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If you live in a rural area there is a good chance that you have a septic system. Septic systems are different from sewers. When a person has a sewer system, they are hooked up to the city’s system. A septic system removes waste from your home and your home only.

How Does a Septic System Work?

When water or waste from the toilet goes down the drain, it flows into the septic tank. The solid waste goes down to the bottom of the septic tank. There, bacteria and microorganisms work to break it down. The liquids travel through the underground pipes that lead out to the drainage field. If you suspect that your septic tank is not working the way that it should be, you should call a professional who specializes in septic tank plumbing. Letting the problem continue can result in serious issues. This is why it is essential that you can recognize the signs that there is something wrong immediately. It will take someone who specializes in septic tank plumbing to make the necessary repairs.

Issue 1: The Pipes Are Making a Babbling Sound

The most noticeable sound that there is a problem with your septic tank is when sound comes up from the pipes. If you hear a babbling sound or a hissing sound when you flush the toilet or when the water goes down the drain, there is a problem. If you hear these sounds, it is essential that you call a professional in septic tank plumbing. In most cases, this is a sign that something bigger is on the way; therefore, you should call a professional immediately.

Issue 2: Problems When You Flush the Toilet

When you flush the toilet in your home, the water and waste should go down quickly, and you should only need to flush once. If the water and waste go down very slowly, there is a problem. The same is true if you need multiple flushes to get everything down or if the toilet won’t flush at all. When your toilet isn’t flushing properly, it can be a considerable inconvenience. The problem could be a clog in the pipes, which can be handled by any local plumber. If there are no clogs in the pipes, the problem likely lies in the septic tank. In this case, you will need to hire a professional who specializes in septic tank plumbing. A professional in septic tanks will be able to figure out what is going wrong and fix it before the problem gets worse.

Issue 3: Slow Drains

If the water is going down the drains in your sinks or shower very slowly, the problem could lie within your pipes. When grease, soap scum and hair build up along the inside of the pipes, there isn’t as much room for the water to go down the drains. This can cause slow drains. A plumber can put a camera down the drain to check the inside of your pipes. If they are clear, this issue likely lies within your septic system. In this case, you should call someone who specializes in septic tank plumbing. The sooner you have the problem resolved, the sooner your drains will start working properly. Because slow drains are a major inconvenience, you should call a plumber as soon as possible.

Issue 4: Water Backing Up

If the water is holding or backing up in your sinks or the washing machine in your home, you should call a professional who specializes in septic tank plumbing as soon as possible. These are septic tank issues that should be addressed immediately. These are signs of a serious problem, and it could even mean that your septic tank is failing. This is a very serious issue that can result in a significant flood in the home or the yard. The sooner you call a plumber, the better.

Issue 5: A Horrible Smell

If you smell something horrible when you are outside your home, you should first try to pinpoint the smell. If it is similar to rotten eggs, there could be a problem with your septic system. The first thing that you should do is walk toward your septic tank. If the smell gets worse when you get closer, it is a sign of a serious problem. In cases like this, you shouldn’t wait to call a professional who specializes in septic tank plumbing. To prevent a more serious issue, you should make the call immediately.

Issue 6: Greener Grass Around the Septic Tank

If you are like most homeowners, you want lush, green grass in your Chattanooga, TN yard. If you notice that the grass is much greener and lusher around your septic tank than the rest of the yard, it isn’t a good thing. When this happens, it is because the waste is leaking from the septic tank under the ground, and it is fertilizing the roots. If you allow the problem to persist, the leak will get worse, and eventually, the entire septic tank will fail. The sooner you call a professional in septic tank plumbing, the better.

Septic tank issues are serious, even minor issues. This is because small problems can quickly turn to major ones, that can be both damaging and costly. If you are experiencing any of the issues above in your Chattanooga, TN home, you should call Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air immediately. We have a highly qualified staff and will send a septic tank plumber to your home to diagnose the problem. All of our plumbers are licensed and insured, and they are professional. You can be sure that you will receive fast and friendly service when you work with us. Our plumbers will be able to figure out what is wrong with the system and suggest the best way to resolve the issue. To schedule an appointment with a professional in septic tank plumbing, give us a call today.