What Is the Most Common Cause of Septic System Failure?

Septic systems have come a long way in the past few decades. While the basic premise is the same, today’s systems can last for a lifetime without running into any issues.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What is the most common cause of septic system failure?” keep reading. This post will teach you everything you need to know:

• Poor design or installation: If the contractor doesn’t consider space requirements, sewage rate flow or soil conditions, the system is bound to fail at some point. The easiest way to avoid this problem is by hiring a reputable contractor for installation.
• Water overload: Another leading cause of septic tank failure is hydraulic overload. When too much water gets into the tank at once, backups can occur and the tank can start to overflow. This often happens after heavy rainfall if the tank is installed in an area with poor water runoff.
• Parking on the tank: Regardless of whether the system was installed correctly or not, you should never park heavy vehicles on the tank or drain field. Doing so puts too much pressure on the system, leading to cracks or other types of damage.
• Negligence: Finally, systems can fail when homeowners are negligent about their septic tanks. Failing to hire a contractor for pumping or general maintenance leads to a world of issues like backups, leaks and many more smelly problems.

How to prevent failure

In addition to hiring a reputable contractor for installation and maintenance, you can do these things on your own to help avoid septic tank failure:

• Watch what you flush: The number one rule to live by if you have a septic system is to only flush waste and toilet paper. Flushing diapers, tooth floss, feminine products, paper towels or anything else can cause serious plumbing problems.
• Avoid the disposal: The garbage disposal is a handy tool to have in the kitchen—but they’re not ideal for homeowners with septic tanks. Food particles that fall down the drain often end up causing clogs somewhere in the septic system, resulting in backups. As a general rule, always use the waste basket when cleaning up after a meal.
• Conserve water: The water overload we mentioned earlier can also occur if a homeowner uses too much water throughout the day. Make a habit of keeping showers short, turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth and being mindful about your laundry machine usage.
• Use safe detergents: Speaking of laundry, be careful about which detergents you’re using. Some detergents aren’t septic-system friendly and can harm the anaerobic bacteria in your septic tank. Be sure to check the detergent’s label when you’re at the store.

What to do if your septic system fails

Following our advice will go a long way in preventing the most common cause of septic system failure. But if something goes wrong, be sure to hire our pros at Cleveland Septic. We specialize in septic system repairs, and we work quickly to address all of our customers’ concerns. So if your system is acting up, call us today to get a quote for repair.

Categorised in: Septic System Maintenance