Signs Your Septic Tank Might Need to Be Replaced

Most septic tank replacements actually don’t come from owners mismanaging their tanks or not engaging in good habits. Most of them come from a new, first time home buyer purchasing property from someone else and they inherit an older septic system. 

Today, we’re going to be talking about some of the warning signs that might be there that’ll let you know that your tank is older and possibly in need of being replaced entirely. Let’s jump right in. 

Stinky, unusual yards

Two telltale signs of an expiring tank are some interesting odors coming from the leach field and brighter than normal grass. If you smell something that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, it’s not a good sign and likely that some sort of raw sewage has leaked from the tank or pipes. Also if you notice grass is really green and growing really fast in that one area – that could be an equally bad sign. This is usually a sign that that particular area is getting more fertilizer – which often times is coming from waste leaking into the soil. 

Drainage issues

If You’re noticing that you toilet is flushing really slowly or that your kitchen or bathroom sink, bathtub or shower is draining at a substantially slower than usual pace – it could mean your septic tank is failing. Now that being said, this could be just a sign of clogged pipes or a full tank – in which there’s no need to panic – but in many cases – slow draining can be a sign of failure. 

Water contamination

One of the most ominous signs of a declining tank can be well water contamination. If you get your water tested and it shows signs of nitrates, bacteria or other contaminants, you might need to replace your entire system. If bacteria is leaking into your water supply, it can pose a serious health risk to you and your family and must be addressed immediately. 

Soggy leach fields

When your tank was installed it was placed into an area called a leach field. While it’s not unusual for this area to have a little drainage relative to others; if you notice it’s excessively soggy for long periods of time – there could be a crack, rupture or severe drainage issue at hand – all of which could mean tank failure. If you notice the leach field is soggy constantly for more than a few weeks – call a professional immediately. 

While an expiring septic system is the last thing any of us want to deal with – it sure beats the consequences of ignoring it. Pay attention for these signs and if you notice any of them – call a professional immediately.