5 Reasons Septic Systems Fail

An accurately constructed, installed, and maintained septic system will provide long-term effective treatment of household wastewater. If it is misused, not maintained, or even inaccurately designed, the expensive system will have to be repaired or replaced.  A septic system that is not functioning correctly is a serious problem; it can contaminate groundwater or cause a backup into the house. Also, a septic system must be in good working order prior to selling a home. Knowing that a septic system must be maintained to prevent failure is good starting point but what causes failure?

The Top 5 Things that Cause Septic Systems to Fail

Lack of Maintenance

Water and waste from the kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms exits the house through pipes to the septic tank. After entering the septic tank, the water floats to the top and the sludge settles to the bottom. Some of this sludge naturally breaks down over time but the rest has to be pumped out. A septic should be pumped every 2-3 years depending on how many people live in the house. Failure to have the septic pumped can cause drains to clog, back ups into the house, and contamination of the ground water.

Excess Water

A septic tank can only manage a certain flow rate, quantity of wastewater it can process at a time, depending on the size of the house. Typically, a septic tank releases wastewater at the same rate or faster than it takes in water. When the system takes in too much water before it empties out, it overfills and the water either come back up the pipes or out into your yard.

Geotechnical Conditions

Sometimes the wrong size or type of septic system is installed, or it is improperly designed. When a septic system is installed, the slope of the yard, soil material and conditions, water tables, garbage disposal use, and water softener/filtration systems are taken into consideration.

Putting Too Many Solids Down the Drains

Never put anything into your tank that can be easily thrown in the trash. Kitchen Grease and garbage disposals significantly increase the accumulation of sludge and scum in a septic tank. Unless, you want to have your system pumped very frequently use the garbage disposal less and find other means of disposing of kitchen grease. Other infamous septic system killers include diapers, flushable wipes, paper products, dental floss, cotton balls, cat litter, cigarettes, coffee grounds, hair, feminine products, etc.

There are many things that can cause septic systems to fail. Properly maintaining your system on a regular basis is essential for catching potential problems early and preventing future issues. This will save time and money in the future and your septic system will last much longer. From septic pumping to septic repairs, installation, and septic inspections, Young Excavating & Septic covers it all. Count on us for all of your residential septic needs.