Photo By LauriPatterson at istock

Turning the house around for the winter is a mammoth task. Wall painting, electrical checks, septic tank repairs, and plumbing maintenance all need to be carried out well before the winter takes over completely.

When it comes to plumbing maintenance and repairs, it’s essential to hire the right professionals to ensure that each part of the house is carefully inspected, and when required, repaired, or replaced. During this season, plumbers in Cleveland, TN are summoned on a daily basis to deal with septic tank repairs and general plumbing issues that might cause inconvenience if left unattended during the winter.

If you own a septic tank, you are already familiar with the countless benefits that come along. The independence from the sewage network, combined with the reduced utility bills offer a good value for money option. Private sewage waste installations are robust and when maintained properly can last for many years.

Homeowners in Cleveland, TN, know the importance of frequent septic tank repair. While sewage tanks don’t require a lot of maintenance, it’s essential to keep up with regular checks to ensure that the tank is free of cracks and non-organic debris. Apart from septic tank repair, it’s equally important to arrange for regular tank drain service to avoid an overflow.

Wastewater overflows are common for tanks with neglected maintenance records. A water overflow may destroy the area around your drainfield and release hazardous waste as well as unpleasant odors on your property.

In the rest of this post, you will discover how all the different parts connected to a waste tank play an important role in the correct function of the water disposal system as well as the main signs that you are in need of emergency septic tank repair.

Drain Field

The drain field is the area above where your waste tank is buried. For obvious reasons, the tank is buried underground to minimize exposure to hazardous wastewater and minimize any accidental damage.

In the center of the drain field lies the maintenance hatch. After a septic tank repair, the hatch is hermetically sealed with a chemical sealant to avoid any accidental contamination of the tank from external debris.

Keeping the drainfield clean from debris is a good move. Plumbers in Cleveland, TN, often have to deal with tree roots, leaves, and soil that accidentally entered the tank as the maintenance hatch wasn’t properly sealed.

Septic tanks are robust, but they might get damaged when heavy objects are placed directly inside the drain field. In order to avoid damage to the walls of a tank as well as the delicate piping system that lies below the ground, it’s a good practice to avoid placing motorbike, vehicles, or concrete blocks near the drain field. If you use a septic tank that is equipped with a leaching tube extension, it’s necessary to restrict access in that area as this is the part of the sewage system that naturally disposes the natural waste over time. This is also a good hygiene practice as in case of a leak or an overflow, the wastewater can contaminate your property.

During a septic tank repair, the drain field needs to be clear of any obstructions as the cleaning crew will use the sealing hatch to access the internal of the septic tank.

Pipe Repairs

Pipe repairs are very important for the correct function of a septic tank. The pipe system that is in charge of disposing the sewage water from your house to the tank is buried below the ground to protect the occupants in case of an accidental leak but also to avoid damage.

Plastic & PVC pipes are commonly used in septic tank installations in Cleveland, TN, as they are robust and lightweight. The constant flow of water inside the pipes can slowly degrade the structural integrity of the pipework and a septic tank repair will be required.

During the winter, it’s essential to keep an eye out for freezing conditions as it may block the sewage pipes. Frozen pipes behave like clogged pipes and can disrupt the service of the tank or even cause wastewater to back up inside the house. On your next septic tank repair appointment, ask your plumber if your pipes can benefit from insulation.

Even if the septic tank is working properly, the waste disposal system will only work as long as the pipes are in good condition. A leak in the pipes can reduce the pressure required for the water to reach the pump. When water starts leaking in an area where it isn’t supposed to, you may notice septic odors start emanating in the air. A septic tank repair crew can safely undertake the task of finding out where the problem lies.

If your septic tank is equipped with a leaching system, regular maintenance checks can ensure that the leaching pipes are in good condition and allow for waste to be properly disposed of.

Drain Cleaning

Keeping the drain taps inside the house clean is very important for the waste tank to work correctly. Objects that are hard to dissolve such as fat, soil, soap, and non-disposable sanitary objects can find their way to the sewage network and bring the household to a halt.

Plumbers in Cleveland, TN, deal with clogged drains on a daily basis, and the longer it takes to seek professional help, the more difficult it becomes to dissolve the clog. Septic tanks are very good at processing organic waste, but problems start to arise when sanitary items and debris enters the tank.

Attempting to remove a clog on your own can make this worse. DIY tools can push the clog deeper inside the network, thus making removal even more difficult. If you accidentally send the clog deep inside the pipe network, you may cause multiple facilities to seize working and back up sewage water. In addition, cleaning chemicals may harm the pipe walls which can lead

A professional plumber is equipped with the right equipment and knowledge to locate the clog and safely remove it before it reaches the septic tank and causes more problems.

Tank Overflow

An overflow tank can lead to serious problems. Homeowners in Cleveland, TN, which own a septic tank, recognize the importance of frequent draining service. Depending on the type and the shape of the tank, each system has a designated capacity. A safe approach is to periodically check the volume of the waste tank and arrange for a drain service well before the upper limit has been reached.

However, in some cases, the tank is left to fill up and beyond the limit and this is when strange things start to happen. An overflowed tank will refuse to process any more wastewater, which will be returned back to your property. If that happens you will need an emergency septic tank repair to fix the problem and disinfect any compromised facilities using chemicals.

A tank overflow can happen from neglected drain appointments, use of chemicals, and even non-disposable objects that found their way into the sewage pipes. A good advice is to be careful not to use any chemicals before you seek the advice of a professional plumber as they may end up causing bigger harm than good.

Non-disposable wipes and sanitary objects must be disposed of properly and not through the sewage network as the septic tank simply isn’t designed to deal with it.

Additionally, during the winter, the septic tank might freeze due to extreme temperatures existing above. While the tank has some protection below the ground, if the drain field isn’t deep enough, it’s essential to keep an eye out during freezing days. If the internal of the tank is frozen, it will act as a massive clog and unexpected overflows might happen.

The best way to avoid an overflow is frequent septic tank repair and draining. If the tank is closely monitored by a professional plumber, you will always find yourself one step ahead of such issues and you will be able to prevent them. However, if a tank overflow occurs, it’s vital to keep everyone, including you, well away from the drain field as the water contains harmful bacteria and organic waste. Instead, seek the help of an emergency plumbing crew that is trained to safely and quickly restore order.

Septic Tank Repair

Professional septic tank repair in Cleveland, TN, is very common and it helps homeowners to safely drain the contents of the tank and carry out any maintenance required. Even if your tank has no symptoms, it’s a good practice after a few drain services to ask for a plumber to inspect the inside of the tank. An inspection of the walls can help you find out the condition of the tank and seal off any small cracks that still don’t pose a problem. The sooner you identify any issues with the septic tank, the easiest it will be to repair it.

Emergency Septic Tank Repair

During an emergency, it’s essential to know the telltale signs that the septic tank is about to go bust. Below, you can find some of the most important signs that you are in need of a septic tank repair

• Sewage Backups

Sewage backups occur when the tank is refusing to process any more wastewater. This may be a problem with the tank’s filter or a clog that has developed inside the sewage system.

• Water Puddles

If you notice that sewage water starts to pool in the garden, seek help. This is a sign that the tank starts to overflow or there’s a leak in the pipe system that let’s sewage water to spill outside the tank. As the water is contaminated with organic waste, it’s important to seek help and avoid contact where possible.

• Foul Odors

When a tank doesn’t work correctly, septic odors start to appear. This is a sign that the septic tank isn’t processing the water correctly and emergency plumbing is required. Septic odors are the results of bacteria feasting in organic waste, which as you can tell isn’t the most healthy thing to inhale.

• Grass discoloration

When the grass becomes dark green next to the drain field, this is a telltale sign that the septic tank might be leaking and the grass is changing color due to the contamination of the water. In some cases, when the contamination is severe, the grass may turn yellow and start dying.

Get Ready For Winter

When the house is fully functioning, winter can be a very pleasant season. Modern households provide a lot of comforts and they offer a pleasant experience to the tenants. Before you sit back and relax, remember to sort out any septic tank repair tasks remaining.

Dealing with the sewage system all by yourself isn’t wise as the wastewater contains plenty of bacteria and substances harmful to your health. A professional plumber can safely inspect the septic tank and carry out any essential repairs that will guarantee the proper function of the waste system.

Septic tanks come with lots of benefits and help to increase the value of your house as you don’t longer depend on the service status of the public sewage network. A septic tank repair before the winter means that you are all set for the cold season and you won’t find yourself one day without a means to dispose of waste.

Don’t wait until it’s late, the sooner you finalize the plumbing repairs, the sooner you can turn your focus to something that you love doing and spend more time with your loved ones.

Whether you have a question, or simply, you are ready to make your next septic tank repair appointment, get in touch today. Metro Plumbing, Heating, & Air cover the wider area of Cleveland, TN. Here you will find professional plumbers ready to assist you with all the plumbing requirements your property has.