Common Septic System Issues

A typical septic system comprises four main components: a septic tank, a drainage pipe that feeds into the…

Aug 10,2022

Common Septic System Issues

A typical septic system comprises four main components: a septic tank, a drainage pipe that feeds into the septic tank, a distribution box, and the drainfield. All these components work together to eliminate wastewater away from your home. While a properly installed and well-maintained septic system can serve you for many years without any issues, it isn’t immune to damage. A wide range of issues are bound to arise at some point, requiring you to call a septic company to help you with repairs and replacements.

At Septic Blue of Charlotte, we’ve compiled some of the common septic system issues and what you can do about them. And know that Septic Blue of Charlotte has what it takes to help you with all of your septic system needs, including septic tank repair and septic system installation.

Tree roots infiltrating your pipes

Trees roots are naturally attracted to the wastewater flowing through sewer pipes, so they’ll stretch long distances and try to find their way into your sewer lines. If you haven’t put measures in place to prevent tree root intrusion, tree roots will break your sewer pipes, especially at the joints, and lead to sewer line leaks. Fortunately, there are ways you can protect your sewer lines from tree roots.

Here are some of the measures you can take to prevent tree roots in sewer lines;

Install wood or metal barriers vertically along the sewer line and ensure they are buried at least six inches deeper than your pipes.
Hire a plumber to mechanically remove the tree roots before they reach your sewer lines.
Plant sewer friendly trees.

Septic tank overflow

Your septic tank can overflow if water usage in your home exceeds its holding capacity or due to heavy rainfall clogging the drainfield. Clogged drain lines, insufficient maintenance, and bacterial deficiency can also cause your septic tank to overflow.

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One of the effective ways to prevent septic tank overflow is to avoid excessive water use. Regular septic tank pumping and routine maintenance can also help prevent septic tank overflow.

Broken drainage pipe

Like other plumbing pipes in your home, the drainage pipe connecting into the septic tank can break due to vehicular damage, tree root infiltration, accidental damage during landscaping, shifting soil, or extreme temperature fluctuations. A damaged drainage pipe can lead to sewage leaking into your lawn and cause unpleasant odors around your home. If you notice standing water along the path of the drainage pipe feeding into the septic tank, make sure you call a professional septic company to perform an inspection.

Collapsed baffle

A baffle keeps all the solids in the septic tank and ensures that only water passes into the soakaway system. A collapsed baffle could allow solids to flow into the soakaway system and cause wastewater backup.

Routine septic tank maintenance can help you keep the baffle in good working order.

Strong odors

Unpleasant odors coming from your drains or from the area around the septic tank could point to a full septic tank, vent stack clog, defective gaskets and seals, or bacterial deficiency. You can prevent septic tank odors by being careful about what you put down your drains, pumping out your septic tank as needed, avoiding the use of chemical cleaners, and having your septic system inspected regularly.

Other common septic system issues include sewage backup, slow drains, build-up of solids in the septic tank, and ground movement.

Are you experiencing septic system issues and need the help of a professional septic company? Reach out to Septic Blue of Charlotte for septic tank repair and septic system installation.