Signs of a Failing Septic Tank

a failing septic tank
Septic tank failure can be a smelly, messy, dangerous and costly business, something to be avoided at all costs. If you have a septic system at your Syracuse property then make sure you keep an eye open for any signs of trouble.

Here are five clues that your septic tank is not functioning as it should. All these symptoms show something is wrong and should be taken seriously. If you notice any of these signs then you should call a Syracuse septic system service like Mr Rooter to carry out an inspection.

  1. Smell
    Your nose is often the first part of you to notice a potential septic tank problem. If you can smell sewage anywhere on your property, in the house, yard or drain-field then trouble may be brewing.
  2. The grass is greener
    The first sign of a drain-field beginning to fail is an increasing amount of moisture in the soil. If you notice that the grass is growing more quickly or luxuriantly around the septic tank site, then all is not well. Excessive plant growth shows that the problem may have been occurring for a couple of weeks at least.
  3. Gurgling in the pipes
    If your pipes gurgle when you run water or flush the toilet then you may be looking at septic system failure. The gurgling happens because the septic tank is too full of solids and cannot work properly.
  4. Wet ground or standing water
    Patches of wet ground, or pools of water, often smelly, in the drain-field area are another important indication that your system is failing. You must get a professional to check the site because these stinky wet patches are a health hazard.
  5. Slowdown in toilet plumbing
    Your toilet refusing to flush can be a sign of a full septic tank. If this happens you must take action immediately and call in an expert. If you ignore this sign, you could get a back-up of sewage which is very nasty indeed.

    To avoid septic tank problems, keep a note of the date when your septic tank was last pumped. Have it checked by a professional septic service like Mr Rooter of Syracuse when the five years is up even if you have not noticed any of the problems noted above.