Posted by: Chris Laney on January 23, 2019

Watch for these signs of a septic back up and decide if it’s time to call in a professional clean up service!

A septic system requires standard maintenance just like every other area of your home. If properly maintained, the system should last for many years with minimal issues. However, as the system ages or if maintenance does not occur regularly, there are issues that can cause a back up within your septic system.

Here are the signs of a problem with your septic system and what to do to if you experience any of these problems!

1. Water and sewage from toilets, sinks, and other drains are backing up into the home.
2. Drains are slow to empty water.
3. There is standing water or spots of overly damp land near the septic tank.
4. Heavy odors are noticed around the septic tank.
5. Bright green grass is noticeable near the tank, even in dry weather.

These are just a few signs that your septic system needs maintenance and a call to a professional plumber to quickly diagnose and fix the issue. This can save you money in repairs down the road.

But how can you fix a septic back up yourself?

One important thing to note is that a backed up septic system can be harmful to you, your family, and even animals in the home or surrounding areas. A septic failure can happen to anyone, occurring when untreated sewage is released and transported to an area where it doesn't belong.

This can cause the sewage to find its way to groundwater, surface water, or even lakes and other marine water – and all without you knowing that anything is wrong!

When you notice a drain is slower than usual or has even stopped all together, it's time to find where the problem is and how you can fix it.

1. Isolate the issue. Start by looking inside the tank and checking the content level. If the tank is low, your blockage is between the house and the tank. If it's full, the issue is what is called a "downstream" problem.
2. Is the power to the septic tank turned on? What about your float switch? Is it working properly? Reset both of these items and your system may jump back into gear!
3. If you are unable to diagnose the issue yourself, a professional can assist through the use of cameras and other specialty tools. They will not only identify the problem, but will clear the issue as well.

One easy fix that can be attempted yourself is snaking the drain. "Snaking" the line is one way that professionals will use to unclog the drain. A snake is easily purchased from any hardware or home improvement store. Feed the tool down the clogged drain, effectively pushing the clog out of the drain and freeing up the pipes.

If this does not take care of the issue, a bigger problem could be causing the slow drain. This is when it's best to call in a professional as plant roots, crushed pipes, or animal damage could be responsible for the problems within your septic system.

To keep your septic tank free of backups, be mindful of these following steps.

1. Never put garbage down your septic system. The septic system is for human waste only. As it is biologically active by nature, it will break down over time, while garbage will not.
2. Always make sure that your septic tank is biologically active. Using antibacterial soaps will actually kill the very thing keeping your septic system from clogging. So save the antibacterial wash for your hands, not for the tank itself.
3. Do not plant trees or plants near your septic tank. If there is existing landscaping near the tank, keep an eye out for issues with tree roots. These can cause punctures within the pipes as they seek out the water and nutrients found in the lines.
4. Keep the ground above the pipes and sewer lines clear. Heavy machinery can crush and destroy the pipes causing major damage to your septic systems.

If you find yourself in a situation where your septic tank has backed up and cleaning is needed quickly, Water Out professional clean up teams are standing by. We are trained in proper clean up methods to keep pathogens away from your family. Our technicians are certified to remove all waste from your home.

It is extremely important that you leave the cleanup of sewage to professionals of the Water Out team for your safety! We use the necessary equipment to clean up the raw sewage safely and without fear of hand to mouth, inhalation, or skin contact with any of the toxins.

It cannot be stressed enough that home owners should not attempt to clean up the raw sewage themselves. Contact the Water Out team immediately if you suspect sewage leaks, or contamination within your home.