Skip to content

Septic System Leaking?

Septic systems are a critical part of the sewage treatment process. However, they do have a small failure rate and oftentimes people don’t realize there is a problem until it’s too late. In this article, I am going to talk about the top three reasons why your septic system could be leaking.

 

A septic system is used to filter and clean wastewater before it’s released into the environment. The wastewater enters a septic tank where bacteria work to break down the sludge. Septic tanks have a leach field attached, which is a set of underground pipes that help release the treated water into the ground. There are two different types of septic systems, one or two tank systems. A one-tank system is used when the solid waste does not leave the tank to be treated. Typically these are mainly found in homes that use composting toilets. A two-tank system treats both liquid and solids (sludge), but only the solids leave the tank. This type of system is more common.

Septic Systems

Most of the time, septic systems do not have any problems. Some people are under the impression that they cannot repair a septic tank on their own. However, this is not true. If you are experiencing issues with your septic system it’s important to get them addressed as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea for homeowners to have their septic tanks pumped every three to five years. This will ensure that the tank is working properly and it can prevent major problems from occurring.

1. Partially Clogged Leach Field Lines

A partially clogged leach field line is when sludge, grease, or other solids get stuck in the leach lines. When this happens, wastewater is not able to escape through the ground surface. In some extreme cases, these blockages could lead to backups or overflows. At this point, it has become a serious problem and professional help must be sought out immediately.

2. Corroded Pipes

When water constantly runs through a leach line, it can corrode the pipes until they are structurally compromised. This is one of the most common problems in septic systems. If wastewater can no longer pass through a leach line, the system will inevitably fail.

3. Foundation Cracks

If there are any cracks in the foundation of your home, then that means there are also cracks in your septic tank or leach lines. Wastewater is released into this area when it’s being processed by bacteria within the tank, so if there are holes or fissures here all of that flow could be wasted instead of being properly treated.

After reading this article you should have a better understanding of what can go wrong with a septic system. If you are experiencing any of the problems I described above, call in an expert at Hudson Valley Septic Pros immediately. They can come out and assess your septic tank to see what they can do to help you resolve the problem.