Usually, you don’t have to deal with sewage, but when your septic tank floods your yard, you have no choice but to face it head-on. It’s important to fix your septic tank right away to prevent further septic problems. Here’s why your septic tank may have flooded and what you should do to get it fixed.
Why Septic Tanks Flood
There are a number of reasons why septic tanks flood, but the most common cause is a simple clog in a pipe. So how do these clogs build up? Sometimes it happens somewhat naturally, but drain clogs are most often a result of improper toilet or sink usage. If you’re flushing things down the toilet that aren’t designed to be flushed, they won’t degrade properly and can build up in pipes. Here are some of the most common causes of drain clogs:
- Cotton balls
- “Flushable” wipes
- Paper towels
- Diapers
- Cotton swabs
- Dental floss
- Feminine hygiene products
Clogs aren’t the only cause of septic system problems. If a sewer line collapses or separates, it can cause your septic system to leak or overflow as a result. This problem needs to be fixed as soon as possible because it will continue to progress and affect other parts of your plumbing.
Signs
Since septic tanks are buried in your yard somewhere, that’s where you’ll see signs of a septic system flood. You may smell sewage odors in your yard or notice that the ground feels a bit squishier than usual. Calling a plumber as soon as possible to address this problem will prevent problems in your drain field and ultimately prolong the life of your septic system.
What to Do
If you suspect your septic system is overflowing or leaking into your yard, your first course of action should be to call a plumbing professional who provides septic service. The gases inside a septic tank are very dangerous, so you should never work on a septic system unless you’re a licensed professional and have another professional with you.
Do you have septic system problems at your Cahokia, IL, home? Call the plumbing professionals at Morrison Plumbing, Heating and Cooling and have us take a look. With nearly 30 years of experience, we can figure out the root of your septic problem and get everything fixed up, so the problem doesn’t get any worse.
