged drain pipes and contaminated sections of your lawn. At this point, you may begin to detect the odor of sewage due to a backup of effluent or solid waste into the upper layers of the soil.

Unfortunately, sewer gas is not just a harmless annoyance. While you are unlikely to be exposed to highly toxic levels of gas while aboveground, chronic exposure can lead to a variety of symptoms and irritation. If the odor is strong enough that it begins to waft in through your windows or vents, then it is essential to act immediately.

2. Well Water Contamination

Since septic tanks are most common in areas where municipal sewer lines are unavailable, many septic tank owners also rely on wells for drinking water. Modern installations typically require wells to be installed upstream from leaching fields and a safe distance away from septic lines, but this may not be the case for older homes. In some cases, septic systems and wells may be extremely close.

The purpose of the leaching field is to drain away effluent and allow it to filter through the soil safely. As the effluent passes through the drain field medium, it removes harmful pathogens before they can reach the water supply. For this system to work correctly, the effluent must leave the drain pipes only in the appropriate areas.

When your system backs up, effluent may escape closer to the surface or farther back toward the septic tank. If your well is in the wrong position, this can potentially lead to effluent draining through the soil upstream of the well pipe. In a worst-case scenario, a backed-up septic system can contaminate your home's drinking water supply.

3. Wastewater Backup

Wastewater backing up into your home's drains is perhaps the least pleasant and most obvious symptom of a poorly maintained septic system. Although this problem may start as an odor or a slow-running drain, it can quickly progress into blackwater backing up into your home. Not only is this wastewater hazardous, but it can also cause significant damage to your house.

Because of the potential dangers associated with this particular failure mode, it is crucial never to ignore the early warning signs. If you notice foul odors or gurgling from your drains, then it's likely that your septic system is beginning to back up. Acting now can help to ensure that your family doesn't face a disgusting and potentially unhealthy ordeal.

Ultimately, the best way to avoid the health hazards posed by improper septic system maintenance is to keep a regular pumping schedule. AAA Pumping Service Inc. can help you to keep your septic system running flawlessly. Give us a call today to schedule your next septic tank pumping!