Homeowners in rural areas often rely on a septic tank as an alternative to municipal sewers. This waste management system can last for decades, but with enough use, it will start to show signs of wear over time. If you don’t recognize the signs of tank failure, you could risk contaminating your water supply and creating puddles of odorous sewage in your yard. How do you know when you need a new septic system? Here’s a closer look at what to keep an eye out for.

What Are the Signs of Septic System Failure?

Problems in the Lawn

Sometimes the grass is greener on your side of the fence—but that might be due to leaking sewage. The nutrients in wastewater can cause your lawn to flourish if the septic tank is too full and leaking.

While you might not mind the lush grass, the sewage could also contaminate groundwater as well as indicating septic problems, so it shouldn’t be ignored. If you notice patches of vibrant green near the tank, call a septic system expert.

In more advanced states of damage, you may see puddles of sewage in the yard or smell a rotten odor outdoors.

Drain Pains

Having a drain back up is a commonplace occurrence, and it usually doesn’t take much more than some drain cleaning chemicals or a plumbing snake to resolve.

However, if all of your drains are backed up simultaneously, that means the septic tank is full or clogged, and the wastewater doesn’t have anywhere to go. If the problem gets worse, sewage may backflow out of your toilet, bathtub, and other low drains.

In the early stages of septic system failure, you may notice the drains move slowly, and a sulfur odor may hang around drain openings. If it hasn’t been long since your last septic pumping service, these symptoms may be pointing to a more wide-ranging failure.

 

Acting quickly is important to replace your septic system before pathogens in the sewage make your family, neighbors, or animals sick. Homeowners in Indian Trail, NC, rely on Septic Pumping Service for tank cleaning, septic tank replacement, and repairs. Their licensed team of technicians has served the area for the past two decades—to learn more about their expertise, visit them online or call (704) 821-8001 to schedule septic service.