Troubles With Your Septic? 3 Problems To Watch Out For

Posted on: 7 June 2017

If you've got a septic tank, you can never put your guard down. There are plenty of things that can go wrong, especially if you don't pay attention to the warning signs. Your septic system has a way – or multiple ways – to let you know that a big problem is just around the corner. These warning signs will give you the opportunity to call for maintenance before you're faced with a complete system failure. Here are three warning signs you should watch out for.

Your Yard is Sinking

Your seepage pit is one of the most important parts of your septic system. The seepage pit is responsible for collecting all the excess water from your septic system. Once the water is in the seepage pit, it will be absorbed into the soil. Unfortunately, without proper care, your seepage pit can fail. When it does, you'll need to replace the entire system. Luckily, it will warn you when it has a problem. To catch seepage pit problems, inspect your yard carefully. If you see small sink holes developing, or notice that the soil over your septic system is sinking, your seepage pit may be failing. It's time to call the septic company.

Your Toilets Are Continually Overflowing

If your toilets have suddenly started overflowing on a regular basis, you could be looking at a septic problem. This is particularly true if all the toilets in your home are overflowing. Try flushing all the toilets simultaneously. If the water from the toilets back up into the bathtubs, or the all start to overflow, you've got a septic issue that will need to be addressed as soon as possible. When you test the toilets, be sure to have access to the shut-off valve, which is located on the wall behind each toilet. This will allow you to shut the water off before you're faced with flooded bathrooms.

Your Inspection Drains Are Filled with Waste

If you're having trouble with your septic, you should look inside the inspection drains. Those are the drains that are located outside, around the perimeter of your home. To look inside those drains, simply remove the screw-on caps, and look inside. If you can see waste inside those drains, you've got a problem. Those drains should be clean. If you've installed a riser on your septic system, which is the pipe that extends from above the septic tank to make clean-out easier, you should take the cap off and inspect that, as well. If you can see raw sewage coming up through that, you'll need to have your septic serviced as soon as possible, such as by Pete's Outflow Technicians.

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