A well-designed septic system should last you for decades, so long as you use it properly and keep up with your regular septic system maintenance. But how can you tell if there is a problem you need to repair before you run the risk of experiencing septic system failure in Prior Lake, MN? After all, most of the components of the septic system are underground, so it’s not as though you can easily perform a visual inspection to find out what’s going on.
Here are just a few signs that you are having problems with your septic system and should get a professional out to your property to take a look as soon as possible.
Backups
If you have water (or even worse, sewage) backing up into your home, this can cause some massive, expensive damage to your property and quickly become a major health risk. There are a couple primary reasons why this can happen.
It might be that your septic tank or drain field are simply too full. The drain field might be overloaded with water due to heavy rains, or due to your using much more water than usual. The tank might also be overloaded with solids and need to be pumped. In either circumstance, you need to get a septic service technician out as soon as possible to resolve the issue.
You might also have a blocked pipe somewhere in the system. It could be a result of something going down the drain that shouldn’t have. Make sure everyone in your home knows what can and cannot go down drains to avoid this issue.
Trees or shrubs over the system
If you have trees or shrubs growing in the vicinity of the system, you should be aware that their root systems could interfere with the drain field, or with some of the septic pipes themselves. Tree roots will spread out to find nourishment, and in doing so could crack your septic pipes, which will allow dirt and debris to enter. They might also crush or collapse the pipes entirely.
Bad smells
If you smell sulfur or rotten eggs, this could be a sign of a failing septic system. However, it’s important to note there are plenty of other potential reasons why you might smell sewer gases, including a bad wax seal on a toilet, or a dry trap in a floor drain (which usually is filled with water to keep out sewer gases). Check exposed fixtures first, and then perform a smoke test to find any potential leaks.
Slow draining
If you have slow drains, there’s likely a blockage in the pipe that flows into the septic. Never use a chemical drain cleaner to clear this blockage—the chemicals in these solutions can destroy the bacteria in the septic system that break down the waste. Instead, you should use a natural product that has enzymes and bacteria to eat away at the gunk that’s accumulated inside your pipes.
For more information about proper maintenance of septic systems in Prior Lake, MN, contact Mike’s Septic & McKinley Sewer Services today.