Why Is Your Septic Backing Up?

The septic system is among the critical yet highly overlooked components of a functional home. The system ensures a smooth wastewater flow, preventing unwanted backups or overflows. So if the septic fails, your entire plumbing system may be compromised.

However, your septic may show signs of failure from time to time, perhaps due to age or wear from too much use. And among the obvious signs that something is off is when your septic starts to back up. Learn some signs and causes of septic backup.

What Are Signs of Septic Backup?

Before you go to the causes, learn some signs that your septic system is backing up.

Slow Draining Sinks and Toilet

As mentioned earlier, the septic system ensures wastewater flows correctly. So if you're experiencing slow drainage in the sink and toilet, it could signify that the septic is not in the best condition to hold the wastewater.

Nonetheless, slow-draining sinks may be due to other factors, such as a clogged pipe. So don't automatically conclude that your septic is to blame and let an expert diagnose it instead.

Awful Odor

A septic tank works by trapping and containing wastewater to keep your home free of bad smells. If the wastewater rises and breaches the tank, you will likely get a nasty smell in your home. The odor is unmistakable and may be unbearable if ignored for too long. Usually, the odor smells like rotten eggs or sewage water.

Wet Spots or Outflows

Wet patches around your yard could signify that wastewater is leaking from the tank and finding its way to the surface. The leaks could be due to too much water pressure in the septic system or a broken pipe.

What Causes Septic Backup?

Discover some culprits of septic backup and how wastewater treatment can help.

Full Septic Tank

Septic tanks have a specified capacity for the amount of wastewater the tank can hold. Therefore, when the tank reaches capacity, wastewater will have nowhere to go and may start to back up.

The secret to preventing this issue is to have the tank pumped regularly to create more room for the continually flowing wastewater.

Clogged System

Although your septic tank holds waste, not all types of waste should go down the drains. Some solid wastes are non-biodegradable and may clog the pipes or the tank itself. These wastes include cooking grease, diapers, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products.

When such products get to the septic tank, the solids form sludge, which reduces the tank's capacity and may cause a backup in the system.

Tree Roots

Tree roots are a common and severe cause of septic backup. These roots can grow underground, searching for water sources. And when they find it in the sewer pipes, the roots can easily penetrate to reach the water source. In some cases, these tree roots may get so deep that they block the pipeline or, even worse, cause damage to the tank.

Excess Water Use

Wastewater treatment systems are designed to handle a certain amount of water pressure. When the system is beyond its capacity, the excess water may start to back up your plumbing system.

You may need to adjust your water consumption habits to prevent this issue. For example, do smaller laundry loads each time. And if you host guests, talk to them about water usage.

Septic tank backup can cause chaos in your home. If you ignore the issue for too long, the problem may worsen and require more costly repair. So invest in regular septic inspection and maintenance to help you spot problems before they escalate.

You can trust us at The Nibbler Company for all your wastewater treatment needs. We have an experienced team of technicians and advanced equipment to provide you with the best solutions. Contact us for a consultation.