The septic system plays a crucial role in maintaining the hygiene of your house. After all, it treats the wastewater generated from daily household activities.
In that context, the most critical septic system component is the underground septic tank, where all the wastewater is collected for treatment. Understanding what causes a septic tank to malfunction is vital.
Septic tanks are designed to store and treat wastewater safely, but if they become overloaded, they can back up, resulting in a huge mess.
Septic tanks can back up for many reasons, including overuse, a clogged septic drain field, tree root invasion, groundwater flooding from excess waste, and broken pipes.
Unfortunately, in some cases, the water in the septic tank may start to back up through your sink, showers and household drains. Other signs like gurgling drains, odd smells and a sluggish flow rate might accompany this. Such a problem poses a significant health risk for the inhabitants of your house.
Because of this, you must fix a septic system backup as soon as possible. However, to identify and resolve the problem, you must first understand the warning signs and their causes. We have addressed that in our detailed guide, so read on!
7 Main Causes Of Septic Tank Backup
There are many different reasons septic systems may start to back up. So, we have listed the most common causes for you below:
1. Clogged Pipes
A blockage in your plumbing pipes is one of the biggest reasons behind a backed-up septic tank. This occurs when foreign objects become lodged inside them. These foreign objects are typically non-flushable solid wastes, such as facial tissues, paper products, paper towels, hair, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, etc.
The septic system pipes are designed to handle water and flushable solid and human waste like toilet paper. If you flush anything down the pipes, they will get stuck and block the water flow. Once that happens, the wastewater will back up through your drains and water fixtures. So, to avoid that, ensure the objects you are flushing are septic-safe.
2. Blocked Septic Philtre
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A septic philtre is a component that controls the flow of solid waste to the drain field. If the septic philtre becomes blocked, the solid wastes cannot flow into the leach field. Instead, they back up through the drain pipes into your home, which is unhygienic and poses health risks.
Grease, oil, and solid waste poured through drains or garbage disposals can block the septic tank. To avoid this problem, properly dispose of oil and other scraps.
3. Invasive Tree Roots:
Tree roots can grow through the septic tank pipes, which causes them to burst. This, in turn, releases untreated wastewater into the groundwater, contaminating it. The roots may block the pipes in other cases, causing septic backups.
Fortunately, if you avoid planting trees near the septic tanks, you won’t have to worry about tree roots damaging them. Alternatively, avoid installing the underground tank near existing trees.
4. Septic System Overload
Your septic tank will fill up quickly if you have a large family or use lots of water for household activities. This will cause the system to become overloaded, eventually leading to septic system backups.
You can prevent this by inspecting your tank to confirm it has adequate capacity. However, suppose you do not have the funds to install a large tank. In that case, you should manage your water usage carefully to avoid stressing the system.
5. Heavy Rainfall
Heavy rains can also trigger septic system backups. In such cases, the ground surrounding the septic tank gets flooded, ultimately overwhelming the system. As a result, excess water starts to back up through your drain field, pipes, and household water fixtures.
Building additional drainage channels along the septic system can resolve such an issue. These channels will help you avoid such a problem so your septic tank doesn’t overload.
6. Incorrect Installation
In many cases, septic tank backups are often due to poor installation practices. The septic system is relatively complex, so if you hire untrained plumbers, they cannot install it correctly. Similarly, if you use old pipes or rusty parts, they will get damaged or clogged. As such, you will have to deal with frequent septic backups.
To avoid such issues, only hire qualified professionals for installation. Likewise, the septic tank components used should also be of high quality.
7. Using Antibacterial Soaps And Other Harsh Chemicals
A typical septic tank uses anaerobic bacteria to break down the solid waste in the water. If you use harsh chemicals and antibacterial soaps, they kill the bacteria, thereby disrupting the tank’s biological composition. As such, the solid waste will accumulate inside the tank and eventually back up through the pipes.
The obvious solution to this problem is to avoid using such harsh chemicals. This will maintain the bacterial composition inside the tank and prevent sewage backup issues.
Backed Up Septic Tank: Find Out Why!
Proper maintenance and specific preventative measures can prevent most septic backup issues. However, if you eventually end up with such a problem, you must address it according to the underlying cause.
For instance, if the pipes are clogged or blocked, you can clear them using high-pressure jets, drain augers, etc. But if the pipes have become damaged, you must get them replaced.
In either case, we suggest getting help from a professional with the necessary tools and expertise to deal with the septic tank problem. That’s where Big Blue Plumbing Bribie Island comes in, for we have both.
Do you have a septic tank backup issue or need your septic tank pumped? Our comprehensive services will pump your system effectively, promptly, and at an affordable cost. In addition to fixing septic backups, our technicians will take all necessary measures to prevent future ones.
