The Most Common Septic Tank Problems

If your home has a septic system instead of the regular sewage system, there are several habits you must change as a family so as to keep the drains flowing as they should. It is important to understand the most common septic tank problems in order to manage troubleshooting issues and avoiding them altogether.  

Drains Back Ups: The septic system is so sensitive it will not tolerate some materials going through the pipes. Your drains could backup into the house as a result of oil and grease going down the drain and hardening at the tank’s inlet pipes. If oil and grease make their way into your septic tank regularly, don’t wait for too long to do septic tank pumping; it will lead to the scum and sludge layers getting too close to the pipes, blocking them and eventually leading to backups.
    
Foul Odors: One of the biggest problems that homeowners using septic systems have to endure are foul odors emanating from the plumbing or close to the drain field. There are several reasons why this could occur but in most cases a filled up septic tank. Septic tank pumping can eliminate odors inmost occasions. However, when odors come from the drain field is an indication of serious trouble. It usually means there is a solid waste or sludge buildup in the tank and it is flowing into the drain field. The drain field is designed to filter only liquid waste but once sludge comes into it the pores become clogged and the smell is the result.
 
Solid Waste Build-Up: Septic tanks are designed to hold a layer of sludge at the bottom but when it becomes excessive it creates problems in the entire system. Too much solid waste can be as a result a weak garbage disposal that isn’t able to break food particles into tiny dissolvable pieces. Failure to use garbage disposal can increase the sludge level by up to 50%. The septic system is designed to take in human waste and toilet paper. However, other things such as feminine towels, dental floss, cigarette butts and cotton swabs can potentially clog the pipes.

These tips should give you a fair idea on common septic tank problems, find a good septic contractor to get rid off septic problems.