A septic tank is an underground chamber through which domestic wastewater (sewage) flows for basic sewage treatment. Solid wastes sink to the bottom of the tank and decompose, while oil and grease float to the top.

The liquid effluent exits the septic tank into a buried drain field or leach field for further treatment. The leach field filters the wastewater through gravel and soil. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!

As wastewater flows from sinks, tubs and toilets through the septic tank, bacteria in the tanks liquefy solid waste and send it on its way. If too much water is used and the solid waste reaches capacity, then the liquid wastewater will flow out of the septic tank into the absorption field (also known as the drain field). If this happens, it’s time to call in the experts to have your septic system checked, cleaned, or pumped out.

Septic tank overflows can be caused by environmental factors like heavy rainfall and flooding or human factors like flushing non-degradable items and excessive water usage patterns. Identifying the root cause of your septic tank overflow will help you find the right solution, whether it’s septic tank pumping or installing a septic system with alarms and filters.

Pools of water around your home are another telltale sign of a septic system issue. You can mitigate this problem by limiting your household’s water usage until the issue is resolved. Take shorter showers and baths, wash your clothes over a few days instead of back-to-back, and use your dishwasher sparingly.

Getting your septic tank emptied or inspected on a regular basis can prevent these overflows and other issues. The recommended septic tank empty or inspection schedule is every three to five years depending on the size of your septic system.

If your septic tank is overflowing and you haven’t been putting anything extra in it, then the most likely culprit is a blockage or damage to the absorption field. The septic tank is technically always full as wastewater flows through the inlet baffle opening, so it takes some time for this water to reach the tank outlet. If your septic tank is overflowing within days of being pumped, then the most likely reason is that you have a lot of solid waste in it and are filling the tank up faster than it can be processed.

This can be caused by a clog or a leak in the septic tank itself. The best course of action is to have your septic tank emptied and then inspected for the cause.

Smells

When a septic tank is functioning properly, it shouldn’t have any foul smells. When a septic system starts to smell, it may indicate a problem with the plumbing or septic tank itself. Some foul odors come from the drain line and other fixtures, while others are a sign of a septic tank that is full or overflowing.

Septic tanks contain bacteria and other microorganisms that digest home wastewater. When the microorganisms begin to die or overcrowd, they can emit foul odors such as those from a rotten egg smell or hydrogen sulfide.

Fortunately, septic tank odor problems are usually easy to resolve. Besides checking for clogs, full tanks, and blocked vents, homeowners can also take other simple steps to correct the problem.

For example, pouring a cup of baking soda into the drains can help balance the pH level within the septic tank. Keeping the pH level between 6.8 and 7.6 will reduce the unpleasant odors. Homeowners can also help prevent septic tank odors by never flushing anything that the microorganisms cannot digest, such as plastics, coffee grounds, or cigarette butts.

Another cause of septic tank odor is a missing septic vent. If the septic tank is not vented correctly, it can lead to a buildup of toxic gasses inside the house. These gases can be dangerous for children and pets, so it’s important to have the septic vent repaired or replaced right away.

If you suspect your septic tank is smelling, check the manhole cover to see if it has any cracks or gaps that allow air in or out. Then, look at the vents to make sure they aren’t clogged with debris or buried in dirt. If you find the manhole cover has a gap or crack, call your local plumber for emergency plumbing services.

The most common causes of septic smells are clogs, full tanks, and blocking the septic tank vents. However, a septic tank can also become odorous when groundwater enters through the septic system and overflows the septic tank or leech field. If you smell septic odors in your home, go outside after heavy rainstorms and check for groundwater entering the system.

Clogged Drains

The drain pipe that connects your septic tank to the absorption area can become clogged. The most common sign of this is gurgling noises in sinks and toilets. Unpleasant odors around the home may also indicate that wastewater has backed up into your house.

Clogs can be caused by flushing non-biodegradable waste items such as cigarette butts, cotton swabs or menstrual hygiene products. These should always be disposed of in the trash instead of down a drain. Planting trees or shrubs too close to the septic system is another leading cause of septic tank and drain line problems. Their roots may invade and damage the drain lines, causing them to clog and overflow.

While some septic tank clogs require professional help, many homeowners can resolve them without calling in a service technician. Using simple tools, you can often clear the clog by yourself in a relatively short amount of time. To prevent clogs from occurring, avoid flushing non-biodegradable waste, keep plants and trees away from the septic tank system and have your system inspected annually.

If you do notice that the septic tank is overflowing or if there are foul odors around the home, it’s important to call in a service technician. It’s likely that the septic tank has reached its full capacity and needs to be pumped out.

Clogging in a septic tank can occur due to changes in the sludge or scum levels, but more often it happens because of a blockage in the septic tank drainage field. The drainage field is designed to purify the wastewater as it exits the septic tank, but this process can be disrupted by tree root invasion, septic system failure or other factors. A septic tank service technician can identify the cause of the problem and repair or replace the damaged parts of the drainfield. They can also advise you on how to protect your septic tank and drainage fields in the future by taking a few precautions such as:

Pumping

Septic tanks are not only for waste but also a place for bacteria to grow and break down the rest of the organic compounds in the wastewater. They serve as a pre-processing for household waste before it is filtered and absorbed into the soil in the absorption field. Keeping the septic tank properly pumped ensures that solid waste does not enter and clog the absorption field. If the septic system is not pumped in a timely fashion, it will allow the wastewater to pond in the absorption field creating an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests and can cause septic tank failure. Septic fluid can also contaminate nearby drinking water wells, and local waterways with pathogenic bacteria, viruses, degradable organic compounds and synthetic detergents and chlorides.

The purpose of the septic tank is to remove the large solid waste particles from your home’s wastewater so that the liquid wastewater can more readily filter through the soil in the absorption field. During the septic tank pumping process, the technician will use a muckrake to loosen up sludge and scum layers in the septic tank. They will also take the opportunity to look at the condition of the septic system components and the septic tank itself.

If the septic system has leaks, cracks or other damage, the technician may recommend repairs or replacements. They will also be able to let you know if your current septic system is operating at its optimal performance.

A properly working septic system has a partition wall and an inlet and outlet baffle that control the flow of incoming wastewater. The baffles keep sludge from clogging the inlet and the outlet pipes, and they prevent scum from entering the outlet pipe. If the baffles are damaged or missing, a septic tank is more susceptible to clogging and pump failure.

If you’re not sure when your septic tank was last pumped, it is recommended to have it pumped every 2-3 years. This will reduce the risk of the septic tank overflowing and causing drainage failure in your leach field. It’s important to note that the septic tank will only work at peak performance when it is full. It’s best to schedule a septic tank pumping prior to the need for it to be emptied.