Who would want to face a problem associated with the septic system of the house? Proper maintenance and cleaning of the septic tank will help you in preventing all the potential issues that can arise. However, if your septic tank is decades old, it might be impossible to fix certain issues, with the only solution lying in its replacement.
There is no denying that proper maintenance allows you to avoid replacement for generations. However, this is only possible if the septic tank has been under the care of a single owner. When the property has been sold time and time again, there are high chances that the septic tank maintenance has been compromised.
Before things get out of hands, it is better to keep an eye for the following signs to know if you need to replace your septic tank or not:
Slow Drains
If your sink is draining slowly, it indicates that there is a problem with the pipes of the house. This is considered a minor symptom and is mostly associated with the clogging of the pipes. However, you can expect a serious problem if all the sinks in the house are draining slowly.
Slow drains are an indication that the water is moving slowly through the septic tank because of the buildup at the bottom. You might also experience frequent backups that show that your septic system is beginning to break down. If you see or smell raw sewage backing up from the sink, it is time to call professional help for septic tank cleaning.
Issues in Flushing Toilets
One of the first signs of a serious issue is when your toilet doesn’t flush or is slow to flush. In such a situation, even a plunger won’t be able to fix the problem. There are chances that the tank is full and needs to be emptied or a more serious situation like a clogged pipe awaits you to get fixed.
Raw sewage can be hazardous, so you should get to the bottom issue as soon as possible. If the problem is surfacing multiple times, your system might be damaged to the extent that requires replacement. Before any further problems, call septic tank installation contractors so that they can take care of the problem.
Backed-Up Pipes
If you hear a gurgling sound whenever you flush the toilet, it indicates that there’s an issue with the septic tank that should be addressed. The tank might be full, requires pumping, or has any other issue that might need repair. If the issue has gone to an extent beyond repair, the only thing left to do is to replace the septic tank.
The noise is caused by the clogging of the pipes and in worst cases, the pipes start to backup. You will also experience bad odors in different parts of the house, especially around the septic tank and the drain field. It is the smell of the wastewater when the drain field or the septic system starts failing.
Standing Water in the Yard
If you’ve started noticing puddles in the yard where the septic tank is buried, it is time that you need a new one. If there hasn’t been raining, there’s no reason for puddles to be there in the yard. Although these puddles might mean that you simply need a repair and not a replacement, only a professional can tell that.
Such problems are not just caused by the septic tank. Sometimes, the standing water is due to issues in the drain field. The drain field is where the liquid from the tank reaches your yard and is broken down into minute organisms. That is why it is best to have grass and greenery above the drain field.
Conclusion
If maintained well, a concrete septic tank may last as long as 40 years. It is better to find a solution for the problem as soon as it arises if you want to avoid a messy and expensive septic tank situation. Get rid of the tank before it starts infecting nearby water sources, including the well water.
Replacing the septic tank only takes place when there is no room for repair. Some of the above-mentioned symptoms show up even at minor septic issues. The best strategy is to call a professional as soon as you spot a symptom and let them handle the situation before it gets any worse.