5 Signs of Septic System Failure

5 Signs of Septic System Failure

When your septic system is failing, it’s important to take action before damage occurs. Here are five signs that may indicate your septic system is failing:

Pooling water.
common for a septic system to fail, especially if it was installed decades ago. When the tank is full, the water can't flow into the soil. The water will start to pool and build up in your yard. If there are any cracks or holes in your pipes, this can cause excess seepage into your yard as well. While it's not a major sign of failure, it is something that should be checked out by a professional if you notice this happening!

Foul odors.
Your septic system is designed to hold waste and release it into the environment at a controlled rate. A septic system that's working properly should never release any sewage, meaning foul smells are a sure sign of failure.
When you begin to smell sewage, call a licensed professional. Sewage can cause health problems that range from rashes and respiratory issues, to viral infections such as hepatitis A and E-coli.

Slow drains.

• Slow drains. If your drains are taking longer than usual to drain, it could be a sign that your septic system is not working optimally. In fact, slow draining is one of the first signs of septic system failure and should not be ignored. A professional plumber will be able to diagnose and repair any problems with your septic system so that it works properly again.
• Increased water bills. Another sign that something is wrong with your septic system is an increase in water bills for no reason whatsoever—especially if you don't have children or pets living in the house who could easily account for such an increase in usage! If you see a pattern of higher bills over time without any other changes having been made to the household, call a professional plumber as soon as possible so they can come out and assess whether there's something wrong with the plumbing or drainage pipes under your home.

Soggy spots in the yard.
Soggy spots in your yard may be an indication that your septic system is failing. The following are some tips to help you identify soggy spots and prevent them from occurring:

• Check for wet soil. If the ground around your house feels spongy or squishy, it could be a sign that there's too much water entering the drain field and causing it to fail.
• Avoid using fertilizers or chemicals on your lawn and garden. These can cause excessive growth of bacteria, which will increase effluent discharge into the drain field and possibly overflow onto surrounding land.
• Install drains around all buildings where water can gather to prevent flooding damage during heavy rains or snow melt-off periods in winter months, especially if there are no gutters available for drainage purposes at those locations (e.g., barns).

Wastewater or graywater discharge.

• Graywater discharge. Wastewater from sinks, showers, and washing machines is called graywater. If you notice any graywater discharge in your yard or on the ground near the house, call a plumber immediately. This is a sign of a clogged drain line that may need to be replaced if it's not cleaned out quickly.
• Leaking pipes. Another sign of septic system failure is leaking pipes around the home—especially near the area where your septic tank sits on your property. If this happens, call an expert before attempting repairs yourself; they can help diagnose what's happening and determine whether there's any chance of repairing it without having to replace the entire system next time around.

When your septic system is failing, you need to take action before it’s too late.
Septic system failure is a serious issue, and it can be very dangerous to your health. You may not know it’s happening until it's too late. Here are some signs of septic system failure:

• The water level in your toilet bowl rises unusually high or the water is draining more slowly than usual.
• The discharge from your sinks or toilets runs brown instead of clear.
• There’s an increased amount of standing water around the house (this could also be due to flooding).

If you notice any signs of a septic system failure, it’s important to take action quickly. You should contact a professional as soon as possible so that they can inspect your system and determine whether or not it needs to be repaired. In many cases, simple repairs can save you money on expensive replacements and help keep the environment healthy.
You should have your septic tank inspected and cleaned if you have any of these problems. If you need any plumbing services in the Gulfport, MS region, call ASAP Plumbing at (228) 865-ASAP right now.