Learning From Home RenovationsLearning From Home Renovations

As a homeowner, you take pride in ensuring your home looks nice and well-maintained. But, if you deal with slow-moving drains by adding store-bought drain cleaning products or assume that greener grass in one area of your lawn is simply the result of the area getting more sun, then you may be neglecting your septic tank. A problem with septic tanks can be messy, expensive, and bad for the environment. Quickly identifying and treating problems with the septic system can save you money and prevent the risk of complete septic system failure.  Here are four warning signs that you should contact a professional septic services company as soon as possible.

Slow Moving Drains

The occasional use of drain cleaning products to clear a backed up drain isn't typically a problem. However, if you are frequently experiencing slow drains or water backing up in the dishwasher, washing machine, toilet, or sinks, it's time to consider septic services. Basically, if the drains are continually draining slow and there is constantly water backing up, you probably have a waste backup in the pipes, and the problem will only get worse unless the septic system is cleaned.

Bad Odor

One of the first warning signs of a problem with the septic system is a bad odor inside or outside of your home. The smell of a septic system problem generally has the odor of rotten eggs, but what you actually may smell is sulfur coming from the septic system. The earlier you detect an odor, the better. Unfortunately, many homeowners dismiss the early signs of a foul odor or pour bleach or drain cleaner into the drains in an effort to get rid of the smell. If you smell an odor coming from the drains or outside near the area where the septic tank is buried, do not attempt to cover the smell. Instead, contact a company that provides septic services as soon as possible.

Wet Spots in the Yard

Unless you have recently had heavy storms, there shouldn't be wet spots or puddles of water in your yard, especially standing water near the drain field. If you notice wet spots or flooding around the area of the septic tank or smelly water that is accumulating in the drain field, it is a warning sign of a backup in the septic system. Any puddles of water in the drain field can also pose a health hazard, so it must be addressed immediately. Contact septic services at the first sign of wet spots near the septic tank area.

Areas of Greener Grass

The grass getting greener in one area of your yard isn't the result of the rain hitting that one area or the sun providing extra nutrients to the area. It is a warning sign that the drain field is failing and causing extra fertilizer to get at the roots, which causes the grass to grow faster or greener than the rest of your property. This type of problem often means the septic system may have been experiencing problems for quite a while, so it's essential that you have the septic system and drain field inspected immediately.

Most septic tank problems are caused by things that should not enter the tank by way of sinks, toilets or the garbage disposal. To avoid the risk of costly septic services, the only items that should be flushed down the toilet is septic safe toilet paper and human waste, and you should not use the sink or garbage disposal for disposing of grease.  Regular maintenance and cleaning will also ensure the septic tank operates as it should. For more information and tips, contact local septic services.