If your home is far from the municipal sewer system, you can effectively treat the wastewater from your home by installing a septic tank. To avoid instances where the tank experiences structural problems, consider using the help of a knowledgeable engineer. An engineered septic system design may be necessary if you live in an area with poor soil or where regulations require a certified engineer to install a septic tank. Professional installation will help prevent the environmental and health issues of poorly constructed septic tanks.
Even with proper installation, you will have to deal with emergency septic tank problems at some point. So, it’s common for new septic tank owners to wonder: “Can a septic tank overflow even with proper maintenance?” The answer to this question is that it’s less likely to happen. Keep in mind that it’s advisable to call septic pump-out professionals for pump-out every three to five years. But depending on the frequency of use, the duration of pump out may be even earlier.
In such instances, you will notice warning signs of an impending problem. If you’re using metal septic tanks, foul odors and lush vegetation around the leach field and septic tank are vital things to watch out for. Your tank could also be failing if you can hear gurgling sounds from the plumbing system, or you see wastewater backing up in your home.
Many homeowners are not aware that septic tank pumping services should be hired at least every three years. There are a lot of problems that can be avoided by caring for your septic system. There are benefits of a septic tank that you do not get from being on municipal sewer systems. For example, once they are installed they are free to use, other than periodic maintenance in the form of pumping services.
Yes, there are benefits of septic tank systems that you cannot get when you tie in with a municipal sewer system. There are also unfortunately some common problems that people run into with their septic system because they are not doing what is best for their septic tank. For example, taking some of the load off your septic system by having the best drain field system in place can extend the life of your septic system by years.
There are some common septic tank problems that you can avoid by understanding what causes the problems and the steps you can take to avoid them. Learn more about some of the common septic problems, what causes them, and what you can do to prevent them.
When you have a septic system that your home is connected to, you will rarely have to take care of septic tank maintenance as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. These alternative waste systems can work well indefinitely if you take care in how you use them. Alternative wastewater systems need to never have anything solid flushed down into them in order to prevent clogs in the system.
Alternatives to sewer systems can be highly effective for many years as long as they don’t get clogged. If this happens, you will need to have a septic company come out and pump out the contents of the septic tank. When you use alternatives to traditional septic systems, you can also use an enzymatic cleaner in the system every once in a while to keep it clearer inside the tank.
Getting your septic system pumped out can be expensive, so it’s a better idea to take care of the tank so you never have to do that. Using a septic system can be less expensive than having your home connected to a city sewer system. You won’t have to pay a monthly fee for using it like you would with municipal sewer usage.
To get rid of waste, homes utilize wastewater systems. Research from the EPA found that there are over 4 billion gallons of wastewater dispersed below the surface of the ground each day. Considering that, septic tanks are responsible for a large amount of wastewater disposal. One study found that almost 25% of homes throughout the United States depend on a septic tank to dispose of wastewater. Therefore, it’s wise to learn what can cause these tanks to stop working properly. By learning about these problems, you’ll understand how to avoid them. Here are four common types of septic tank problems.
- Overloading Your Septic Tank
Most septic systems are often able to hold about two days of wastewater. With that in mind, you can encounter problems if you’re using too much water. When this happens, your tank doesn’t have enough time to break down wastewater. In turn, this can cause solid matter to rise above safe levels in your tank. After this happens, waste might begin to block your tank’s tubes. This can mean dealing with water backing up into your home, which is something no one wants to deal with.
- Flushing Items Instead of Throwing Them Away
Most people understandably feel that what they do in the bathroom is a private matter. However, it’s important to ensure you’re only flushing septic-safe toilet paper down your toilet. This means avoiding flushing tampons, paper towels, diapers, and similar sanitary items. After flushing these items, you’re placing more strain on your home’s septic tank. This is because septic tanks are unable to break these types of items down.
- Using Harsh Detergents
Not all types of septic tank problems involve what you’re flushing down your toilet. Considering that, you might not know that your detergent affects your septic tank. Many detergents contain a wide range of harsh chemicals. While this is great for keeping clothes clean, it can wreak havoc on your home’s septic system. To avoid this problem, consider purchasing detergents that don’t contain harsh cleaning agents. This helps ensure your clothes remain clean without putting additional strain on your pipes.
- Not Having Your Tank Inspected
Since septic tanks are often underneath the ground, it’s difficult to understand when these items are being problematic. Considering that, it might be time to schedule a septic tank inspection. In turn, a professional will inspect your septic system. This helps you avoid dealing with emergency repairs in the future. Also, spotting and fixing small septic tank problems before they spiral out of control is a great way to save money.
In closing, there are several common types of septic tank problems. If you’re noticing that water is draining slower than normal, this is often a sign you’re dealing with a septic tank problem. You might also notice odd gurgling noises taking place throughout your home. For help with these and other related issues, contact a septic tank repair service right away.
