Signs Your Septic System Is Failing

Your home's septic system is designed to be durable for decades when provided with proper maintenance. However, these systems eventually wear down or become damaged and need replacement.

Before the system breaks down completely, it will give out several warning signs. Here is more information about how your septic system should work and signs that you may have a major repair or complete failure in the near future.

Inner Workings of Your Septic System

Unlike city sewer systems, septic systems are entirely contained on a person's property and not connected to other households or businesses. Most systems use gravity to draw the water down through the system into the tank and drainfield. Septic systems consist of three main components.

Pipes

All the pipes in your home lead to a single pipe that exits to the outside and into your septic tank. This exit pipe is fairly small, usually around three or four inches in diameter, and can be made of a variety of materials, including PVC.

Tank

The septic tank is located some distance from the house and its main job is to hold the sewage long enough for the solids to settle to the bottom and grease and oils to float to the top. A screen filters out any grease and large solids before the remaining liquid flows into the drainfield.

Drainfield

The drainfield is a series of trenched perforated pipes and tiles on top of gravel and soil that allows the remaining liquid and bacteria to be naturally treated by microbes before entering the ground water system. You may also have a reserve drainfield to further filter out the sewage or act as a backup for heavy use or storm flooding.

Common Signs of Septic System Failure

If you don't maintain your septic system or if your septic system has reached the end of its life, then you may experience some of these problems.

Strange Smells

Strange smells are a sign that your septic tank is backing up and not draining into the field properly. Sometimes, the cause is a blockage or buildup of grease in the system. Pumping is a normal part of septic tank maintenance and usually takes care of this problem. However, if you need to do this more often than usual for your household size, then this could mean that you need a new system.

Sewage Backup

Sewage backup into your home's sinks, toilets, and bathtubs that doesn't drain at all is a serious problem and a sign that your septic system has failed. Tree roots and grease can contribute to sewage backups, and these can be cleaned out, but if the damage is severe, then you will need to have parts replaced.

Flooded Drainfield

Flooding in the drainfield isn't entirely unusual if your area has gotten a lot of rain or melting ice. However, if you consistently see a pool of water over your drainfield area, then this is a serious sign that your septic system is not working. Not only that, you may be contaminating your own ground water.

Bright Green Grass

Normally, bright green grass is nothing to be concerned about, but if you notice a healthy crop of it above your drainfield, then that could be a sign of a failing system. This grass will appear brighter and thicker than the rest of the grass in your yard. This is because when the system backs up, leaks, and can't dispose of the sewage properly, the effluent acts as fertilizer.

Before you conclude that your septic system has totally broken down, have an expert check it out first. In some cases, you may only need to replace part of your system such as a pipe or pump.

However, if you need a major septic system overhaul, then JT Sanitation can help you through all the stages of septic tank removal and replacement. Call us today for a free quote and we will check out your system for you.