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If your furnace is suddenly blowing out cold air in Cleveland, TN you know that you need to call an HVAC professional. If you notice a leak in the bathroom plumber you would immediately call a plumber. But do you know what to do if you notice issues with your septic tank? Do you know who to call if you need tank repair? Do you even know the signs that you need septic tank repair? We know that the septic tank is not something that most people spend time thinking about, but as a major component of your home sewage system, it does demand some attention.
It is important that you recognize the importance of your home septic system and take proper action to call for septic tank repair as necessary so that you don’t end up with an extremely messy and extremely unsanitary mess on your hands. Most of the time when we get called out to homes where there is a backup or an overflow the homeowner will recognize that there were probably signs. If we ask if they noticed this or that they will readily reply yes which means they could have proactively called for a repair if they had known what the signs were ahead of time.
The trick to owning a septic tank without too many smelly and disgusting issues is simply staying aware of its needs. Your septic tank will give you warning signs when septic tank repair is imminent if you are paying attention and willing to call once you notice them. Putting off septic tank repair in Cleveland, TN is never a good idea unless you enjoy waking up to large clogs and messes. Since we are guessing most people do not enjoy that reality, here is a quick overview of the most common signs that it is time for septic tank repair in Cleveland, TN. If you recognize any of these signs it is extremely important that you call a licensed plumber so that you can take action before the situation turns into an emergency.
Standing Water in Your Yard
Do you notice that there is suddenly standing water in your yard in patches where it typically doesn’t pool? Or are you noticing that the ground is mushy around your drain field even though it hasn’t rained for days in Cleveland, TN. If you notice puddles or pooled water this can be a sign of a serious problem. It is very likely that the water is seeping up through the ground because of an issue with your septic tank or drain field.
This is not something that you want to wait around on because the issue is only going to get worse if there is a leak or a malfunctioning pipe somewhere along the line. It is important to call for septic tank repair right away. In the best-case scenario, you will only need to have your septic tank pumped, but there are a lot of larger problems to worry about as well. This is why it is important to have a professional out to investigate the issue.
Keep in mind that this can turn into a health issue as well. Wastes and feces should not be drifting into your front or back yard. Too much water where it does not belong can also lead to a sinkhole which can lead to much bigger issues including threats to your home or garage foundation depending on where your septic system is located. Don’t delay if you suspect your septic tank has something to do with standing water in your yard call for septic tank repair today.
Sewage Backups
It should be pretty obvious that any sewage backups indicate there is a problem with your septic tank system, but some homeowners attempt to handle the backups on their own without calling for septic tank repair. Even if you get lucky and manage to get a backup to dissipate once, it will be back if you don’t deal with the actual cause of a backup.
Unlike those who have city sewage, a septic tank system is fairly well contained. If there is a backup there are only a few viable solutions and most of them require professional septic tank repair. You most likely are not going to be able to deal with the issue on your own and it is not going to go away simply because you managed to get the wastes to disappear for a minute.
Unless you enjoy your washing machine overflowing, your first-floor toilets overflowing, or your basement floor drain exploding with a mixture of dirty water, toilet paper, and feces you need to call a septic tank repair company in Cleveland, TN if you notice any signs of a backup.
When it comes to home septic systems and sewage backups usually one of two things is the matter: a clog in the pipe or a full septic tank. Septic tanks can only hold so much waste before they overflow. Water cannot be squeezed or condensed into any area of the tank. If the tank is full the water will be pushed out which usually means back into your home and out of whatever drains are on the lowest floor of your home. The second issue is a clogged pipe either in your sewer line or somewhere else in your home. The result, however, is the same if there is a clog, water cannot flow forward so it will be forced to flow backward which means that the water will come back out of the lowest drains in your home.
Keep in mind that if you are experiencing any type of backup anywhere in your home you need to stop using water as much as possible until someone can come out for septic tank repair. Any new water will add to the backup since it will not be able to go down properly creating even more of a mess. It doesn’t matter if you use cold water, hot water, or water from a different area of the home, it will add to the flooding situation. It may be tough, but it’s best to be conservative until the septic tank repair is finished.
Toilet Problems
If you have a septic tank and start noticing toilet issues then there is a good chance that you will end up needing septic tank repair very soon. Every so once in a while, you might have an issue with a local clog or the toilet not flushing correctly because of a malfunctioning float. However, if your toilet is continuing to have issues with overflowing or flushing and you don’t have any reason to suspect it is the toilet it is time to get help from a septic tank repair company.
A toilet that does not flush or is very slow to flush is oftentimes caused by a septic tank that is full. Once again, when the water has nowhere to go it doesn’t move. Your toilet slowly flushing or refusing to flush may indicate that your septic tank is malfunctioning or full. Don’t make the beginner’s mistake of continuing to try to flush it because it will lead to it overflowing even more. This is almost always the wrong decision. Instead, step away from the toilet before it becomes a larger mess and call for septic tank repair in Cleveland, TN. If you are lucky your tank will simply need to be emptied, and if it is a larger problem you won’t be able to fix it on your own.
Odd Sounds Coming from Your Pipes or Toilet
On the other hand, if your toilet is talking to you there may also be a reason for concern that should be talked over with a septic tank repair company. Your pipes should not make any type of gurgling or bubble noises when you use them. You may notice a grueling noise when the water is draining while you brush your teeth or after you flush the outlet, both of which are indications that you need to call a plumber. Gurgling and bubbles indicate that there is air trapped in your plumbing or septic system somewhere, and there shouldn’t be any air pockets if the plumbing system is working correctly.
Usually, when you notice bubbles or odd noises it is because air pockets are getting trapped in partial blockages throughout the plumbing system. There is a very good chance that you have a clog in your sewer line if you see bubbles, but it can also indicate a larger issue with your septic tank. The trapped debris allows air to hide behind the clog while it is draining and then the air breaks free and travels upwards towards freedom. If you don’t take action eventually the minor blockage will become a full blockage and you will be dealing with overflowing drains or toilets and a mess with the potential to cause flood damage.
Drains Are Taking a Long Time to Drain
Slow drains can be another indication that something is wrong with your plumbing system. If it seems like your kitchen sink cannot keep up as you rinse dishes or that water is pooling around your feet while you take a shower it is probably time to have someone out for septic tank repair to at least take a look at your tank. This could be a larger plumbing issue or a local clog, but it also can indicate that something is wrong with your plumbing system.
One thing you may want to do is watch the drains to see if one area is affected or if your entire home is affected. If you notice that only your bathroom has slow drains for example then there is a possibility that you have a clog coming out of the main bathroom line that needs a plumber. However, if you notice that the water drains slowly out of your bathroom and other rooms in your home it is more likely that there is a large septic issue at hand. You will want to take care of this by calling for septic tank repair before you end up with a flood or an overflowing septic tank that compromises the quality of your yard.
A Lush Yard
While you want your yard to stay green, you should not notice that the grass is greener on the side of the yard near your septic tank. If you notice uneven patterning in your yard there is a good chance that the septic drain field is not working properly. A septic field that is leaking or overflowing will release wastes back into the lawn which in turn will fertilize it. While it may be nice to have a portion of your yard fresh and green, it indicates that your sewage is leaking out and you don’t want this to continue for a multitude of reasons.
Bad Odors in Your Home or Yard
Along the same train of thought, you may notice bad odors in addition to a greener yard. Escaping water will have a very noticeable and very bad odor to it that resembles rotten eggs or old diapers. Neither of those are odors that you want to live near, and neither are healthy either. If you start to notice this smell either inside or outside of your home it is time to call for septic tank repair. It will not get better if you do nothing, in fact, it will probably get worse and invade every area of your home. Call Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air of Cleveland, TN today to get help with your septic tank needs right away.