Why Septic Tank Systems Fail And How to Stop It From Happening

Staying in the home of your dreams is indeed a wonderful experience for any homeowner, yet there are many things that can go wrong in the property. One of the things that you should do your best to avoid is a septic tank issue. Facing problems with your septic tanks can cause hydraulic failures and can contaminate other water sources nearby. Also, it will result in a nasty smell and possibly sight, and trust us, you won’t want to be caught in the middle of that!

However, what happens if the septic tank systems do fail? Why does that happen in the first place? In this article, we will share several reasons for septic tank system failures and how to stop it from happening:

1. Lack Of Maintenance

Keep in mind that your septic tank does a lot of work—it transfers all the wastewater in your property into the tank. On the other hand, what happens inside is that the heavy contaminants separate from the water and settle on the bottom, while light pollutants float to the surface. When the scum and sludge are separated, the tank will then pump water into the drain field, while the remaining elements stay inside to ensure they don’t contaminate the groundwater. 

Then, what happens to the scum and sludge inside? Sometimes, they break down on their own, although not all of them, and this is where your regular maintenance comes in. When talking about maintenance, you will need to pump the tank at least once every three years to remove the build-up of scum and sludge. Otherwise, they will take up too much space and drain out into the soil. Eventually, the tank will simply stop working!

2. High Levels Of Water Usage

Did you know that your tank can only process a specific quantity of wastewater? This essentially means that it’s designed to handle a precise flow rate of water, and this is based on the size of your house. How it works is that the tank will discharge wastewater at the same rate or even faster than it takes on water. 

However, when it takes too much water, this is when you’ll be faced with a problem. Know that the excess water has to go somewhere else, and it will come back to you through the pipes or out onto the lawn. Just imagine that water sitting in your pipes or on your yard – such a nasty sight! 

3. Incorrect Installations

If the tank isn’t installed properly in the first place, it simply won’t work. A septic tank must be buried at a specific depth in a particular type of soil. If the soil is too wet, it can’t treat sewage right before discharging it. On the other hand, if there’s not enough soil beneath the bottom of the drain field trench, then it won’t be able to absorb all the sewage. You wouldn’t want to get into this problem, right? This is why you need to ensure your septic tank is properly installed!

Conclusion

Ultimately, when you face a septic tank system failure, rest assured that you don’t have to fix the problem by yourself because you can always depend on the experts! At the same time, remember that it’s essential to address the septic tank issue right away before it becomes a huge problem that can get really messy and costly. With all of the things that could go wrong in your property, you won’t want your septic tank to mess up, or you’ll be in for a smelly surprise! 

Are you looking for reliable emergency plumbers in Byron Bay, Ballina, Banora Point, and surrounding areas? Then you’ve come to the right place! Our expert plumbers at Fantastic Plumbing have over 20 years’ experience in the industry, and we can handle all types of jobs. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help repair your septic tank system!