Septic Tank Repair

Septic Tank Repair

Septic tanks are containers installed in the ground to hold wastewater, effluent, and solids coming from the house, they are usually found in rural areas or off-grid houses where they are most often the only means of collecting the waste.

As with all facilities, without regular maintenance, septic tanks can run into disrepair and fail totally, for example, when outlet and inlet baffles and effluent filters seem to just disintegrate from corrosion inside the tank. Another problem that arises often is when the outlet pipe from the tank leading to the first distribution box breaks, dips or just corrodes away to nothing causing the raw sewage and effluent to enter the ground soil surrounding the tank, never reaching its intended destination to the drain and leach fields.

Septic tank problems can be disastrous. Septic tanks are part of a mini-sewage system. In urban areas, public sewage systems are built by the government or private corporations. As previously mentioned above, the case is different in rural areas. The sewage system cannot reach places in rural regions so people will have to depend on a privately owned septic tank to dispose of their human waste.

However, because the septic tank transports toxic chemicals, septic tanks do run into a lot of problems. The pungent and sometimes toxic odor from a faulty tank can be redirected back into the house, bringing displeasure and harm to the occupants inside. Learning how to repair the septic tank is a good skill to have in an emergency.

Many times, you will find a problem in the pipe system of the tank or in the lid. The best part is both can be repaired. The biggest problem that always occurs with the septic tank pipe is that it always gets clogged. It can get clogged by anything from an animal that accidentally went inside it or hardened debris. When toilets are unable to flush or bathtub unable to get drained, chances are it means the septic tank is blocked. The first thing to do is to remove the foreign object that is that is blocking the pipe.

Here are some signs that your septic tank needs repairs;

-Draining Slowly

Slow draining out of water is a sure sign of clogging. When you flush, and you notice that it takes quite an unusual period of time to go down, the drain you have is either a fixture that isn't vented or a pipe that clogged.

-Bad Odors Emitted From The Tank

This is very difficult to miss. As soon as you notice a foul smell around the house, check for water leakages. You will notice the presence of a pungent smell within and around the premises, this usually indicates a serious fault with the system, which implies that the whole system needs repairs or that the pump is not venting properly.

-Really Bright Green Grass Growing in Your Front Yard

Though the least noticeable of all septic tank problems, it is still a surefire sign that the septic tank needs repairs. It is more noticeable during the cold seasons, as the green grass around the area, appears richer than others around. They say the grass is always greener on the other side. But greener isn't always better.

If you have really green grass, a very healthy lawn when all other plants and vegetation is brown or dried up, or especially brightly colored grass, could mean your septic tank has a leak in it or your lateral lines are receiving far too much wastewater downstream from the septic tank and are saturating your yard. You might even find puddles or raw sewage on your lawn, which is a dangerous environmental hazard.

If treated and maintained properly, your septic system will last you several decades. However, it's important that you don't let common septic tank problems decrease the system's lifespan. If you suspect a clog, tree root infiltration or a tank leak, reach out to your local septic tank repair service for help. Not every septic tank service provides pumping services but most locations do septic tank repairs.

Getting Your Septic Tank-Fixed

Check the websites of your local health department and state environmental agency to learn what procedures you need to follow for repairing or replacing a septic system you may even find a list of licensed repair companies.

Call a couple and schedule visits. Or, if you have an advanced treatment system with an annual maintenance contract, call the company that’s overseeing your system already.

If you need major septic work, contact your local health department or environmental agency, which may be able to help you find affordable financing or provide tax credits for the work. Some municipalities use money received through the federal Clean Water Act to help finance septic system repairs by offering low-interest loans.

5 Simple Steps Toward Repairing Your Damaged Septic Tank

Repairing your septic tank can be quite an expensive endeavor. Noticing faults early enough can help you save a lot of money by stopping issues from getting worse. Be attentive to notice the signs of an imminent tank repair. Many homeowners downplay the disastrous effect of household cleaning chemicals have on the overall health of their septic tank and septic system. Try using more organically friendly "green" type cleaning products when cleaning your sinks and toilets. This one step alone will go a long way toward increasing the lifespan of your system and tank.

Below are some steps to repairing your septic tank;

1. Remove any objects that may be causing blockage

Anything that gets stuck in pipes. From small animals to debris that flows through and can't get out, to wipes and condoms. First, you may purchase a plumber's snake and try to push out the object. Sometimes, it’s that simple.

2. If using a plumber's snake doesn't do the job, then you may have to dig the soil and open the septic tank lid for full access to the problem area.

3. Large debris can block the drain when trying to flow out. It’s easy for plants and tree roots to grow in a tank. If you notice any, you may have to use a tool like a hydro-jetter to cut up the plants or roots into small pieces so they can flow out freely with the water.

4. Septic tank lids are usually made from concrete and can become weak or cracked after some years due to exposure to weather, ground moisture, and caustic sewage liquids. If you notice that your septic tank lid or cover has a problem, make an effort to get it fixed as they can sometimes cost a fortune to replace. One of the ways by which you can repair your lid is to simply scrape any build up by using a wire brush or garden spade scraping tool.

5. You can repair a crack on the lid by purchasing a concrete crack kit or using special Quickrete brand hydraulic cement and following the instructions on the kit to obtain the perfect mix with water and sand. Holes in the top of the cover or lid can also be repaired using this method with mortar or cement mix and a plastic form to hold the material until set through curing and the heat of hydration.

Pour the specially mixed filler into the cracked areas of the lid. Be careful to pour the filler deep into the entire crack(s) and let it dry.

Septic tank repairs can sometimes be avoided if proper septic system and septic tank maintenance schedules are adhered to and carried out in a timely fashion. One factor alone stands above the rest. How often you pump your septic tank is the most important task that should be done on a consistent basis without fail.

Keeping your tank or cesspool relatively clean and free of harsh chemicals and clogs will go a long way toward not having to do major repair work on your septic tank or other integral parts of the entire onsite wastewater treatment system.

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