Septic system repairs can lead to sewage backups that damage your home. Additionally, repairs could require you to leave your home for an extended period. Even though there is a potential for costly, inconveniencing repairs, many homeowners don’t truly place enough weight on the importance of keeping their septic system free of clogs.
Don’t be like those homeowners – read on to learn how your septic system works and why preventing it from developing damaging drain clogs is so important.
How Does a Septic System Work?
To fully understand why clogs in a septic system are far from ideal, you’ll need to have at least a rudimentary understanding of how septic systems work.
Your septic system and septic tank handle all of the wastewater and waste that travels out of the drains in your home and into your main sewer line. Once waste and wastewater (which together are called “effluent”) flow down your home’s drains, they make their way into the septic tank, where anaerobic bacteria begin to break down any organic matter.
As the bacteria break down organic waste, that waste sinks to the bottom of the septic tank, where it forms a sort of sludge. And any oily matter within that sludge rises to the surface of the liquid in the tank, where it creates a sort of floating scum.
The effluent gradually exits the septic tank via attached drainage piping and enters the septic drain field, which exists below the surface of the ground around the buried septic tank. Once the watery waste enters the subsurface drainage field, more microorganisms break down any remaining organic material.
As the water percolates through the soil, it goes through a natural filtration process, ultimately re-entering the groundwater supply. The tank’s filter system and various other components prevent solids from exiting the tank, so at some point, the tank will need to be pumped to remove the solid material stored inside.
Look Out for These 4 Septic System Clogs
The following are a few clogs you should look out for regarding your septic system.
1. Clogs in Your Home’s Sewer Line
Experts estimate that clogs in your home’s sewer line are one of the main reasons people face repairs. Clogs can affect any of your sewer lines, including secondary lines that branch off your system.
A clogged sewer line usually makes water and sewage come up from your drains. Beyond being unsanitary, sewer line clogs may require the complete replacement of sewer lines, which takes time and money.
The best way to avoid clogged sewer lines is to be mindful of what is placed down your drains. Stick with water-soluble items and never use toxic detergents that can impact the efficacy of your system.
2. Mud Clogs That Prevent the Drain Field From Working Properly
People who live in rainy environments are more prone to mud clogs in their drain fields; however, under the right conditions, anyone can experience mud clogs. In fact, you are at increased risk of having a mud clog after a spell of rainy days.
With more water in the soil content, it’s easy for the soil to become compact and prevent the filtering process, which is the purpose of your drain field. If your drain field fails, you will notice that the drains inside your home no longer drain. This scenario is problematic and could lead to sickness if allowed to persist.
If you notice this problem, contact our Drain Blaster Bill team as soon as possible. The earlier you contact us, the easier it is to remedy the obstruction that’s preventing water from flowing out of your drain field.
3. Clogs in Sewer Vents Cause Slow Drainage
Gurgling noises while your water is draining (or a total lack of water draining) may be a sign that your sewer vent is clogged.
Your sewer vent is a part of your septic system that is designed to promote water flow. It works with gravity to ensure that your drains constantly direct water in the direction of your main outlet. However, when a vent is clogged, you don’t get the benefit of wastewater leaving your home.
Fortunately, a professional can easily resolve this problem by unclogging your sewer vents. Under no circumstances should you attempt to unclog them alone.
If done incorrectly, you could cause significant damage to your system.
4. Baffle Clogs
Most septic tanks feature an inlet baffle and an outlet baffle, one of which allows wastewater to enter the tank smoothly and the other that prevents solid material from traveling into the drainage lines and into the drainage (leach) field. Both of these baffles must remain clear for the septic system to function properly.
When a clog develops in either component, it can prevent watery waste from moving through the system according to its design. And when effluent can’t flow into or out of the septic tank as it’s supposed to, it’ll slow down drainage throughout your home or building.
These types of clogs can’t be removed with do-it-yourself techniques since they exist deep within the septic system. To remedy a slow drainage issue caused by one or more clogged baffles, you’ll need to hire a septic system cleaning specialist.
Need Professional Drain Cleaning in the Twin Cities?
Dealing with clogs in your plumbing system that may have a negative impact on your septic system? Let our team help you! We’ve been unclogging septic pipes and all types of residential and commercial drainage systems for nearly a decade and serve Stillwater, Minnesota, and the surrounding Twin Cities metro area.
After a thorough camera inspection of your system, we can easily get your drains functioning again, so you can keep your septic system operating properly. Our industry knowledge and proprietary drain cleaning techniques help us save you time as well as money on expensive plumbing repairs.
To get a service quote, schedule an appointment, or learn more about our septic system cleaning services, give us a call today at 763-913-8719.
You can also request a free estimate online, and we’ll reach out with more information.