What to Do if Your Septic System is Leaking

Last week, we talked about ways to tell if your septic system is leaking. If this happens, all is not lost. It’s easy to get your system back on track by taking a few important steps. These measures will detail what to do if your septic system is leaking.

Steps to Solve Septic System Issues

Fixing any problem with your septic system requires that you poke around a bit. Just remember to be detailed in your observations and not cut corners to avoid causing damage to your property or harm to yourself.

Easy Does It

It might be tempting, but don’t pump the water from your septic tank right away. Septic systems handle wastewater, so the tank may well contain bacteria you don’t want to trudge through and contain waterborne diseases that will easily spread from person to person.

Inspect Your System

If you’re not well-acquainted with your septic system, you’re about to be. Figure out where exactly your tank is on your property. This is an important step in determining the cause of septic problems, as water could be spilling from here or somewhere else in the system.

From here, determine the depth of the drain field by sticking a metal rod into the ground. Tanks are usually only two to three feet from the surface. Along the way, you might notice issues as you inspect the septic tank and drain field. If there’s a problem, you’ll see it manifest as holes in the soil.

Pump the Septic Tank

With a little more information in hand, you’re one step closer to figuring out what to do if your septic is leaking. Determine the groundwater situation and prepare to take restorative action.

Grab a few tools to measure the depth of the groundwater, such as a soil probe or an auger, and stay within 10 feet of the tank and 20 feet from the drain field for an accurate reading. If the top of your septic tank is three feet or more above the water table, yet the drain field is saturated, it’s time to pump the tank. Technicians should be careful to leave at least half of the water in the tank (the tank itself may float upward), and prepare for the likelihood that water will spill from the drain field.

Pumping the septic tank is essential to the overall health of the system. Waste that builds over time must be flushed out to reduce stress on the tank and improve system longevity.

General Fixes and Septic Maintenance

Regular plumbing maintenance keeps your septic system running efficiently and minimizes damaging effects when issues occur. There are several easy maintenance steps and precautions to take with everyday water use.

Reduce – Ensuring a long life for your plumbing means using it less. Reduce your water use in general by taking fewer baths and going to the laundromat. Additionally, shut sinks and showers off completely to avoid dripping and water waste.
Repair – Notice a small problem? Leaking fixtures and running toilets, for instance, add wastewater to the septic tank. Fix these problems quickly to prevent further issues.
Drain – Don’t overwhelm your drain field, as it’s made to only handle normal water use. That’s why both the sump pump and gutters should drain away from the drain field.

Regular maintenance and diligence are essential, and might save you from costly emergency repairs, so don’t take it lightly. Treat your septic system well and it will operate efficiently for years to come.

Terry’s Knows What to Do If Your Septic System is Leaking

Terry’s Plumbing is your one-stop plumbing powerhouse for small issues like sink clogs to bigger ones like what to do if your septic system is leaking. Don’t worry about sewage or a soggy front yard, we’ll fix your septic system for maximum efficiency and safety. Call us or get in touch online to schedule an assessment.