How to Check Your Septic Tank for Problems

Septic tanks are designed to last for many decades, but that doesn’t mean you can simply drop one in the ground and forget about it, trusting it will handle anything you throw at it. Septic systems fail all the time, and often they do so without warning. Usually it’s because one of the pipes gets clogged with solid matter and starts to back up into your home’s plumbing. Other times the cause is more natural: the ground has shifted so much that one of the pipes has bent or cracked. Sometimes the culprit is a nearby tree whose roots have grown around the drain pipes. And other times it’s just because you’re flushing too much; the system is taking on more wastewater than it was ever meant to handle.

A broken or malfunctioning septic tank can be a serious problem. Wastewater that isn’t properly contained and treated by a septic system will eventually find its way back to the surface or into local water supplies. From there it can spread disease, foul odors, toxic chemicals, and other contaminants that harm wildlife and pollute the environment. And for homeowners, fixing or replacing a failed septic system can cost upwards of $15,000. That’s in addition to the inconvenience of not having a fully operational wastewater system while repairs are ongoing.

Ignoring a problem will only make it worse. To avoid having a minor septic tank problem grow into a calamity that wrecks your savings, you should be on the lookout for any signs that things aren’t working as they should be.

Here are some common warning signs that your septic tank may be in need of repair:

•   Water pooling above septic tank or drain field: This is the most obvious sign of a septic tank problem. If there’s no natural reason for water to be forming in a specific spot in your yard then the source is probably the septic tank. If the standing water is accompanied by a nasty smell then that’s pretty much a guarantee your septic tank has a wastewater leak or drainage failure.

•   Sinks, bathtubs, and toilets draining slowly: This is a sign that the sewage line is clogged or impeded. Often this will be accompanied by the foul smell of open sewage and wastewater. If left untreated the clog may eventually become a full blockage, in which case wastewater would begin to back up into your home’s plumbing system and, in the most extreme cases, flood your home.

•   Unusually lush grass over the drain field: Wastewater is meant to filter down into ground water rather than up to the surface above the septic system. If your grass is especially green around your septic tank or drain field then there is likely an abundance of water and nutrients in the soil. Unless you’ve planted fertilizer there, chances are your septic system is leaking untreated wastewater into the drain field.

•   Other signs of septic tank problems include algal blooms in nearby ponds or lakes, or foul odors in and around the drain field. If you have a water well and your test samples show high levels of nitrates, nitrites, or coliform bacteria, that may also be a sign of wastewater contamination. (It’s worth noting: Well water should be tested once a year for signs of bacterial or toxic contamination, especially if you’re not on a municipal sewer line.)

How to Diagnose Your Septic Tank Problem

These are all symptoms that your septic tank has problems, but how can you locate the source of the problem? In some cases, specific symptoms mean specific problems, indicating a leak or a blockage at a certain point in the septic network. Here are some of the most common problems and how you can tell if it fits your circumstances:

Clogged sewer line: If the pipeline that runs from your house to the septic tank is clogged with solid matter it will result in slower draining from your home’s sinks and toilets. This is a common problem and can usually be remedied by running an augur or a “snake” through the sewer line to loosen the matter. If this doesn’t work the pipeline might be crushed, dented, or penetrated by tree roots, which would slow the passage of wastewater. Such an issue may require a more expensive repair, as you’ll probably have to replace a portion of the sewage line.

Drain field failure: One of the more serious septic system problems is when the entire drain field—the area around the tank that releases treated sewage into the ground water—has become inundated with solid or untreated wastewater. This problem usually presents itself with wastewater pooling in or around the drain field, accompanied by the foul smell of open sewage. If the system is especially saturated, wastewater may begin to back up into the home. There are a number of reasons why the drain field could fail: Maybe the system has reached the end of its lifespan, or maybe the field is just saturated with too much wastewater—perhaps due to a recent flood or a tank that’s too small to handle the flushing and draining habits of the home. Whatever the cause, it probably means you’ll need to replace or upgrade the current septic system.

Clogged inlet baffle: The inlet baffle is the pipe that releases wastewater into the tank. It’s angled downward, submerged beneath the wastewater surface so as to prevent scum from entering the inlet pipe. If this line gets clogged—usually because of too much solid waste getting flushed into the sewer line—then it may cause wastewater to back up into the home. Some septic tanks provide access to the inlet baffle, allowing you to inspect the line directly and clear it of any hard matter using a rod or augur. If not, you’ll have to hire a professional to clear the line. In any case, it’s not the most expensive remedy for a malfunctioning septic tank.

Clogged outlet baffle: Similar to an inlet baffle, the outlet baffle is meant to prevent surface scum from exiting the septic tank and entering the drain field. If it gets clogged with hard matter wastewater may back up into the home or pool on the surface of the drain field, creating some noxious odors in the area. If this happens it’s usually because the tank is overburdened—there’s too much wastewater passing through in a short period of time. You’ll need to clear out the outlet baffle to fix the problem, but the best way to avoid the issue altogether is to have your tank regularly pumped for solid matter. You should also avoid flushing solid waste and try not to overtax your home’s plumbing.

When in Doubt, Hire a Pro

None of these remedies are meant to be considered in lieu of hiring a professional. Septic systems are deceptively complicated, and their repair is not always a matter of simply unclogging a drain. Homeowners who don’t know what they’re doing risk worsening the problems by attempting a temporary or incomplete fix. As such, you should only rely on licensed septic technicians or contractors to diagnose a septic tank problem. They are the ones who can be trusted to properly repair or replace a broken septic system. Of course, repairing a septic tank can be an expensive project, usually because it requires digging up and replacing pipelines. Making matters more complicated, you may not be able to use your home’s plumbing while repairs are taking place.

To avoid the hassle of a costly repair you should treat your septic system—as well as your home’s plumbing—with respect. It’s not a garbage disposal. Septic tanks are not meant to treat or process solid waste or trash. Avoid ever flushing dental floss, cotton swabs, diapers, band-aids, cigarette butts, cat litter, cooking oil, medication, or household chemicals. If you’re in doubt about whether or not it’s safe to flush something, just don’t.

You also need to routinely inspect and pump your septic system. Inspections should occur at least once a year, and the tank should be pumped every two or three years, depending on it size and use.

Proper maintenance, smart flushing habits, and a keen awareness of what your system can handle may mean the difference between minor upkeep and an environmental calamity that drains your savings.