Warning Signs of a Failing Septic System
A peculiar odor in the yard? Your toilet not draining as it once did? You may be left to question what that damp spot of lawn is all about.
Such things are indicative of a septic system on the way out. We at Tampa Septic Inc see this sort of thing and put homeowners in Tampa, FL in a position to head off trouble before it becomes an expensive and messy affair. To have us determine what is happening underfoot, you can reach us at (813)-296-5610.
For the most part a septic system works in silence and is not on anyone’s mind until there is an issue. But it will give you some indication before it gives up entirely. Being able to read those signs is worth the effort to avoid stress and put thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
The House Drains Are Slow
An isolated slow drain is likely a clog. Yet if you find more than one in your home running behind schedule, the cause is usually to be found in the septic tank or drain field, not the pipes of the house.
Keep an eye on any of the following for sluggish drainage:
- Sinks in the kitchen and bath
- Showers, tubs
- A weak flush from the toilet
- Backing up in the laundry
- Gurgling in basement or floor drains
If you are seeing a number of these, chances are the tank has filled up or the system is having difficulty with water flow.
Odors, Inside and Out
You should not have to smell anything from a properly functioning septic system. If there is a hint of sewage or sulfur around your toilets, near the drains or in the vicinity of the tank and drain field, something is amiss.
Some will put up with a faint smell for months. It is a mistake; the gas is where it should not be and the problem will only compound with time.
Soggy Ground or Standing Water
Make a circuit of the drain field. Absence of rain does not explain pooling or soft ground if your system is in over its head because the tank is full or the field cannot take in the wastewater.
Other telltale marks outside include:
- An area of grass that is too green or lush
- Water standing on top of the tank or field
- Muddy patches that will not dry
- The spongy feel of the yard underfoot
Do not be fooled by the verdant grass over the septic; it is often fed by leaking wastewater.
Plumbing That Gurgles
Bubbling from the toilet or a gurgle in the drain is the sound of air being trapped as water is unable to make its way through. A minor noise but it speaks to something more.
When Sewage Backs Up
No one wants to put up with this. Wastewater in your sinks and tubs means the system has broken down. It is a plumbing emergency and a health risk. Do not tarry, get a professional on the line.
Reasons to Pay Attention
It is not going to right itself. What might have been a matter of a pump-out can end up requiring you to replace the whole system. Early intervention is far less costly.
Tampa Septic Inc is here for that. As a licensed and insured company we have a 4.9 star rating on Google from 400 plus reviews by our neighbors in Tampa. We provide free estimates so there are no surprises and a 100 per cent satisfaction guarantee on our work.
Our people are on hand from 8 to 5 Monday to Friday for an inspection and some straight talk.
So if you have seen any of the above, do not let a backup be what makes you act. Let our team at Tampa Septic Inc have a look at your septic system. Call (813)-296-5610 and we will see to it that you and your home are protected from what could be a much larger problem.