Understanding Septic System Failure

Septic systems fail in various ways and for various reasons.

All septic absorption fields have a finite life span. If your system lasts you 15-20 years, you have done quite well. If however, your system is failing after just a few years, something is not right and it’s time to troubleshoot the system.
Simply put, septic systems fail when the systems storage capacity is overwhelmed and water continues to be put into the system faster than it can be absorbed by the absorption field.

This is a quick and simple explanation.

Any septics, even brand new ones, can be made to fail if enough water is put into the system. Older systems >8-10 years typically fair because of the formation of a bio-mat that forms at the soil interface, which slows the fields permeability.

Failure can manifest itself in a number of ways. Continuing to put water into a system that refuses to take anymore creates hydraulic pressure. Water, looking for a place to go, follows the path of least resistance.

his often leads to waste water surfacing in your yard at the septic tank lid, in the area of the absorption field or causing backups inside your home’s plumbing.

What makes a systems fail prematurely?
For arguments sake, we’ll assume that your absorption field and tank were properly sized and designed and installed.

The lifespan of your system is generally a function of the amount and strength of water that you put into it.

First let’s look at the amount of water.
Leaky toilets, drippy faucets can add hundreds of gallons of unnecessary water to your system every day. Not fixing these can be a costly mistake.
Now, check and see if you have any other clean water sources discharging to your system.
One culprit is the homes foundation drain. Often homes have a drain under the foundation, this drain often comes together in a sump basket where a pump sends it to the septic system. Be sure to re-route this clear water somewhere else. I have seen these drains add thousands of gallons a day to a septic system.
Keep in mind, these sump baskets also handle washing machine water. Washing machine water will need to go to your septic system (in Indiana), so, you will need to separate out this grey water from your clear foundation water and figure out how to get it to your septic system.
You may need to purchase a small sealed lift pump to get the job done.
These are little boxes with pumps that sit on your floor next to your washer.
Cracked septic tanks or bad connections between the tank and the riser (lid), especially when you have a dosing tank can all be pathways for ground or surface water to enter your system. Be sure the ground around your lids is raised to promote surface drainage way from your tanks. Rain and snow melt tater is sneaky stuff and will drain into your tank(s) if given an opportunity.

Water softeners also add unnecessary water to your septic system.
Not only is this water unnecessary, it also usually contains sodium which is harmful to your system and the way your septic tank functions.
Talk to your local health department to explore other options for discharging this water.

On rare occasions, crazy people have been known to plumb their downspouts into their septic systems. DON’T DO THIS.

High Waste water strength can also lead to premature failure. Your waste strength is increased when you dump cooking oils and greases down your drain. Love to fry chicken? Great, have me over for supper but don’t pour it down the drain. Compost your kitchen waste instead of using your garbage disposal. High-strength-waste taxes the workings of your septic tank and often leads to solids and suspended solids making their way into your absorption field where it can clog things up.

Use an effluent filter on your septic tank outlet!

Prescription drugs like antibiotics, drugs used for chemotherapy, cancer treatment and even psychotic drugs all are challenging for your septic tank and will often disrupt the normal bacteria and settling action of your tank.
This allows lots of suspended solids to make their way into your absorption field clog up the soil and cause failure.

A professional septic pumper should inspect your tank to make sure it is functioning properly. If not, be sure to have your tank pumped very often to avoid problems.

There has also been lots of discussion regarding anti bacterial products.
They are unnecessary and may cause harm to your system. Don’t use them.

Household cleaning products and chemicals, as long as they are used in moderate, normal, amounts should be fine.

Also, Biological and chemical septic tank additives are generally thought to be unnecessary, so don’t use them either.

Remember to maintain your septic system by having your tank pumped every 3 years!