5 Signs You Should Replace Your Septic Tank

Your home’s septic system is a complex network of pumps, tanks, lines, and pipes. A problem with any single component can spell disaster for the entire thing. Of all the parts that comprise any property’s septic system, one of the most critical is the septic tank. If your tank is damaged, it’s important to get it replaced right away.

Here at Avalanche Services, we’re proud to offer a wide range of septic system services, including full septic tank replacement. How do you know when your septic tank is failing, though? What are the warning signs to watch out for? And what kind of problems can a broken tank cause?

How to Know If It’s Time to Get a New Septic Tank

Sewage Backup 

The first and most obvious sign that your septic system needs an overhaul comes when you experience sewage backup. Sewage backup occurs when your home’s waste is pushed back through the sewer line, resulting in sink, bathtub drain, and toilet overflows.

Though sometimes caused by a clog or blockage, sewage backup may also indicate that the tank is no longer functioning correctly. In either case, it’s important to call a professional as soon as possible, before the problem gets worse.

Slow Drains

A more subtle but no less telltale sign of a poorly functioning septic system is a slowed flow of water throughout your home’s plumbing. In other words, if you notice that your sinks, showers, or bathtubs are draining more slowly than they used to, there’s a good chance the culprit is an overloaded or broken septic tank.

Like sewage backup, a slow water flow can sometimes be the result of a simple clog, especially if only one drain seems to have this problem. If two or more drains in your are working sluggishly, though, this usually means that either septic tank repairs or a total replacement will be required.

A close-up of a patch of grass that is darker than the grass next to it

Patchwork Grass

If you’re concerned about septic system issues, it’s important to keep an eye on the outside of your home as well as the inside. For example, if you notice that certain areas of your lawn seem to be growing greener or faster, that could be a sign of septic tank leakage, with your home’s sewage acting as fertilizer.

Aside from making your yard look like a patchwork of mismatched dark and light spots, septic leakage is unsanitary and can create even more problems if left uncorrected, such as contaminated drinking water or the next item on this list, standing water.

Standing Water

When septic system leakage seeps out into the soil of your property, it can quickly make its way to the surface, forming pools or puddles of standing water in your lawn with seemingly no explanation. These pools may be similar to those that might form after heavy rainstorms. However, they are much more harmful.

Standing water from an overflowing septic tank contains harmful bacteria that can be dangerous not only to your grass or garden, but also to human and animal health. The weight of this water can also create an undue burden on your septic system, exacerbating its issues.

Foul Odors

One of the most unpleasant signs of a septic tank that needs replacing is the foul odor that can result from raw sewage leaking from the system. If you notice a persistent stench similar to sulfur or rotten eggs in or around your home, you should get professional help immediately.

This can go hand-in-hand with any of the other problems outlined above, or it can be isolated. If you notice a disagreeable stink whenever you step outside, but you don’t notice any standing water or patchwork grass, that doesn’t mean your septic system isn’t the problem.

Call Avalanche Services to Service Your Septic Tank Now

For more than 30 years, Avalanche Services has been helping people repair, replace, and maintain their septic systems. Our expert team members have the knowledge and experience necessary to identify the causes of a broken or malfunctioning septic system.

If you need septic tank replacements, don’t wait for the situation to get worse. Call Avalanche Services today and let us put our expertise to work for you.

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