We are fortunate to live and work in beautiful West Sussex. Our rural location means that many of our clients depend on septic tanks as mains sewers are not an option. With regular emptying, septic tanks are mainly dependable. But, like anything, as they get older, they can deteriorate, and septic tank problems can occur. So in this week’s article, we’re exploring what those problems might be.
Septic Tank Problems:
Firstly, let’s look at how you might discover you have septic tank problems. There are some tell-tale signs:
Bad smells can be the first early warning sign that your existing septic system is not functioning. But if you see pooling water at surface level or even lush green grass around where your tank sits, it could be a sign that things need investigating.
Signs to watch out for inside your home or rural work premises are drains backing up or toilets not flushing properly.
Blockages:
Blockages are usually reasonably straightforward when caused by introducing materials a septic system doesn’t like. Drainage rods will easily dislodge blockages caused by nappies, face wipes and sanitary products.
Tree roots can also cause blockages, and these are trickier to deal with but not impossible! Blockages caused by tree roots must be addressed before the whole system becomes undermined.
Overflowing:
The most common reason for an overflowing septic tank is that it needs emptying! So do check your maintenance schedule to find out when it was last emptied.
However, there can be other reasons for this septic tank problem. Sometimes, your local water table can rise after significant rainfall, meaning a septic tank might drain more slowly. Overflowing can also be the result of a blockage (see above).
You may also need to consider the size of your drainage field. If you have extended your property or work premises in recent years, you may not have considered the effects this might have on your septic system. Nevertheless, we can help you resolve any issues by increasing the size of your drainage field, as necessary.
As a West Sussex based groundworks company, we have a wealth of experience in dealing with septic systems.
If you are having problems with your system, we are happy to carry out a visual inspection, or you can even send us a photo that may help us diagnose the fault. Contact us HERE.
