SEPTIC TANK PROBLEMS AND HOW TO FIX THEM
A lot of people don't think through the process the water tanks when you flush the toilet, take a show, turn on the sink, or run the dishwasher. However, this can be the area that comes up when there is a problem in the septic system. If your property has a septic tank it is important for you to know that everything past the drain is working properly. The septic system process is complicated, more complicated than it appears to someone who doesn't know how it works. If a septic tank has a problem it's a complicated process to figure out where exactly the problem is coming from. If we can figure out where the problem is coming from quickly then we can promptly diagnose the problem and fix it so that it doesn't get any worse. It's important to keep the water systems running in your home and if we have to repair your septic system we have to put your water use on hold until the problem is fixed. We try to make your repairs as quick as possible in order to keep you and your family comfortable with an operating system in your home.
SEPTIC TANK CLOGS
An important question to ask yourself when experiencing septic tank trouble is, "When was the last time we had the septic tank pumped?"
Overtime, your septic tank fills with solid waste. What is known as "grey water" is able to pass through the tank and out the other side into the drain field underground, typically in your yard. Once the tank has filled up with the solid waste is when people usually experience sewage backup in the toilet or your drains have slowed down in your sinks and tubs. How often you pump your septic tank depends on a few different factors. First question is how many people are living in the building the septic tank is working for? The next question is how much water goes down your drain into the tank? Do people using this system take long showers or short ones? How much laundry do you do? How often is the dishwasher used? All of these appliances drain directly into your septic tank so it is important to know how much each one is contributing to get the total volume entering the septic tank.
If in the last year your septic tank was pumped, it's not likely it is full already. You might be experiencing a clog if you are having problems at this point in time. This clog would be located somewhere between the house and the tank. We need to figure out where the clog is located in order to fix it. We try to use a process of elimination to determine this location. If every single drain in the house is draining slowly then the clog is most likely at the point where the pipes are leading away from the house. Typically a 6'' pipe, or 4", or 8" depending upon the size of the house. Clogs can happen due to items being placed in the system that shouldn't be there. This typically occurs when an item is flushed down the toilet. Items like paper towels, condoms, wet wipes, or tampons. If you are experiencing sewage backup into your home or coming to the surface around the septic tank outside, you are most likely having a problem with the outlet baffle or effluent filter. Checking the inlet baffle to the tank is a good idea to check. You can clearly see a clog if it is located here and you can free it up using a pole or pipe just by pushing it through the access port of the septic tank. You typically have to dig down to find it.
SEPTIC TANK TREE ROOT PROBLEMS
Tree roots are a common problem with septic tanks because they are incredibly resilient. Tree roots will wrap around and drill through the items in their way. We have a specific process to fix this problem.
SEPTIC TANK LEAK OR SEPTIC LINE LEAK
Greener grass isn't always better! If you see oddly green grass in your yard it can mean there is a septic leak there. If you treat this problem and maintain it properly, your septic system will continue to work for several decades, but if you don't address it soon it will decrease your system's overall life span.