What Causes A Septic System To Back up?

No one who owns a septic system ever wants to deal with a backup. It’s putrid, smelly, and nauseating. On top of being disgusting, cleaning up the mess from a backup and having the system repaired can be an expensive proposition. The best way to deal with a septic system backup is to prevent it from happening in the first place. So, what causes a septic system to back up? Let’s investigate.

Your Septic System

If you want to understand how to stop a backup, you need to know the basics of your septic system. Your septic system consists of a septic tank and a drain field. The septic tank is an autonomous, buried waste treatment system. It takes in all the wastewater from your home or business, divides the solids from the liquids, and then lets the liquid soak into the soil through your drain field. The solids will then break down because of helpful bacteria in your soil.

Most Common Causes of Septic Systems Backing Up

Now that you understand how your septic system works, you can better understand the culprits of backups. Here are the most common causes of septic system backups:

Tree Roots

Among the most damaging causes of septic system backups are tree roots. If you have a crack in your pipe just big enough for a tree root to find its way in, it will. Trees thrive off the fertilizing properties of sewage and quickly fill your pipes as they seek to drink up as much waste as possible. If you have tree roots growing in your septic system, the line they are in will have to be replaced.

Things That Shouldn’t Be Flushed

Tied with tree roots, the biggest cause of septic system backups are things that shouldn’t be flushed down your toilet. This cause is easily preventable and can save you thousands of dollars in cleanup costs. Here are a few of the most common things that are flushed down a toilet that shouldn’t be:

• Baby Wipes
• Kleenex
• Tampons
• Children’s Toys
• Food
• Paper Towles
• Paper Napkins

If you have a business and these things are being flushed frequently, you may want to hang a sign near the toilets asking employees or customers not to flush anything but toilet paper down them.

Flooding and Downspouts

Septic tanks can become waterlogged after a tropical storm or hurricane in the Central Florida area. Flooding will fill up your septic tank, making it impossible to flush your toilets or run water in sinks or showers. The soil will need to dry out for water to flow out. The septic tank must be pumped to get out the excess water.

We also get frequent summer thunderstorms in the Lakeland area, this is the main reason that downspouts should never be pointed at your septic tank or drain field. Downspouts will guide a deluge from a thunderstorm to your septic system and flood it. You will have the same issue as a flood on a slower basis.

Excessive Water Use

You should monitor your water usage if you have a large family, a retail location, or a restaurant on a septic system. Too much water usage can cause a backup because the septic system can’t handle the water used.

What is the Best Way to Prevent a Septic System Backup?

Aside from not flushing things down a toilet besides toilet paper, here are some things you can do to prevent a septic backup.

Regular Inspection and Pumping of Your Septic Tank

One of the main ways to maintain a septic system is by regular inspection and pumping. Solid waste can build up between pumping and potentially clog your septic system. It’s wise to have your system inspected by a professional septic company regularly. If they recommend that it’s time to pump out your septic tank, don’t hesitate.

Stay Away from Additives

There are a number of chemical and organic-based additives on the market that state that they can break down solid and liquid waste, even without your septic tank being pumped. A few additives even claim they can bring bacteria in your septic tank back from the dead. As a rule, adding additives is a bad idea. Why? Additives, chemical or biological, once introduced into your septic tank’s ecosystem, may interfere with natural processes. It’s best to maintain your septic system through routine inspections, measured water use, and only use toilet paper in the toilet.

We Will Keep Your Septic System in Working Shape

We are the premier septic service in Lakeland and the Central Florida area. We know the soil and weather better than anyone, so we understand what it takes to keep your septic system in good shape. Contact us today to discuss having your septic tank pumped. We look forward to serving you!