3 Sure Fire Signs Your Septic Tank Is In Need Of Service
With your septic tank buried far below the ground, you may think that it is impossible for you to see when something has gone wrong with your septic system. However, while you may not be able to see the damage to your septic tank, you can certainly see the effects of this damage. Learning to spot these warning signs will allow you to seek out septic system services before your system fails.
Sign #1 Your Drain field Is Saturated With Too Much Water
It is quite normal for your septic system to release some water into your drain field in order to make room for more water and solid waste inside your tank. However, the amount of water that is being released should be easily absorbed by the soil. If your septic tank is full or leaking, you will often see evidence of this in how wet the soil in your drain field is. If you walk through this area of your yard, you will often be able to feel that the ground is softer and wetter than in other areas. You may even see puddles forming on the top of the soil once the ground has become fully saturated.
Sign #2: All Of The Drains In Your Home Are Running Slower
While one or two slow drains in your home are likely the result of a clog or other buildup inside your pipes, issues that are widespread will often be the result of issues with your septic system. For instance, when all of the drains in your home are running slowly, this could indicate that your septic tank needs to be pumped or that solid waste has begun blocking the intake pipe which allows new waste to enter your septic system. Both of these issues will require immediate septic system services in order to prevent sewage from backing up into your home.
Sign #3: You Can Smell A Foul Odor Around Your Drain Field
If your septic system has sprung a leak or has begun to fail, it is not only water that will be released into your drain field. The sludge and solid waste inside your septic tank can also leak out into your drain field. When this happens, you are sure to notice the foul odor that is present in this area of your yard. This sewage smell will often become even more noticeable after a soaking rain since the higher groundwater levels will cause the solid waste to rise closer to the ground's surface.
