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4 Signs of Septic Tank Failure

Mar 01, 2022

A damaged septic tank can cause unpleasant odors and risk your employees' health. Get professional inspection and repair services if you suspect your system is faulty. This step will help prevent substantial damage to the facility and your business premises.

Read on to learn four prevalent signs of septic tank failure, their causes, and the precautions you should take to protect your property.

1. System Backup

Your septic tank system connects to most plumbing appliances and drains. Once the system suffers damage or the tank fills up, the system can no longer process wastewater. This issue will cause the tank to push waste material into your property.

Your toilets are one of the areas you are likely to notice backed-up sewage. However, this issue can also affect your drains and sinks based on their architecture.

Contact a specialist once you notice the signs of a septic tank backup. Further, reduce water usage and, if possible, use alternative facilities until you get the repair services. When the experts arrive, they will inspect the septic tank to determine the cause of the problem then fix it.

2. Slow Drainage

Another sign of septic tank failure is slow drainage. This issue may result from clogged pipes that inhibit proper water flow. It may also occur when your septic tank is full of sludge that requires removal.

Water will pool around bathroom drains when your sewer facility has slow drainage. You may also notice dirt accumulation in your sink, especially around the edges.

Unclog drains with a plunger and observe the water flow for a day or two. If the speed doesn't improve, your septic tank may be full or damaged and require an inspection from a septic professional.

3. Dampness

Septic tank systems contain bacteria that break down waste and reduce its volume. If your system has an issue, it will not process sewage properly and will fill up quickly. The wastewater may also seep into the soil beneath or flow over the septic tank cover.

Inspect the area around your septic tank for stagnant water and dampness. Furthermore, compare the grass around the tank with the rest of your lawn for signs of overfertilization. If you notice such issues, contact septic tank specialists immediately.

These experts will check your system for signs of damage and recommend the needed repairs. They will also empty the tank to eliminate harmful substances that affect bacterial activity.

4. Foul Odor

A damaged or dysfunctional septic tank will not break down sewage properly. As a result, the wastewater may produce a foul odor, especially in warm weather. Inspect toilets and sinks when you notice a pungent smell in your building. If the odor persists after you clean these areas, hire a professional to pump your septic tank.

However, if the experts determine your tank isn't full, they will not pump it but rather inspect to identify why it produces a foul smell. They may then add some substances to restore the proper PH and speed up waste breakdown.

Common Causes of Septic Tank Failure

One reason septic tanks fail is high water usage. If the rate you discharge water is higher than the speed your facility processes it, a biomaterial layer will form at the top and slow down decomposition.

Septic tanks may clog when you throw non-degradable materials like diapers and wipes into the system. Blockage may also result from food scraps that raise nitrogen and phosphorus levels and encourage algae growth.

Other prevalent causes of septic tank failure are poor maintenance and improper installation or construction.

A damaged septic tank can compromise safety and comfort. At AAA Pumping Service, we can inspect your sewage facility to determine if you need to empty it. Our experts will then remove the waste and repair any damages they identify. Contact us today for reliable septic tank inspections and pumping.

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