When you use the plumbing fixtures inside your home, it’s easy to forget about the journey the wastewater takes once it enters your drainage system. However, if your home is equipped with a septic tank, it’s essential not to take it for granted.

Septic systems are vulnerable to several issues; whose cause isn’t always obvious. Immediate diagnosis and repair of the problems are important to ensure it doesn’t get worse or cause more problems that affect your ability to use your plumbing. If you’re experiencing septic tank problems, first in the list is searching for septic service near me if you want to properly maintain your septic system.

In this article, I will discuss a few common septic tank problems you should be aware of.

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Problem 1: Clogs

A very familiar problem that we encounter with septic tanks are clogs and the backups that occur because of them. A warning sign of a possible clog is if your drains and toilets are slow to and/or you notice sewage backups in your toilets or sinks. If you have not been maintaining your septic tank by getting it pumped every 3 years, then your tank may be full and therefore causing a backup. But if you have been following a regular schedule then the problem could still be a clog, it would just more than likely be a clog in the pipe between the house and the septic tank.

Problem 2: Tree Root Damage

Did you know the root systems of trees and shrubs can grow through the walls of your septic tank and can cause damage and break the pipes leading from your house to the tank? Roots are very resilient and resourceful in their search for moisture and nutrients – both of which are abundant in your plumbing. But despite that, when the roots infiltrate your plumbing, they can stop the flow of water and cause backups.

Problem 3: Flushing the Wrong Things

When you frequently flush things other than human waste, you are courting a plumbing disaster. Non-biodegradable products like toilet papers, diapers, sanitary napkins, will fill up space in the septic tank and will never break down over time, raising the liquid level in the tank higher. Even wet wipes that are marketed as flushable don’t break down properly and will eventually cause issues with your septic tank.

Problem 4: Lack of Maintenance

If you’re going through problems like backed-up toilets or slow drains, one of the first questions to ask yourself is when was the last time you had your septic tank pumped out. Septic tanks are made to collect solid waste gradually. As soon as the tank becomes full, you may begin to have problems with sewage backups in your home. How often you need to get your septic tank pumped depends on a few factors, including how many people live in your house and how much wastewater you generate from activities like doing the laundry, showering, or running your dishwasher.

Problem 5: Harsh Chemicals

A lot of people incorrectly assume that they can use their septic system as a convenient and quick way to dispose of toxic materials like solvents, pesticides paint, motor oil, and brake fluid. However, putting any of these chemical products into the septic system won’t eliminate them; instead, you will be supplying them into the surrounding soil, polluting the groundwater especially the earth. These substances are also harsh enough to kill the bacteria and germs in your tank that work to break down the solid waste.

Problem 6: Damage From Digging

Digging without knowing the location of your sewer lines and septic tank can cause complicated and expensive repairs. If you’re doing a project that involves digging – like building a deck or planting a tree– look for a certified and professional septic service near me before you start to have underground utilities marked.