Sights and Smells of a Septic Problem

Your septic system can seem to work without any problems for years and even when there is an issue, you may not be aware of it right away. Since your sewer lines, septic tank, d-box and drain field are all underground, it can be difficult to know if something is wrong. However, if something is not right, it will eventually come to the surface. In most cases, it will be something you see or smell that alerts you to a problem.

Visible Septic Issues

The most common issues that you can see when you have a septic problem are changes in the ground above the septic components. If there is a leak in your tank, pipes or d-box, you may notice an area that is eroding. Sinking dirt in one area near any septic component should be a cause for alarm. If it is a big leak, the ground may be wet.

Another visible sign of issues is in your drain field. Keep an eye on the grass and vegetation in this area. If it begins to become more vibrant than other areas of your lawn or there appears to be a layer of water or algae, your drain field may be failing. This can create a biomat that blocks absorption of the waste water into the ground.

Bad Septic Odors

If your septic system is working correctly, you should never smell sewage. If you notice bad odors in your yard or by the drain field, you may have an overflowing tank or other septic issue. The same is true in your home – bad odors coming up from your drains can be a sign of a sewer line clog or other issues.

If you see or smell anything amiss near your septic system, call your local professional right away for a septic tank inspection. The sooner you catch the problem, the better chance you have at a repair versus a complete replacement.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Can You Save Money by DIY Septic Repairs?

Are you it a do-it-yourself homeowner? You mow your own lawn, you fix minor plumbing issues and repair many items around the house, saving a significant amount of money on home maintenance. However, when it comes to your septic system, you may want to leave repairs to the professionals. While you may be able to do some maintenance yourself, when you have a septic problem, it is worth the investment to hire a professional. Here are a few reasons why it is not cost-effective or safe to attempt DIY septic repairs.

Specialized Equipment

Septic tanks and drain fields need specialized equipment. You need may need to dig to remove pipes, or tools to access the tank. Often this equipment is not something a homeowner may own; it could need to be rented. The cost of renting equipment, plus the value of your time, can be more expensive than hiring a professional.

Safety Concerns

No one should open a septic tank without the proper gear and training. The gases in a septic tank are toxic and can be deadly. There is also concerns about injury when working near the septic tank; slips and falls can cause serious injuries.

Causing Harm to Your Septic

The biggest monetary risk with DIY septic repairs is doing more harm than good. A wrong move and you could do irreputable damage to your septic system. A failed septic can cost thousands of dollars to replace, which is why it is best to trust repairs to a professional.

Protect your investment in your home and leave septic repairs to trained professionals. In the long run, you can save money and protect your health by choosing to avoid DIY septic repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

5 Common Reasons for Septic Failure

Septic failure is not an occurrence that any homeowner wants to have happen, but eventually most septic systems do fail. They can last for decades when properly maintained, but there are circumstances that can make a septic failure occur quicker than expected. If you know the main causes of septic failure, you can often prevent premature failure with your system. Here are five common reasons septic systems fail.

  1. Non-biodegradable items. Flushing items that are non-biodegradable is one of the top reasons for failure. Avoid putting plastic, cotton, rubber and other items down your drains, i.e. feminine hygiene products, cotton balls/swabs, “flushable” wipes, birth control items.
  2. Chemicals like paint, oil, solvents and strong cleaners can ruin the bacterial balance in your septic tanks, causing a septic back up.
  3. Drain field damage. If vehicles or other machinery are driven over drain fields, it can damage the pipes and cause a septic backup.
  4. Excessive water use. Putting more water into your septic system than it is designed to handle can cause failure. Using water conservation techniques and water-efficiency fixtures can help reduce water waste.
  5. Foregoing maintenance. The biggest impact on your septic system that can cause failure is not maintaining the tank, drain field and equipment. Regular inspections, pumping and replacement of components as needed can help extend the life of your septic system by many years.

What you put down your drains has a big impact on the health of your septic system. Keeping grease, oil, chemicals and non-biodegradable items out of your drains is important, and lowering water use can also have an impact. Make sure you also schedule regular maintenance with your local septic service company can catch issues early and help prevent failure.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

How Can You Tell Your Septic Lift Station Isn’t Working?

For some septic systems, a lift station is needed to pump effluent from the septic tank to the drain field. While conventional systems use gravity, a lift station is needed where topography requires the tank to be at a lower elevation than the drain field. If the lift station doesn’t work properly, waste water will accumulate in the tank and backup your system. Here are ways to tell if your lift station is not working right to prevent a septic system failure.

Your lift station or sewage pump is activated by the water levels in the pit where the sewage pump is located. When the water level reaches a certain point, the pump turns on and pumps the water to the distribution box of the drain field. Most lift stations are equipped with an alarm system to let you know if the pit is too full, indicating the pump is not working correctly. Signs that the lift station is not working right include: 

  • High level alarm goes off. If your alarm is working correctly, it should alert you when the water level is too high in your lift station.
  • Sewage odor. If you smell sewage in your basement, near your sump pump or by the septic system, you should check your lift station for problems.
  • Septic backups. Lift station breakdowns will cause the septic tank to fill quickly, causing a backup of sewage into your home.

Since lift stations require mechanical equipment to work properly, it is vital to have your lift station maintained. Replacing corroded components and maintaining the pump can help prevent emergency issues with your lift station. Make sure to schedule a lift station and septic system inspection and maintenance through your local septic service at least once a year.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

Sounds, Smells and Sights of Septic Problems

A septic backup or failure can be an expensive and messy problem. However, most septic issues do not happen overnight. Issues begin to accumulate and there are signs when a septic system is not working correctly. Using your senses, you can identify these signs and get service for your septic system before you have a complete failure or messy backup. Here are some sounds, smells and sights to be aware of if you own a septic system.

Sounds

If you hear a gurgling sound when you flush your toilet or use the drains in your home, you could have a septic system issue. This is often accompanied by slow drains.

Smells

Odor is a common sign of septic system issues. If you smell sewer odor inside the house, it may be coming up the drains or through the septic vent. Other places that can have an odor when there is a problem is above your septic tank cover or near your drain field.

Sights

Keep an eye out for changes in your yard and drain field. Wet spots in your yard or by your septic tank can alert you to sewer pipe or tank problems. You should also be watching your drain field. If the grass becomes a vibrant green, the effluent may not be absorbing properly into the soil. A bio-mat or wet areas in your drain field are also signs of a septic issue.

When you hear, smell or see any of these issues, call your septic service company immediately. Catching the problem before it becomes a septic failure can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in repairs or replacements.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

What to Do if Your Septic Alarm Goes Off

Many septic systems are equipped with a septic alarm to alert the owner if there is a problem. However, many homeowners may not even realize they have an alarm until it goes off. While there are many different types of septic alarms with many different features, one of the basic alarms is to alert you when the septic system is not able to handle the amount of waste water coming in. Here is what you should do if this alarm goes off and what it could mean.

When a septic alarm triggers, it is often due to high water within the system. This means the pump is unable to process the amount of water coming in. This could be due to several issues, including:

  • Too much waste water going down the drains for the system to handle
  • If your septic system is on a timer, too much water for the period has entered the septic system
  • Excess water from other sources is finding its way into your septic system, i.e. a groundwater leak into your system

The first thing to do when this alarm goes off is to stop putting any water down the drain. Cease all water activities in the house, including using toilets, showers, sinks, washers, etc. If you don’t, you will most likely have a septic backup headed your way.

In some cases, your septic system was just overloaded and needs to catch up. If you were using a large amount of water prior to the alarm, try not using drains in your home for a few hours. Also, check your circuit breaker to make sure that it did not trip the alarm. However, if nothing was out of the ordinary, it is time to call your septic professional to find out what the problem is within your system.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Avoiding Septic Emergencies

No one wants to wake up and find backed up sewage in their toilets, sinks and bathtubs. A septic emergency is not only disgusting and inconvenient, it can be very expensive. Although not all septic emergencies can be prevented, there are often signs that can warn you of a possible problem with your system. Here are a few signs that can help you recognize a septic issue before it becomes a major septic emergency.

Slow Drains

If you have one slow drain in your home, it is most likely a plumbing problem with that particular drain. However, if you have several drains that are slow, especially on the lowest level of the house, call your septic professional. There could be an issue with your septic system that is causing the slow drainage. If not fixed, you could wake up to a nasty sewage back up into your home.

Watch Your Drain Field

Your drain or leach field is a good indicator of possible problems with your septic system. If water or sewage is pooling in your drain field or there is a foul odor, this can be a sign there are issues with your septic. Ignoring this could end up causing a septic emergency and can even end in a complete septic failure.

Odor and Wet Spots

It is not just your drain field that should be watched for signs of septic issues in your outdoor area. Any wet spots in your lawn or rotten, sewage odors can be a sign of a problem. Sewer pipes under your yard can crack, break or become blocked, causing problems. These wet areas and odor can alert you to an issue below the surface of your yard.

At the first sign of any septic issues, call your local septic service company. It is almost always less expensive to have a septic repaired before it becomes a major septic emergency.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Septic D-Box Function and Maintenance

Is your distribution box or d-box for your septic system well-maintained and working as it should? If you are asking yourself what a d-box is, you should learn a little more about your septic system. Although the septic tank and drain field are major components of your septic system, in between these two large parts is your distribution box. If not maintained, your d-box could cause problems with both your tank and your drain field, even leading to septic system failure.

What Is a D-Box’s Function?

The distribution box for your septic system is the final zone for affluent before it enters the drain field. This box is usually located near the drain field under the ground. Most d-boxes are a few feet across and about a foot under the ground. Traditionally these collection boxes are made from concrete, but they can be comprised of plastic or fiberglass. The box is sealed and has a lid that can be removed.

The d-box’s function is to collect affluent from the septic tank and distribute it evenly to the drain field. There are usually a few different outlets to the different drain field pipes so that affluent is spread throughout the drain field. When working properly, a d-box ensures that the affluent is even dispersed for maximum filtering through the soil. 

D-Box Problems

Common issues with distribution boxes are leaks, clogs and corrosion. These boxes are necessary for your septic system to work correctly, so if the box is leaking or needs replacement, it could cause flooding and a septic backup. Clogs in the pipes to and from the d-box can also cause a backup. You should know where your d-box is located and be aware of any pooling or odor coming from that area.

Your d-box should be regularly inspected as part of your schedule maintenance for your septic system. If you notice any issues near your d-box, call your local septic service immediately.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Buying a New Home? Questions to Ask About the Home’s Septic System

You find the perfect house for your family with a beautiful yard and everything you ever dreamed of in a home. The only problem is, it has a septic system and you don’t know anything about septic systems. Don’t let the fact that a home is on a septic system scare you away from a great home. They can be easily and affordably maintained by your local septic professional. However, you do want to make sure the system is in good condition and it will be the right fit for your family. Here are a few questions to ask the current homeowner or real estate broker.

  • What is the size of the septic tank? Most septic tanks are built based on the number of bedrooms in the home. However, if you have a larger family, you need to make sure the tank is large enough to accommodate the extra load. Most tanks are between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons.
  • How old is the septic tank? If maintained correctly, a septic tank can last for decades, so age is not always a factor. However, it is good news if the tank is less than five years old.
  • Has the system recently been inspected? Most homeowners will have their septic system inspected once they decide to put their home on the market and have that information available. If they have not had the septic system inspected recently, insist on having the inspection done before moving forward with buying the home.

A licensed septic service company can provide a complete septic system inspection so you know the exact condition of the system. They can also provide you with estimates for yearly maintenance and upkeep so you can figure it into the price of your new home.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS
(662) 429-1686

Signs of Septic Problems

If you own a septic system, you may go years without needing to do any repairs as long as you have regular maintenance performed. However, it is usually only a matter of time before you will have some type of repair that is needed. Knowing the signs of septic problems can help you identify the issue before it becomes a large septic problem. Here are a few signs that you may need septic repair:

  • Slow drains. If you begin noticing that you have slow drains throughout your home, you may be having a septic problem. It could be a clog in your sewer pipes or your tank may be getting full.
  • Foul odor. Septic systems that are working properly should not be release a foul odor. If you begin noticing a foul odor coming from your drains, yard or drain field, call a septic professional to inspect your system.
  • Wet areas. Wet ground near sewer lines, your septic tank or your drain field can be sign of problems. It may be a leak or a malfunctioning drain field, all which require professional repair.
  • Greener grass. A sign that your leech or drain field is not working correctly is if the grass covering the area becomes very green or is growing faster than other areas. This can caused by effluent that is not draining, feeding the grass.

If you have any of these signs, it is time to call your local septic professional. Many times catching these problems early can reduce the repair costs and prevent a septic system failure. Have your entire system inspected to determine the problem so it can be repaired as quickly as possible.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728