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If you live in a rural area of Cleveland, TN, there is a good chance that you have a septic system. Your septic system is made up of a tank where the sewage is collected. There are also underground pipes that lead out to a leach field where the liquid waste is sent. Each time you run the water in your home or flush your toilet, it all goes out to the septic system. To keep your septic system running correctly, you need to have the tank pumped out every couple of years. However, it is possible for your septic system to develop issues. Because of this, you need to be able to recognize the signs that you need to call a professional in septic tank repair. Because your septic tank is so important, you should be able to recognize these signs early so that you can have the problem repaired. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will be.

#1 A Foul Smell Inside the Home or In the Yard

The most obvious sign that you need to call a professional in septic tank repair is a foul smell. You could notice it inside the home or outside near the tank. The foul odor is sewage that is either leaking from the tank or backing up into your home. Either way, you need to call a professional immediately for septic tank repair. That foul smell isn’t going to go away on its own. The problem will continue to get worse until you have it fixed. As soon as you notice the foul smell, you should call for septic tank repair.

#2 Tall, Lush Grass

Most Cleveland, TN homeowners, want their grass to be green and lush. If you notice that the grass around your septic tank is greener and lusher than the rest of the yard, it is not a good thing. Sure the lawn looks great, but it is a sign that there is an issue with your septic tank and should call a professional in septic tank repair. If there is a crack in the tank, the waste will leak out under the ground, which fertilizes the soil. This is why the grass will look so much better near the septic tank. If you notice that the grass looks better near the septic tank than the rest of the yard, you should call for septic tank repair immediately.

#3 Your Drains Are Slow

If you find that your drains are slow, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a clog. Slow drains and broken septic tanks go hand in hand. If more than one of your sinks is draining slowly, there is a good chance that the problem lies within your septic tank. This is something that you should not ignore. Over time, the waste will start to back up inside the house, which makes for a really nasty problem.

In some cases, you might only need to have your septic tank pumped. If your tank was pumped within the last year, the problem is likely with the septic tank. If this is the case, you should call a professional in septic tank repair immediately.

#4 Pooling Water

If it has been raining for days in Cleveland, TN, it is not uncommon for water to pool around the septic tank. If there has been no severe weather and there is still water pooling around the septic tank, you will need to call a professional in septic tank repair. There is a chance that your septic tank is overflowing because it needs to be pumped. If your septic tank isn’t due for a pumping, the problem lies with the tank, and a septic tank repair will be necessary. If there is pooling water around the tank, you should call a professional in septic tank repair.

#5 Sewer Backup

A backup of sewage in the yard is the nastiest and most obvious sign that you need to call a professional in septic tank repair. If it has been a while since your septic tank has been pumped, that could be all that you need. If your tank was pumped within the last year, your tank could be failing, and the water and sewage are leaking out. If this is the case, septic tank repair is inevitable. To prevent your entire yard from filling up with sewage, you should hire a professional in septic tank repair as quickly as possible.

#6 Pumping Isn’t Helping

If your septic tank is causing water to pool and run down the yard, you should call to have the tank pumped. If the tank fills back up as it is being pumped, this is a sign of a serious septic tank problem. If there is a crack in the septic tank, the tank will fill with groundwater. No matter how much water is pumped out, the groundwater will continue to fill the tank, making pumping useless. If this is the case, you will need a professional in septic tank repair to inspect the tank. They would be able to let you know whether the issue can be repaired or if the septic tank needs to be replaced.

If you suspect that you are in need of septic tank repair, you should contact the professionals at Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air immediately. We have been servicing customers in Chattanooga, Cleveland, TN, and north Georgia with their septic tank repair needs and other services since 1989. We are a family-owned and operated business whose primary focus is on customer satisfaction. All of our technicians are highly trained, licensed, and insured. At Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air, we understand that problems can arise at any time of the day or night. Because of this, we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because your septic tank is so important, you shouldn’t hesitate to call us if you are experiencing any issues. We will send a tech right out to your home to inspect your septic tank and make the necessary repairs. To schedule an appointment for septic tank repair, give us a call today.

Keeping Your Septic Tank Healthy

Now that we have discussed the signs that you may need to have your septic tank repaired, it is time to discuss ways that you can keep your tank functioning properly for years. If you follow the tips listed below, you won’t need to worry about having any septic tank issues.

#1 Avoid Overloading the Septic Tank and Leach Field With Water

On average, each member of your household uses about 70 gallons of water each day. All of the water that passes through your house ends up in the septic tank. If you are using too much water each day, you are at risk of overloading the tank or leach field. There are a few ways that you can use less water, which will reduce the amount of water making its way to the septic system.

• Washing the dishes: When you wash your dishes, you don’t want to rinse each dish one by one. This wastes a lot of water; therefore, you should wash all of the dishes and then rinse them all together.

• Washing your hands: When washing your hands, you shouldn’t let the water run. Turn it off while you are lathering your hands because this will save water.

• Brushing your teeth: Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth. After you rinse your toothbrush, turn off the water while you brush. When you are done brushing your teeth, you can turn the water back on to rinse your mouth, your toothbrush, and the inside of the sink.

• Take shorter showers: There is nothing better than a nice hot shower; however, if you are going to prevent your septic tank and leach field from becoming overloaded with water, you and your family should try taking shorter showers. It is best to limit your time to 15 minutes for each shower.

• Maximize your dishwasher loads: To keep from using too much water, you shouldn’t run your dishwasher until it is filled to capacity. This will cause you to use the dishwasher less frequently, which will use less water.

• Maximize your washing machine loads: Your washing machine sends a lot of water to the septic tank. To avoid overloading the tank, you should only do laundry when you can do a full load. Washing just one or two articles of clothing will waste a great deal of water.

• Fix dripping faucets and running toilets: Most people don’t worry too much when the faucet is dripping. What you may not know is that over the course of a year, a dripping faucet can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water a year, which all ends up in the septic tank. A running toilet will also have wastewater. To keep from overloading your septic tank, you should have these issues repaired immediately.

#2 Your Toilet Isn’t a Garbage Disposal

The only thing that should be flushed down the toilet is waste. If you start flushing things like coffee grounds, paper towels, grease, diapers, and cigarette butts down the toilet, it is a recipe for disaster. These things won’t break down quickly when in the septic tank, which can be damaging.

#3 Don’t Put Grease Down the Drain

Most people know that you should never pour grease down the drain. Over time, the grease will build up in the pipes, causing them to clog. What you may not know is that the grease can also clog your septic tank drain field. If this happens, you are looking at a very costly repair. When you cook, drain the grease into a container to be thrown away later.

#4 Divert Water From the Septic System

Water saturation can be very damaging to your septic system. If the drain field gets too soggy, it won’t be able to handle the liquid waste. To prevent water saturation, you can create a landscape design to divert the water. You can also install gutters to keep the water away.

#5 Don’t Plant Trees Near the Septic System

If you plant trees too close to the septic system, the roots can work themselves in, around the septic pipes, causing serious damage. If you are planning to plant trees or shrubs in your yard, be sure to plant far away from your septic system.

#6 Don’t Install a Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can do great harm to your septic system. Over time, the food that you put down the tank can form a layer of gunk on the inner parts of the septic pipes, causing a clog. If you must use a garbage disposal, use it only for spoiled fruits and vegetables.

#7 Don’t Put Hazardous Chemicals Down the Drain

You should never put any chemicals down the drain. Things like paint thinner, motor oil, and gasoline should be disposed of correctly, and never flush. Flushing these chemicals are unhealthy for the groundwater, which can be damaging to the septic system.

#8 Don’t Damage the Septic Tank

Just because your septic tank is located underground, it doesn’t mean that it cannot be damaged. It is essential that you don’t put anything heavy over the tank. You should never use the area as a parking lot or a play area. Also, you should not place anything in the area like a deck or a hot tub. To protect the soil around the tank, plant some grass around the septic tank.

#9 Have Your Tank Pumped Regularly

It is essential that you have your septic tank pumped regularly. This will keep it from overflowing, which can be damaging. How often you need to have the tank pumped would depend on the number of people living in your home and the types of appliances that you use in the house. As a rule, you should have your tank pumped every three years.

If you understand how to care for your septic system correctly, the chances of needing to have it repaired are drastically reduced. Following the tips listed above can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Metro Plumbing, Heating & Air is here for you!