Maintaining And Repairing Septic Systems

Learning to manage a home septic system can be a difficult job for those who are new to home ownership or those that have not previously dealt with maintaining a home septic system. If the septic system is functioning properly, little maintenance may be required, and the homeowner may only need to do an occasional visual inspections to ensure that it is continuing to work as it should.

However, if the septic system is not functioning properly or is not being used correctly, it may require more attention from the homeowner, including frequent pump outs to help improve septic tank function and prevent sewage backups. If you are a homeowner who is new to septic tank maintenance and wondering how to determine when a pump out is needed, the following information will help you learn the signs. 

The development of water well quality issues

A septic tank and drain field that have become overloaded and are no longer able to properly process waste water and solids may be leaking raw sewage into the soil. If the home is equipped with a water well, the sewage may show up on water tests as elevated nitrate levels. 

The development of areas of marshy, wet soil 

If areas of the lawn over or near the septic tank suddenly seem wet or marshy, even when there has been no recent rain fall, homeowners should immediately suspect that their septic tank may be reaching the full point, forcing raw sewage to soak into the surrounding soil.

The development of unpleasant odors or noises 

A healthy septic system that is functioning well works quietly and emits no unpleasant odors. Homeowners who suddenly notice gurgling noises when flushing toilets or showering or the presence of unpleasant odors in the home or outside near the septic system should suspect that their septic tank needs to be pumped as soon as possible to restore efficiency. 

The development of slow drain issues

Drains that cease to empty quickly or toilets that suddenly require multiple flushes are important signs that sewage may be backing up in the system. If ignored, slow drain issues can soon be followed by backups capable of forcing raw sewage back into the home instead of allowing it to drain properly into the septic tank for processing. 

To learn more about recognizing the signs that your septic tank requires a septic pump out, or to set up a regular schedule of pumping that will help you avoid septic tank failure, homeowners should speak with a reputable septic tank pumping service in your area.