Here is a guide on common septic tank repair options and methods.

After installing a septic tank, one thing remains certain; the tank will need some form of maintenance.

Apart from cleaning or pumping it when desired, the septic tank will need to be repaired at some point as faults are likely to develop throughout its usage.

Here, much of our discussion will be dwelling on septic tank repair. As you read to the end, you should find it very informative and helpful. To repair a septic tank, there should be a clear fault right?

Absolutely! So, how are such problems identified?  Well, there are several ways to know when a septic tank is faulty and these tips will be listed and discussed shortly.

Determining When a Septic Tank Needs Repair

To successfully repair or replace a septic tank, you’ll need to know or identify what the problem is. This might seem a little confusing to the uninitiated (or the layperson) but the good news here is that we’ve got you covered.

Knowing exactly what action is required largely depends on being able to identify certain indicators.

In other words, some symptoms help alert or point to the very problem(s). These will determine whether the tank needs fixing (as well as the extent of the problem) or not.

So, let’s jump into these details and more right-away.

Common Indicators That May Require Septic Tank Repair

When septic tanks are properly installed, they aren’t damage-proof. That means there will need for one kind of maintenance or the other. Now, how do you know when the need for repair arises?

There are basic indicators that point to the need for repair services. These include;

  • Slow Drains and Surfacing Sewage

Slow drains are among the common problems which require fixing. Now, septic tanks with poor or slow drainage point to the tank fixtures among other things.

In normal circumstances, there should be a free flow of wastewater and sewage. When you begin to notice slow drains and sewage popping up, then it’s a pointer to the fact that there’s a problem that needs to be fixed.

  • Gurgling Sounds

Gurgling sounds also help to give you a heads up about the likelihood or need for repair.

These are normally heard in the plumbing system and may either continue indefinitely or for some time after there’s a flush of the toilet. Such sounds aren’t normal and will need to be further investigated.

In most cases, tank repair may be required to fix this problem.

  • Putrid Odors

It is expected that a well-installed septic tank and the system should have a very limited odor which most times aren’t noticeable.

However, such odors only increase as the level of waste (both liquid and solid or sludge) accumulates or rises. The warning bells begin to ring when there’s a sudden and sustained release of putrid odors coming from the septic tank area as well as toilets and drainage systems.

  • Sudden Sewage Backup

While drains are meant to carry waste away, having backups signal the need to carry out some septic maintenance work. In most cases, this situation will point to a full septic tank. Hence, the need to clean or pump the sewage tank becomes the next line of action.

However, sudden sewage backups point to an entirely different problem. This will likely have to do with tank damage.

To find out, the tank needs to be checked and problems fixed or repaired. The sooner this is done, the better.

  • Lush Vegetative Growth and Wet Spots

These conditions are common around faulty septic tanks. Wetness or lush vegetation around drain field areas points to one obvious fact; your septic tank may be leaking its content.

This should be repaired immediately to help prevent the situation from worsening.

Types Of Septic System Repair Services

Having identified the most common indicators which point to the need for septic tank repair, this section will focus on common types of repair services. Once damage or faults are identified and fixed, such septic tanks should further serve for extended periods.

Nevertheless, a tank replacement will be required when such repairs become too frequent.

  • Broken or Defective Seal(s)

Although strong seals are used when building or constructing septic tanks, such seals are likely to get broken or damaged over time. Seals do not only keep the contents in but also guard against the escape of sewer gases which are by-products of waste.

Over time, seals get eroded and will need to be repaired or fixed to keep the contents of the tank from leaking out. It is best not to wait till septic tank seals get broken or damaged. There should be frequent inspections and check-ups every 3 years.

A septic maintenance company should be called for this job. Such companies not only inspect and check for broken seals but also fix the problem. This saves you a lot of stress.

  • Distribution Box Repair

This is another type of septic tank related repair. The distribution box is where drain field pipes connect to the tank.

Without a proper functioning distribution box, the septic tank is hardly functional. This easily causes damage to the septic tank.

  • Damage to Pipes

The proper functioning of septic tanks can’t be divorced from perfectly working pipes. So, when damage is caused to pipes, it must be fixed immediately to limit its effects. Damage can result from burrowing activities of animals or the growth of plants among other things.

Septic maintenance services are well skilled to offer proper repairs.

Septic Tank Issues Necessitating A Fix

There are common problems associated with septic tank maintenance. Such issues are widely reported among homeowners and include clogs, tree roots, and also tank or line leaks. Your septic tank problems may fall into any of these categories.

An inspection will help determine or ascertain the specific nature of the septic tank problem.

  • Clogs

Septic systems are designed to treat waste coming from the drainage. This is held in the tank for bacteria to breakdown before being channeled to the drain field. Now, a problem arises when the system is clogged.

This is mostly traced to the septic tank and is caused by excess solid waste.

Such clogs result in backups as well as slow drains. Now, there’s a tendency to assume that such clogs are due to filled septic tanks which will require pumping or cleaning. However, experience has shown that such isn’t always the case.

Your septic tank may have been pumped recently, as such; it shouldn’t be due for another right? Well, when faced with such a problem, you may be dealing with a clogged system or tank. This will need to be repaired for smooth functioning to be possible.

Clogs can be caused by several factors.

For instance, some items may have been mistakenly flushed down your toilet. These may be non-biodegradable or slow bio-degradable items. As more of these find their way into your septic tank, clogs are likely to result, hence the need for repair.

  • Tree Roots

Tree roots can cause significant damage to septic tanks. Not only are tanks affected, but also sewer pipes. Your septic tank is likely to be wrapped by these roots and pushed or dislodged or holes are drilled into such tanks. Either of these cases will require septic tank repair services.

Such repairs will need to be urgent to prevent the spilled contents of your septic tank from contaminating groundwater. Septic tank repair services will any of the following; the installation of root barriers, soil preparation, the addition of copper sulfate, and video inspections.

What more? Certain tree types must be removed in addition to maintaining the right tree spacing. Let’s explain these further.

  • Installation of Root Barriers

When fixing a septic tank damage caused by roots, such roots are cut back and root barriers installed. This is meant to forestall a repeat of the problem by preventing root incursion.

  • Soil Preparation

Extensive septic tank repair will involve soil preparation. In summary, it simply means the creation of a path of least resistance for roots to follow. Here, roots are channeled or encouraged to grow away from your septic tank.

  • Addition of Copper Sulfate

Another method of septic tank repair includes the killing of roots using copper sulfate which is an effective root killer. Asides from destroying roots, it prevents or discourages further growth.

Copper sulfate can be applied through the toilet quite a few times a year.

  • Video Inspections

Before repairs are carried out on a septic tank, the state of damage is assessed. Now, this can be quite difficult without the right tools. With video inspections, problems are detected much easier and fixed.

  • Removal of Certain Tree Types

Not all trees have similar root systems. Some are quite aggressive and are known to spread widely while others aren’t. In fixing a faulty septic tank, the nearest tree or trees which are likely to pose problems to your tank are removed.

  • Maintaining Adequate Spacing

There should be enough spacing between trees and your septic tank. This is a preventive measure that ensures you don’t incur additional septic tank repair costs in the future.

  • Tank or Line Leaks

A lot of septic tank problems that people face is due to tank or line leaks. Depending on the extent of damage caused, these can be repaired by a professional septic system technician.

Septic tank repair is a vital aspect of maintenance that needs to be done when necessary. A delay in fixing your tank will lead to contamination of water bodies through leaching.