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Septic System Failures
- Leaking interior fixtures, especially toilets.
- Excessive water use.
- Large volume of laundry water in one day. Laundry loads should be
spread out through the course of the week.
- Water conditioning equipment going through septic may harm bacteria
growth in septic tank and deteriorate the tank itself, and may shorten
the life of absorption facility in certain clay-type soils.
- Excess number of people using septic system for extended period of
time beyond the system's design.
- Metal septic tanks. Metal tanks WILL corrode and ruin the leach
field. There is no warning for when the tank will eventually
deteriorate. Once the tank does go, the entire septic system must be
repaired (including leach fields) which can be extremely costly to
repair.
- Too small of a septic tank will cause a system failure.
- Not servicing (pumping) septic tank properly. Only use a reputable
company. For safety, a service pumping and inspection should be done
every 3 years at the very least. Insist on a written report with every
pumping and inspection. It's best to use the same service contractor
for each pumping and inspection since they can spot changes in system
between service calls. For example, a couple buys a small house, with a
septic system that can support two people. The couple then has children
which means usage of water has now increased. Your service contractor
will be able to see if the system can still handle the excess waste
water imposed upon it. Like a family doctor, your service contractor
will know if your system is remaining healthy.
- Poor landscaping. Final grading, if not done properly around and
over the septic system, can contribute to system failure.
- Storm water from gutters, overland flow, footing and and floor
drains, etc. should NEVER enter septic system.
- Don't put food, paper towels, sanitary napkins, etc. into the
septic system. It is not a landfill.
- Heavy use of high strength disinfectants including colored dyes
harm the growth of bacteria in the septic tank.
- Don't rinse paint brushes, rollers, etc. in sink. These types of
chemicals can harm bacteria growth and ground water.
- Dirty water or suspended solids should not leave tank.
- High seasonal ground water (high ground water normally occurs in
the spring).
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