It’s easy to spot many overflow problems in our lives; an overfilled trash can here, a closet about to burst with stuff there. However, there are some issues that are more difficult to spot until it’s too late. If you have a septic tank, then you know exactly what we’re talking about.
How can you handle an overflowing septic tank before it’s too late?
If you want to keep your home and property safe from a septic tank disaster, you’re in luck. Here are some common signs of a septic tank emergency and what you can do about it.
How to Handle an Overflowing Septic Tank
The best thing you can do if you discover that your septic tank has overflowed, or if you suspect it might, is to stop using any plumbing fixtures in your home. Any faucets or toilets you use in the meantime could cause worse damage to your already endangered septic tank. Try to avoid using any sinks, toilets, showers, or other plumbing fixtures indoors.
Once you’ve cleared that up with your household, contact an emergency plumber immediately. You can’t handle a septic emergency without one. As soon as you spot the signs of a septic tank overflow, you need to get someone out there to solve the issue.
Signs of a Septic Tank Emergency
While there isn’t much you can do once a septic tank emergency starts, you can watch out for the common signs of an overflowing septic tank. Here’s what you need to keep an eye out for.
Slow Draining Sinks
Typically, your first sign that something is wrong will be with how water flows in your home. You may notice that your shower keeps backing up, or that your toilet is having a difficult time flushing. These are signs that your septic system is struggling.
Your septic system may have gotten so full that the excess water has nowhere to go. This can account for why your sinks, toilets, and showers seem to be draining slower than usual. Keep an eye out for more than one drain struggling to drain water.
Of course, slow draining sinks and tubs are not only caused by issues with the septic tank. Clogs or damaged pipes are just as likely causes. If one sink or drain is suffering, don’t jump to any hasty conclusions too quickly; instead, see if any other drains are running slower than usual first.
Increased Plant Growth
We all know that manure causes plant life to flourish; the excess nutrients the manure gives to the soil allow plants to feed more freely. If you notice one patch of land on your property has grown more green than the rest, you may have a leak in your septic tank. The grass and plant life near the leak may be feeding off of the sewage within the tank.
Make sure you know exactly where your pipes and septic tank are beneath your lawn. Should you notice any abnormal plant growth in the area, you may want to consider getting an emergency plumber out to check the pipes and septic tank.
Standing Water
If you notice puddles or wet patches on your lawn without a storm in sight, your septic tank may be in trouble. A burst septic tank or pipes that lead to it releases water onto your property. Should you see standing water pooling around your lawn, you may want to call a plumber.
Strange Smells
When your septic tank bursts, you can expect the foul scents of sewage to come with the water. They may be subtle, but if you are careful and search hard enough, you may be able to detect the faint odors of sewage around your property.
The moment you notice any typical bathroom odors, you should call a specialist for help. Even the most subtle stench could be a sign of a deeper issue brewing beneath your lawn.
Steps to Avoid Septic Tank Overflow
There are steps that you can take to prevent septic tank emergencies. Here are just a few tips to help you keep your septic system secure.
Go Light with Chemicals
Septic tanks are filled with useful bacteria that can break down the waste inside of them. However, heavy chemicals can kill off these microbes; without them, your septic tank may become damaged.
The best thing you can do is to avoid using harmful chemicals in any plumbing fixtures. That way, the microorganisms within your septic tank can continue doing their jobs!
Winter is Coming
Winter-proofing your entire plumbing system is crucial if you want to last through the colder months. That means protecting your septic tank against the cold, too!
Take the steps necessary to keep your pipes and septic tank warm over the winter. That means making sure it’s buried deep enough with proper insulation to keep everything from freezing over!
Maintenance and Cleaning
Of course, you should have regular maintenance and cleaning rituals to protect the longevity of your septic tank. Having a septic tank specialist come by for routine inspections and cleanings is crucial if you want to keep everything secure. The average household should have someone visit and inspect their septic system every three to five years at minimum to keep everything running smoothly!
Keep Your Septic System in Check
Now that you know the signs of an overflowing septic tank, you can start taking measures to protect your household from a plumbing disaster. Remember, anytime something seems wrong with your septic tank, you should contact a septic system specialist for help diagnosing and resolving the issue.
Are you searching for a septic tank inspector or specialist to come to take a look at your septic system?
We’re here to help. Contact us with any questions or concerns you have regarding our septic tank services and continue reading our blog for more helpful tips today!
