Septic tank maintenance

septic tank overflow

What to do when your septic tank overflows

This article will cover septic systems and septic tanks that overflow. When you have your own home, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Bills? Where to send your kids to school in the area? Where the market is? What plants would you want to have in your yard? Will you have dogs, cats, or birds for pets?

These are very common questions you have running through your head when you have your own space. You just have to know what to do about the available spaces that you have for yourself. But do you know how to take care of the home that you now have? Do you know what to do when your septic tank overflows?

Part of caring for your new home is to maintain your septic tank. The septic tank is one half of a reliable system of wastewater treatment that’s designed and built for your home. The septic system is composed of the septic tank and the drain field but it’s the septic tank that needs extra attention. The drain field suffers if the tank is neglected. It is prone to overflow which is caused by so many things.

Septic system overflow is usually brought out by heavy rains especially when the gutter is directed to drain over the septic tank. The water load increases drastically and is even worsened if you do your laundry when it’s raining outside. This would be remedied if there’s a dry well that could collect the grey water from the washing machine or dishwasher. Other homeowners would want to have their septic tank pumped out as heavy rains ensue but this is a bad idea. Doing this would just let in the mud and sediments that will clog the entire system. Wait for the rains to cease and then call your septic expert to help you with your septic tank.

If you have a feeling that there are leaks progressing in your septic system, might as well call your septic expert to help you remedy them. These leaks might have been caused by deterioration through years of use. These parts should already be replaced. Damage of the septic component may be caused by the heavy weight of the construction or vehicles placed over the septic tank. Avoid driving over or building anything over your septic tank. Any damage should immediately be attended to by your septic expert.

The regular pump out sessions should be maintained to prevent the septic tank overflow. When the septic tank is neglected, the sludge layer increases, leaving no room for the wastewater to be treated properly. Overflow happens and this results to health and sanitation problems. The untreated wastewater then backs up into your home or overflows onto your yard. The odors that come from this problem are very toxic and very off-putting. When your septic expert pumps out your septic tank, a license is needed for the sludge to be properly disposed of. Of the septic expert is not certified or licensed, then you will have to answer to the law.

If your septic tank overflows because of trees and plants over or near the tank, you should ask the help of your septic expert to move them to an area far away from your septic system area. The invasive roots of these hardwood plants penetrate, clog, or damage the septic tank. The wastewater then overflows because it has nowhere else to go.

Another common cause of septic tank overflow is the dumping of non-biodegradable materials and grease into the system. These only stay in the tank to fill up the spaces meant for the incoming wastewater. They cannot be broken down at all. Be a responsible homeowner and avoid doing this practice even if you have a garbage disposal unit.

As much as possible, you should use environment-friendly or bacteria-friendly cleaning agents. You should always make sure that you care for the resident bacteria because they are the ones that break down the solid waste materials. It would prevent septic tank overflow is the bacteria are present to accomplish their job.

Coordinate with you septic expert to help you with any level of septic tank overflow that you may be having. Also take note that prevention is always better than cure. We hope this article helped the reader cover septic systems and septic tanks that overflow.