Alert.. Has Your Septic System Failed?

ALERT!

Your septic system has failed in Langley, Surrey or Abbotsford – water has backed up into the shower, the toilets will not flush, and/or drains will not drain. This means wastewater has backed up from the tank through the main drain into the house. All Signs of Septic System Back Failure – back up.

It’s going the wrong way! Sewer Backup. Or–untreated effluent is surfacing on the ground.

SUSPICIOUS DRAINFIELD BEHAVIOR

• There are odours or persistent wet spots over the field
• The plumbing becomes sluggish over a period of time, or when it’s used heavily, or during wet months
• Problems persist even though the tank has been pumped recently
• The septic tank is flooded
• Areas of the field are bubbling
• Beware of problems that can arise from high pressure flushing of old drainage lines…this can have a negative effect: plugging lines/collapsing lines. Flushing lines are a short term solution to a much bigger problem that can exist!

Drain field Failure is the most serious type of septic system failure.

TWO DEGREES OF DRAIN FIELD FAILURE

1. Partial Failure: Here the drain field will work during dry weather, but with heavy rains (or high household use), the system is overloaded.
2. Complete Failure: Worst case scenario. Here no remedial steps can be taken with the present drain field.

OTHER PROBABLE CAUSES OF FAILURE

1. The sewage pipe between the house and the tank is blocked or broken.
2. Either the inlet or outlet tee is blocked or broken.
3. The line between the tank and drain field is blocked or broken.
4. If the system has a pump, there may have been an electrical or mechanical failure.
5. The tank itself is blocked with solids or has collapsed.
6. The drain field is flooded due to heavy rains or flooding.
7. The drain field is partially or completely clogged with solids or roots.

SEPTIC SYSTEM REPAIR

If feasible and it’s an old system, it is possible it could be upgraded or do a simple repair using existing components of your current septic system to keep costs down.

1. Cleaning the distribution pipe in the trench may work if things have not progressed too far. Snake out with a Roto-Rooter.
2. If caused by roots, dig up a section and look. Remove invasive trees and plants. Roto-Rooter pipes. Consider removing invasive trees or plants. The drain field may recover as dead roots decay.
3. Cut water usage in half, if possible.
4. Replace any damaged/broken pipes
5. Update septic tank
6. Improve drainage

REMEDIES FOR COMPLETELY FAILED DRAIN FIELDS

Hire a professional to come to your septic site to diagnose the degree of your problem.

Get a Free Consult from AMA EXCAVATION, DRAINAGE & SEPTIC

Call now 778 868 9580