Darrell Crews Septic Tank Service
Darrell Crews Septic Tank Service
How Your Septic System Works
If your property has a septic system any and everything that is drained, rinsed or flushed flows into your septic tank. These tanks are usually 750-1050 gallons and can be made of concrete, fiberglass or plastic.
Water flows from your house into the tank thru the inlet pipe. From there solids sink to the bottom creating sludge while things like grease and toilet paper form a scum layer on top. In between the sludge and scum layer is the water, known as effluent. In a properly working system the water will flow out of the back of the tank thru the outlet pipe to the drain field where it then seeps down thru the filtration system to eventually be absorbed back into the groundwater.
Troubleshooting
- High water alarm going off...ensure there is power to the pump.
- Clogged filter...unfortunately filters clog up over time. If your tank has been pumped within the last year and you are still seeing slow drains you may want to check your filter to ensure it is not causing water to back up.
Improperly Functioning Systems and Potential Causes
Drainfield Failure
Drainfield failure can be caused by several different issues, such as the Drainfield being crushed, clogged or blown out. Whatever the cause, when the Drainfield isn’t functioning properly water can’t flow out of the tank into the drainfield. When this happens water begins to back up in the tank which can lead to sewage overflowing outside around the lid of the tank or backing up into the tubs and toilets of the house.
Clogged Pipes
Your house, septic tank and drainfield are all connected by pipes. These pipes can be clogged or blocked at various points. Clogs can be cause by grease, roots, foreign debris, etc. When a filter is clogged water can’t flow thru properly. This can cause water to back up in to your home
Clogged Filters
When a filter is clogged water can’t flow thru properly. This can cause water to back up in to your home.
Sump Pump Failure
Systems that utilize a sump pump (a pump in a second small tank that pumps water from the septic tank out to the drainfield) can experience issues if the sump pump loses power or malfunctions. When the pump is no longer forcing the water out to the drainfield it can back up in the septic tank.
Tank Failure
Like anything else septic tanks experience wear and damage over time. The gases found within the tank corrode the concrete over time. The tank can also get cracked. There are other mechanisms within the tank such as the Turn Down or Solid Deflection Device that can get broken or knocked off.
Roots
One of the most common causes of system failure or malfunction are roots. Whether they have grown into pipes, infiltrated and clogged the drainfield or worked their way into the actual tank, roots are almost sure to cause problems wherever they go. Never plant trees or plants near or around your septic system.
