SEPTIC SEWER BACK UP REASONS

ALERT!!!

Septic Sewer Backup

Are you experiencing any septic-sewer backup issues? Your septic-sewer system has failed - water has backed up into the shower, the toilets will not flush, and/or drains will not drain!

It is going the wrong way!  Sewer Backup. Or - untreated effluent is surfacing on the ground. 

SUSPICIOUS DRAIN FIELD BEHAVIOUR

• There are odors or persistent wet spots over the septic field.

• The plumbing becomes sluggish over a period of time, or when it is used heavily, or during wet months. 

• Problems persist even though the septic tank has been pumped recently.

• Areas of the septic field are bubbling.

• Beware of problems that can arise from high-pressure flushing of old drainage lines…this can have a negative effect:  plugging lines - collapsing lines. Flushing lines are a short-term solution to a much bigger problem that can exist!!! 

“DRAIN FIELD FAILURE IS THE MOST SERIOUS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE”! 

TWO DEGREES OF DRAIN FIELD FAILURE

1.  Partial Failure:  Here the drain field will work during dry weather, but with heavy rains ( or high household use), the septic system is overloaded. 

2. Complete Failure:  WORST case scenario. Here no remedial steps can be taken with the present drain field. 

OTHER PROBABLE CAUSES OF FAILURE

1.  The sewage pipe between the house and the tank is blocked or broken. 

2. Either the inlet or outlet tee is blocked or broken or blocked.

3. The line between the septic tank and the drain field is blocked or broken.

4. If the septic system has a pump, there may have been an electrical or mechanical failure.

5. The septic tank itself is blocked with solids or has collapsed.

6. The septic drain field is flooded due to heavy rains and flooding. 

7. The septic drain field is partially or completely clogged with solids or roots. 

SEPTIC SYSTEM REPAIR

If feasible and it is an old system, it is possible it could be upgraded or do a simple septic repair using existing components of your current septic system to keep costs down.

1.  Cleaning the distribution pipe in the trench may work if things have not progressed too far.  Snake out with a Roto-Rooter. 

2. If caused by roots, dig up a section and look.  Remove invasive trees and plants.  Roto-Rooter pipes.  Consider removing invasive trees and plants.  The drain field may recover as dead roots decay. 

3. Cut water usage in half, if possible.

4. Replace any damaged/broken sewer pipes.

5. Update septic tank.

6. Improve overall drainage.

DO YOU NEED A SEPTIC REPAIR?

IS IT JUST A PLUGGED TOILET?

I receive many calls from customers that their toilet is plugged!  Their toilet is bubbling, slow flushing…a bad smell is coming from it!  It is just not flushing properly.

MANY times a simple plugged toilet is the sign of a much bigger problem: 

1.  This toilet is just plugged with too much paper or a toy fell in? 

2. The septic system is about to backup, because the system is completely plugged. Due to, the customer has been flushing fat down the drain and toilet. 

3. The septic system has never had any maintenance, small septic repairs or upgrades. 

4. The septic system is too old and now needs a complete new septic field and tank system installed. 

It is so important for the customers to understand how to use and properly maintain their septic systems.  Call for a consult to properly diagnose the problem and perhaps a small septic repair is all that is necessary, rather than a completely new septic installation. 

REMEDIES FOR COMPLETELY FAILED DRAIN FIELDS

Hire a professional to come to your septic site to diagnose the degree of your problem. 

Get a Free Consult from AMA Excavation, Drainage & Septic