Plenty of properties rely on septic systems instead of city sewage systems. If yours is one of them, then you will find that, as reliable as your septic system may be, you will likely need a septic tank repair at some point.
Before we get into the signs you need septic tank repair, however, we thought it might be useful to give a brief overview of septic systems. These are underground waste treatment systems that serve individual properties. When toilets are flushed or water goes down the drain, the waste enters the septic tank. There, solid waste settles at the bottom, while liquid waste, called effluent, eventually leaves, and flows into a drain field where it can filter through the soil.
Now that you understand how a septic system works, here’s how to spot when you need a septic tank repair:
- Foul Odors – If you smell a rotten egg odor in your yard or in your home, your septic tank may be to blame. Call a professional to check it out and determine if your septic tank is damaged.
- Lush Grass – If a particular area of your lawn looks greener and lusher than other areas, it’s probably receiving extra fertilizer from sewage. There could be a crack in the septic tank that’s allowing sewage to leak.
- Standing Water – Standing water or spongy areas in your yard may be a sign that you need septic repairs because a septic tank that is functioning properly won’t leak.
- Slow Drains – If water is draining more slowly in your home, it may have to do with your septic tank. It’s possible that the tank just needs a pump-out, but it could also mean something is wrong with the tank itself.