Why Is My Septic Tank Backing Up—and How We Fix It
Having your septic tank backing up is a common but serious problem. If ignored, your septic tank can be damaged, resulting in costly repairs. It’s important to know how you can identify this issue and what you can do to resolve it. That way, you don’t have to worry about a septic replacement or high repair bills.
In this article, we’ll discuss the common signs of a septic tank backup. Then, we’ll explain the causes of these issues. We’ll walk you through how to handle these situations, and we’ll inform you of how our trusted team at FreeFlow Environmental can fix your septic tank concerns. Let’s dive in.
What Causes a Septic Tank to Back Up?
There are many reasons why your septic tank is backing up. From needing its routine pumping to tree roots clogging your sewer line, it’s important to know what the causes of your septic tank concerns can be. Learn more about the many causes of your septic tank may back up below, and feel free to reach out to our experts at FreeFlow Environmental if you have any further questions.
1. Lack of Pumping
Your septic tank needs to be emptied around every 3 to 5 years. If you’re dealing with slow drainage, sewage backup, or another concern, it could very well be that you need septic pumping. This service will provide you with a fresh start, ensuring you can enjoy a healthy septic system.
2. Unsafe Products
Many homeowners believe that everything is flushable or drainable. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Flushing wipes, hygiene products, or draining grease and solid foods can cause septic tank issues. This will result in slow drainage, sewage backups, and many more problems.
3. Heavy Rain or Flooding
Heavy rain or flooding can oversaturate your drainfield, causing you many concerns. If you’re experiencing odd or foul smells and odors, you’ll want to reach out to a professional right away. You should never try to fix any septic problems by yourself, as you may injure yourself or accidentally cause severe damage to your system.
4. Cracked or Collapsed Pipes
As your septic system ages, pipes will crack or collapse altogether. This can cause severe backups, slow drainage, gurgling sounds, and more. While this is a normal septic tank issue that many homeowners face, you never want to delay a pipe repair or replacement.
5. Clogged Drain Field
Your septic tank relies on your drainfield for soil absorption. However, if there is a solid or grease blockage affecting your soil absorption, you’ll experience concerns with your drainfield. This can come in the form of foul odors, wet spots, or unusually green grass near your field.
6. Tree Root Infiltration
Finally, trees often expand their roots throughout the years. This can result in roots breaking through or entering your septic system. Tree root infiltration can cause severely clogged sewer lines or damage your septic tank. However, you won’t know if this is the case unless you get a professional inspection of your septic system.
Immediate Steps You Should Take
If you’ve noticed the signs of a septic tank backing up, you’ll want to take immediate action. First, you’ll want to stop using your water immediately. Next, avoid trying to pump your septic tank by yourself. This can cause even more damage to your septic tank, and you may risk injury. Instead, you’ll want to call a professional to schedule your services. While waiting for your trusted professional, you’ll want to keep children and pets away from the area, and avoid using chemical additives or drain cleaners.
How Our Team Fixes Septic Backups
It’s important to know what to expect when scheduling your septic tank repair services. Here at FreeFlow Environmental, we keep our process straightforward and completely transparent. No matter what your septic tank needs, we’ll walk you through every step. Below, we’ve listed ways we’ll fix your septic tank issues.
Full System Inspection: Our team begins every service with an estimate and inspection. This helps us assess the situation and the condition of your septic tank. Whether you have clogged sewer lines leading to your septic tank or you need septic pumping, we’ll find the right solutions for you.
Tank Pumping & Cleaning: If your septic tank is backing up, it could be simply time for septic pumping. This is a service that should be done routinely, so you can prevent any backups, flooding, and more concerns with your septic tank. Routine septic maintenance can ensure you have a long-lasting septic system.
Repair or Replace Damaged Components: Sometimes, your sewer lines to your septic tank can be damaged or collapsed. Our team works hard to find the best solutions for your septic system, whether that’s a septic repair or replacement. Plus, we ensure timely and non-invasive solutions.
Drain field Restoration or Replacement: If you have problems with your drain field, our team is happy to help. We’ll restore or replace your drain field, so you don’t have to worry. You can rely on us when your soil absorption fails.
Upgrades for Long-Term Prevention: Our team at FreeFlow Environmental wants to help you ensure that you’ve got a safe and effective septic system. This includes every detail, from new filters to a new septic tank. You can trust in our team to find the best solutions for your property.
How to Prevent Future Septic Issues
By taking proactive steps, you can prevent having to deal with a septic tank backing up. You’ll also be able to ensure a lengthy lifespan for your entire septic system. Learn more about the ways you can prevent septic tank issues below, and feel free to reach out to our experts at FreeFlow Environmental if you have any further questions.
Routine Maintenance and Inspections: Regular pumping, maintenance, and inspections will help you ensure your septic tank lasts as long as possible. Plus, you’ll be able to catch any minor problems before they become major concerns, saving you money in the long run.
Only Flush Septic-Safe Materials: Most of the time, clogged sewer lines and other damages are caused by flushing materials that are not septic safe. This can include wipes, hygiene products, grease, and more. To prevent this issue from happening, you will want to only flush septic-safe products.
Keep Trees and Heavy Vehicles Off Drainfield: Tree roots and heavy vehicles can cause your drainfield to sag and therefore flood. You’ll want to prevent this by making sure that you keep heavy objects away from your drainfield. That way, you won’t have to worry.
Use Water Efficiently: Sometimes, using your water for long periods of time can overload your septic tank and cause many issues. To prevent this, you need to use your water more efficiently. Avoid extremely long uses of your hose, sink, shower, and more to prolong overloading your septic tank.
Let’s Review How to Deal With Your Septic Tank Concerns
In conclusion, there are many causes of your septic tank backing up. With problems like lack of pumping, clogged drainfields, tree root infiltration, flushing unsafe items, heavy rain or flooding, and cracked or collapsed pipes, it’s important to be prepared to handle any concerns. You’ll want to stop using your water and call a professional immediately to find the best solutions for your septic tank repair.
Fortunately, our team at FreeFlow Environmental offer comprehensive solutions to fix your septic tank. With our dependable full-scale camera inspections, we can determine the exact cause of your septic tank issues. Then, we’ll help you determine if you need septic pumping and cleaning, damaged components repaired or replaced, your drainfield repaired or replaced, or routine upgrades to provide longevity for your septic system. You can rely on our team to find the perfect solutions for your home.
In addition, there are many things you can do to avoid any damage or blockage in your septic system. By using your water efficiently to prevent overloading your tank, keeping trees and heavy vehicles away from your drainfield, only flushing and draining septic-safe items, and scheduling routine maintenance and inspections, you can strengthen your septic system and enjoy many years of problem-free drainage.
Is Your Septic Tank Backing Up? Call FreeFlow Environmental Today!
Are you worried about your septic tank backing up? FreeFlow Environmental is here to help! Our trustworthy and courteous team is your local expert in septic tank solutions! We’ll start with a complete noninvasive video inspection, so we can determine exactly what the problem is. Then, we’ll offer our best recommendations. Our team provides complete transparency and honest prices with each of our services. We’ll complete your septic pumping, repair, or replacement in a timely manner, so you don’t have to worry. You can trust in our crew.
Let’s get started on your septic tank services today! Schedule your camera inspection with our specialists at FreeFlow Environmental.
