Problems With a Septic System
As much as homeowners would like their septic system to be a "set it and forget it" type of deal, it is not, and routine neglect will eventually manifest itself in problems cropping up years (maybe even decades) down the road. The good news is that preventative measures to keep your septic system in good working order are normally not labor- or cost-intensive. In the event the system does fail, there are a few regular culprits that are usually the source of the problem. Does this Spark an idea?
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Mechanical Failure
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Mechanical failure of a septic system can be traced to a few causes. The first would be a collapse of underground pipes leading to the drainage field. This could be caused by driving heavy vehicles over the buried pipes or simply a shift in the soil material over time. Another common issue is tree roots growing into the pipes, causing a blockage which diverts or blocks the proper dispersal of sewage. Plumbing problems in the house are often a major factor in septic problems as well.
Anaerobic Failure
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The septic system process only works when there is sufficient space inside the tank to allow the natural anaerobic process of bacterial decay to take place. A tank that is allowed to stay too full, and is not regularly pumped out, cannot degrade and disperse the incoming sewage fast enough, which will likely result in a blocked system and overflow in toilets, tubs and sinks inside the house.
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Excess Water
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A septic system drain field is only built to handle so much capacity per person in the household. According to the North Carolina State University Department of Soil Science, the typical daily use for individual use is about 50 gallons, counting showers, toilet flushing, sinks and other miscellaneous water-intensive tasks. If you exceed the drain field capacity, expect to notice raw sewage smell, backups in the system or sewage collecting on the ground above the system.
Foreign Matter
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Using a toilet as a de facto trash can may cause similar problems in a septic system. Cigarette butts, sanitary napkins and other such non-sewage items can create havoc in the system's ability to break down the contents of the tank, resulting in a blockage or backup of sewage into the house. The good news is that by paying attention to these problem areas, regularly pumping out the tank and locating the system away from intrusive roots, failure of the system should not be an issue.
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References
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