Beware of Malfunctions of Your On-Site Septic System

There are a number of reasons why you might suddenly encounter issues or failure of your on-site septic system. Here are some tips to help you make an initial assessment of your septic system problem and what likely needs to be done to address it.

It is imperative that a failing septic system receive immediate attention to ensure that the environmental impacts are minimized and your home and family is protected. A properly functioning septic system should have no severely foul odours that are constant and do not go away (some slight smells immediately over the outdoor septic tank area are normal). Any strong odour should never enter the house. After a septic tank cleaning, the agitation of the material inside the septic tank can cause the gases to get mixed up and vent into the home at times but this should only last an hour or two and is very uncommon.

If you smell sewer gases (carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide) inside your home then you need to take immediate action.

• Sewer gases are toxic and can be hazardous to the health and well-being of everyone in the home. You may also have sewage backup into the house which can cause a lot of damage.

It may be a simple fix:

• Your septic tank may be at full capacity causing the restriction of proper drainage
• Your plumbing vent is blocked with leaves and debris or it may be frozen
• A dry drain trap may just require some flushing to replace the water barrier (2-4 litres should be enough to give most drains a complete flush)
• Slow draining plumbing inside the home can be caused by a plugged sewer vent; some signs of a plugged sewer vent may be gurgling sinks and slight signs of sewer gas coming into the home
• Plumbing may have been improperly installed or improperly hooked up to the system – have the plumber check toilet wax seals etc.
•  Your septic pump may have failed and need repairs or replacing as the tank is not being emptied.
• Your septic tank may require mechanical repairs if baffles or floats are malfunctioning.
• It may be that your septic system is failing due to pipe blockages either from the house to the septic tank or from the tank to the septic field.

Causes

• Fats, oils, miscellaneous trash, feminine hygiene products etc. can all cause pipe blockages – ensure that everyone in the household knows that these things must not be flushed down the toilets or drains.
• Tree roots can infiltrate your sewer pipes and break them open – these will need to be cleared back and pipes replaced.
• Underground drainage pipes can be partially or completely frozen.

If you smell sewer gases outdoors

• You may have a broken pipe which is releasing sewage – you may find that you have excessive moisture in your yard, most likely in an area that is either near the pipes associated with the septic system or near the septic field (if you find this isn’t the case then perhaps a nearby system is at fault).
• You may find that you have contaminated wells or drainage systems such as ditches in your area – this is likely fairly localized.
• Sewage may be entering surface water or ponds in the immediate area – this may be your system or it may be happening further upstream.
• Frozen or burst piping – freezing problems occurring during the winter indicate that it may have been a very cold winter and a sign that you should attempt to insulate your septic system next winter, traffic over the septic field may have compacted the soil or you may have an issue with the water flow through the system – whatever the cause; this is an issue that will require a professional assessment and fix.
• Trees or plants growing near your septic system can grow into pipes and cause blockages and pipe failures – trees need to be kept away from your septic system and barriers installed to prevent regrowth.
• Vent pipes should be inspected by a plumbing expert for proper function. The plumber can give professional advice on upgrades or changes based on your situation.

If you encounter problems with your septic system maintenance your system may have reached the end of its lifespan and require replacement or there may have been a failure of the proper drainage because the system was not properly maintained or was improperly installed. In this case finding the issue and fixing it immediately is crucial.