For homes that exist off a municipal sewer grid, a septic tank is used to process and dispose of wastewater safely. While a septic system can last for decades, it requires some maintenance to keep it from overfilling or malfunctioning. If neglected long enough, your septic system could suffer a costly breakdown. Watch for the three signs below that indicate that you might need immediate septic attention.

How to Know When a Septic System Is Failing

1. Slow, Smelly, Noisy Drains

In the early stages of septic system failure, you may notice problems with your drains. They may take longer to drain than usual. If you see this problem in multiple drains across your home, they’re probably linked to an overfilled or cracked septic tank. The pipes may also emit a noxious odor that smells like rotten eggs, the result of sewage getting trapped further up the line. Frequent gurgling noises can also be a sign of an impending breakdown, as this indicates water and waste aren’t filtering out as they should.

2. Sewage in Your Lawn

If the septic tank or drain field gets clogged or overfilled, excess wastewater may begin to seep into your lawn. Initially, it can make patches of your grass around the tank and drain field a brighter green. However, if the problem persists, the sewage may begin pooling in low spots in your yard. Not only will this fill your yard with an unpleasant odor, but the bacteria in wastewater can also be a danger to children playing in your yard and animals that live or make their way onto your property.

3. Multiple Clogged Drains

In the late stages of a septic malfunction, various drains throughout your home may become clogged, and sewage may back-up through low-lying drains in toilets and bathtubs. Contact with this sewage can expose you to harmful pathogens, and it can make it challenging to cook, clean dishes, or take a shower.

If you need an experienced septic system team on your side, contact S & S Pumping in Forsyth, MO. For the past 16 years, this contractor has tackled everything from installing grease traps for restaurants and maintaining residential septic systems to adding new septic tanks to existing homes. To learn more about their offerings, visit them online. For a project estimate or emergency septic service, call (417) 546-2390 today.