By KaliAntye at Shutterstock

Your septic tank is one of the more complex aspects of your plumbing system. Typically, a residential septic tank is buried deep underground, which makes detecting problems troublesome.

If there’s a problem, it’s generally necessary to excavate the tank, empty its contents, perform the repairs, and clean the mess. It’s a messy, lengthy process. That’s why learning the early warning signs of septic tank trouble can really save you some hassle.

If you want to avoid a full-blown sewage cleanup situation, we recommend educating yourself about the troubling signs a septic tank may present. The sooner you catch the problem, the more money you’ll save, after all!

Warning Signs of a Septic Tank Failure

If you’re able to identify the warning signs of a septic tank failure and schedule sewage cleanup early, you’ll find the whole ordeal is easily managed.

Be warned, however, that raw sewage is incredibly dangerous. It contains countless types of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that lead to serious illness and infection. You don’t want to risk your health. Even minor dermatological contact or inhalation can lead to long-term illness. That’s why, after a septic tank disaster, hiring a local restoration for sewage cleanup company is a must.

• Gurgling Sounds – While in the bathroom, you might notice a gurgling noise coming from the toilet when you flush or from the drain when you run the faucet. This noise is not common. It’s generally a sign that your septic tank is full and ready to leak.
• Slow Drainage – If there’s an issue with the septic tank, every drain in your home will run slow. The line is clogged and the water or waste from your home has nowhere to go for the time being.
• Flushing Troubles – Your toilet leads directly to the septic tank. If you find that flushing is problematic, as in the water simply won’t go down the drain, it might be a clog or a sewage backup already.
• Foul Smells – Of course, sewage stinks. If you notice a foul, rotten egg-like odor coming from your drains — particularly in the bathroom — it’s often because the septic tank is leaking back up through the system and into your home. It won’t be long before a serious sewage backup occurs.
• Standing Water – Standing water, both in your yard and home, can be a sign that the septic tank is leaking. In the yard, you’ll notice brown-colored, smelly water near the tank’s location. In your home, the pooling water will appear in the bathtub, sink, or overflow the toilet.

As you can see, there are numerous warning signs for when your septic tank begins to fail. Listen to these signs. It’s easy to ignore slow drainage or an odd gurgling sound. Try not to, though.

For 24-hour sewage cleanup, contact your local Restoration 1. We provide 24/7 restoration services for homeowners like you!