Septic systems are designed for durability and long-term utility, as it takes a lot of work to replace one. On average, you should expect a new septic system to last around 20 years, and sometimes as much as 40 years depending on usage patterns and the quality of installation.
If your septic tank is around this age, it’s likely time to start planning for a septic system replacement. And if your septic system is already showing performance issues, you’ll want to act before your system experiences a messy, expensive failure.
Signs That it’s Time to Plan for a Septic System Replacement
If your septic system is fitted with smart monitoring technology, you’ll receive an alert as soon as performance dips in any concerning way. Septilink, for example, can track pump cycling, water volume and other conditions to detect when the system needs to be inspected.
Without smart septic system monitoring in place, property owners must be vigilant and respond promptly when troubling signs emerge. Some signs that mean septic system issues include:
- Slow drainage or backups – If your sinks, toilets and other drainage fixtures are slow to drain or “gurgle” as they drain, this may indicate an overburdened septic system. Worse, if wastewater is backing up into the property, you’re likely dealing with a severe septic system issue.
- Overgrown vegetation around the drain field – Look for dense patches of bright green vegetation where the septic tank or drain field would be. If vibrant plant life is exploding around the septic components, it may be a sign of leaks or poorly treated effluent.
- Foul odors around the septic tank or drain field – Sewage odors emanating from the septic tank or drain field indicate a buildup of gas-producing bacteria and, by extension, excessive solid waste in the tank.
- Excessive solid waste in the septic tank – Most property owners don’t want to open their septic tank, but if you do, take note of the level of solids in the tank. If it’s higher than one third of the tank’s volume, it’s time to follow up with a septic expert.
Any of the above merit a closer inspection by a septic expert. If any of these issues are left unaddressed, they may lead to a major system failure, like a ruptured tank.
How to Prolong the Life of Your Septic System
There are steps property owners can take to reduce the wear on their septic system and extend its useful life. These steps include:
- Thinking before putting stuff down the drain – Your septic system is equipped to handle solid waste, water and toilet paper. Anything else will stress it, resulting in potential blockages or killing off beneficial bacteria.
Minimize the use of your disposal system and take extra care to avoid putting certain items down the sink, like coffee grounds, grease and household chemicals. These act as either “cloggers” or “killers” in your septic system.
- Staggering water usage throughout the day – You’ll reduce wear on your septic tank by reducing the volume of water flowing into it. To reduce wear further, stagger your high-volume water usage by spacing out showers, running the dishwasher and doing laundry to prevent a sudden spike of volume.
- Paying attention to any troubling signs – If you don’t have smart monitoring technology in place, you’ll need to keep an eye (and nose) out for any troubling signs. Early detection and maintenance is key to maintaining your septic system, so don’t write off slow drainage or explosive vegetation as harmless problems.
- Consider installing septic monitoring technology – Smart septic tank monitoring technology uses a network of sensors embedded throughout the system. These monitoring systems report essential performance metrics to a monitoring dashboard that provides at-a-glance status updates for property owners. It’s the only way to know what’s going on beneath the surface without actually opening up your septic tank. And as soon as there’s an issue worth noting, smart monitoring technology like Septilink will detect the issue and report it so you can get the issue addressed promptly.
- Schedule regular professional inspections – Every few years, your septic system should be professionally inspected by an expert. During an inspection, the professional will identify any concerning issues, like leaks or excessive sludge and scum buildups. They’ll pump out the tank, as well, and perform repairs as necessary. Even with smart monitoring in place, you’ll still need a professional to pump out the tank and replace components as they wear out.
Implementing the above measures may add years to your septic system and will maximize the value you derive from it. This saves property owners money in the long run and protects against catastrophic failures, which can expose people to potential health risks.
If Your Septic System is Starting to Show Signs of Failure, a Trusted Septic Professional Can Provide a Replacement
If your septic system is experiencing performance issues, act before those minor issues cause a total system failure. In some cases, it may be a simple fix, like pumping out the tank. It won’t be clear until a septic expert is able to inspect the system in person.
If your septic expert determines that it’s time to plan for a replacement, they can recommend the right septic system components and installation approach for your needs. Be sure to reach out to a reputable septic system professional for an inspection if you see any troublesome signs.
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