Learning About Septic Services

Three Reasons To Never Let Your Septic Tank Overflow

25 November 2020

Rose Austin

Having a septic tank requires a certain level of commitment from a homeowner. Unlike standard sewer systems, where the pipes carry away waste to the municipal sewage plant, septic systems only carry them as far as the septic tank, located somewhere in your yard. If you've been tempted to skip an appointment for septic tank maintenance or simply haven't scheduled one in a long time, it may be time to make a change. Here's what you could be facing if you don't.

Flood the Yard

One of the most common problems with septic tanks not being serviced is that they often overflow as a result. Regular septic tank cleaning and pumping can prevent this from ever happening, but when these services are neglected, the tank fills continuously. Over time, if enough waste leaves your home, it can result in the tank reaching its maximum capacity and then going beyond it. At this point, anything that goes down the drain will pour out of the tank and into your yard. It will usually result in your yard being fully saturated in waste, which is not only disgusting and smelly, but also dangerous for you and your family to be around.

Damage the Pipes

Another big problem is that if the tank gets to the point where it's overflowing or practically overflowing, chances are that there's already been damaged done to some of the tank's peripheral pipes. Small pipes are attached to the top of the tank that are designed to carry away filtered liquid. This is why septic tanks typically don't need to be fully emptied for years, rather than months. However, these pipes can become damaged once a tank is that full.

If these pipes are damaged, they won't be able to perform their job anymore, and the tank will suffer from an even worse overflow. At this point, even if your tank is emptied, you may need to have these pipes replaced.

Full Replacement

Unlike other plumbing devices, septic tanks are installed in one piece and aren't typically designed to be replaced part-by-part. This means that if your tank is damaged from being overfilled and the drainage pipes can't perform their job, you may need an all new tank. The cost of removing the old tank, clearing away any yard damage, and putting in a new tank will be expensive without a doubt. It's also unlikely that your insurance company will cover it if they can prove that this happened because of a  lack of regular maintenance. In this situation, you'll have to foot the bill yourself, and that could mean spending thousands of dollars.

Septic tank maintenance may require a slight time commitment from you, but it's shorter, easier, and far less expensive to commit to this rather than waiting and ruining your septic tank. If you need an appointment, contact a septic tank professional like one at Linn Septic Service today.

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