Septic System Common Problems

One of the most common problems that happen in homes with septic systems is that homeowners don’t know how to properly care for their septic system. This results in many problems that can be prevented or fixed before they become major issues. Some common problems are:

• Sewage Overflow  – When a system gets too full, sewage will overflow out onto the ground. It’s important to have your tank pumped every two years so it doesn’t get filled up with raw sewage and overflow.
• Tank Blockage – Many items can easily settle in the bottom of a tank and cause a blockage. Hair, toilet paper, soap bars, and diapers can all cause a blockage if not removed from time to time during a regular cleaning of the tank.
• Grease and Fats – Grease and fats (and oils) solidify when they cool and can cause a drain line blockage if not properly disposed of. It’s important to let grease cool in the pan, throw away paper towels used to sop up fat when cooking, and not dump oil down the sink when changing motor oil or other fluids.
• Laundry Detergent – Too much laundry soap in a septic system can cause problems such as overloading good bacteria in the biological stage of septic tanks or causing an imbalance in water PH levels that damages drainage fields in seepage pits.
• Septic Pumping – Any tank needs to be pumped out every two years to prevent solids from building up and causing a blockage. If you notice your toilets not flushing correctly or if the water level in your tank is dropping rapidly, call a pump truck company right away to get it fixed before it’s too late.

There are many other common problems throughout the country that septic system owners face, but these are some of the most common and preventable ones that homeowners can fix themselves if they know-how. If you need septic system help today give us a call at New England Septic Pros today.