You’re outside on your deck, enjoying a beautiful summer day. A drink in your hand, kids playing in the lawn, everything seems perfect. And then it hits you.
Is that septic I smell?
Uh oh… Is our septic system failing?
One of the questions we septic installers get asked the most is this… How can I tell if my septic system is failing? Of course you could pay someone to come out and do an inspection, but before you spend any money, there some ways to tell yourself if the system is working properly or not.
Signs of a Septic System Failure
1. The smell of sewage
That porch scenario is usually the way a person first finds out their septic may be failing. If you are outside and smell septic, it may be the result of a failure. First check to make sure your tank lid is buried, or properly sealed. If that is sealed and no odor is leaking from the tank, check the lawn for…
2. Sewage leaking on the lawn
Find a wet spot on your lawn? Maybe there is some black sludge? Water that looks “oily”? This is most likely sewage from your fields leaking out on your lawn. This is a sign that the fields are no longer taking water. Generally this starts with small leakage areas that dry up and then reoccur. As time goes on, you will see more frequent episodes that take longer to dry and may not dry or disappear at all.
3. Sewage backing up into the home
Backups happen from time to time for various reasons. But if a clogged pipe is not to blame, then it is most likely the cause of a full tank, which may no longer be sending fluids to the fields. At the end of their life span, septic fields no longer take fluid. This may result in backups periodically, or may backup and not dry up at all.
Signs of failure DO NOT always mean total system replacement
Don’t worry, If you see these signs, it doesn’t always mean you need a $15,000 (or more) replacement!
Sometimes a single field can fail, wile the other ones remain in good working order. Perhaps you have a problem with your tank, and you need to have just it replaced.Just recently in Redding Connecticut, we fixed a mans septic tank, but left the fields. The tank had a crack but the fields were fine.
If you see any of these signs of failure, find a Septic Installer near you with a good history, and have them do an inspection to evaluate the extent of the system failure. In Connecticut your septic installer needs to be licensed, and should be insured as well.
