Septic tanks make onsite wastewater treatment possible for homes in rural and unincorporated areas. If your home lacks municipal sewer service, taking good care of your septic tank is a critical part of protecting your property. Septic tank problems can contaminate local groundwater and soil. They can also send waste rushing into homes. Learn all about the most common septic tank issues and how to avoid them.
Septic Overflows
Septic overflows occur when full or failing tanks cause water to pool in yards. Part of maintaining a healthy septic system is choosing a tank that matches your household’s needs. If you have frequent houseguests or run multiple water-heavy appliances at the same time, liquid waste could flood your drainfield.
Other possible causes of septic overflows include:
- Heavy precipitation
- Irregular or insufficient tank pumping
- Drainfield clogs
- Drainfield failure
- Bacterial imbalances
To limit your risk of septic overflows, avoid washing multiple loads of laundry back-to-back, and don’t use your dishwasher and washing machine simultaneously. Avoid sending harsh chemicals down your drains that might kill off the beneficial organisms necessary for waste processing.
Septic Backups
While septic overflows flood drainfields and yards, septic backups send liquid and solid waste back into household drains and plumbing-connected appliances. Common causes of septic backups include blocked drains and pipes, insufficient tank pumping, tree root intrusion, and built-up grease. To avoid backups, only flush toilet paper and human waste down your toilets. Keep all grease and rendered fats out of your drains, and establish a needs-specific tank maintenance schedule.
Tree and Weed Root Damage
Underground tree and weed roots are highly attracted to septic tanks and the pipes that service them. These invasive growths can enter tanks and pipes via cracks just millimeters wide. Once they do, they’ll benefit from the available moisture and nutrients, and they’ll grow exponentially. This can accelerate septic tank damage and cause blockages, backups, and overflows.
To prevent tree and weed root damage, remove visible weeds from your yard and use an effective herbicide. Never plant trees within 10 to 15 feet of your septic tank or its underground pipes, and avoid tree species with aggressive root systems. For high-risk settings, plumbers may recommend installing tree root barriers as well.
Tank Cracks Due to Soil Shifting
Shifting soils can cause tiny cracks in aging septic tanks. Soil movement can occur as a result of frost heaving, compression, and natural changes in expansive clay soils. Never park a vehicle or place heavy machinery above your septic tank. Schedule a septic tank inspection following sudden soil freezing, heavy rainfall, and visible soil compression or erosion.
Baffle or Dip Pipe Damage
Baffles and dip pipes keep solid waste from entering drainfields. When these components break or develop blockages, drainfields overflow. Baffle and dip pipe damage can also lead to messy whole-house backups. Sidestep these issues with regular tank maintenance and timely tank replacement.
From overflows and backups to cracked and failed components, problems with your septic tank could prove costly. Regular septic pumping and maintenance will help you avoid many of the most common septic issues. For expert septic tank repairs and maintenance service in College Station, TX, contact Mustang Septic today.