If your home is located in a rural area or anywhere outside of an area serviced by a public sewer system, chances are it has a septic system to handle waste.

Unlike a sewer system, which connects your home to a main sewer line that runs to a public wastewater treatment plant, a septic system sends your waste to a holding tank located underground on your property.

It’s up to you, as the homeowner, to maintain your home’s septic system. Here are five signs you may have a septic system problem.

Slow Drainage

If it’s taking a while for water to drain in your sinks or tubs, you may have a blockage in your pipes. Products with harsh chemicals, like Draino, may be great for breaking up this kind of blockage, but they can damage your septic system.

Look into a natural alternative to a typical drain cleaner. There are some great options on the market that use bacteria and enzymes to remove blockages in your pipes and holding tank without harming your septic system.

Sewage Back-Up in Your Home

Sewage backing up into your home is a pretty obvious sign something is wrong with your sewage system! A sewage back-up could mean a few different things:

  • You have a blockage in your pipes preventing waste from draining
  • Your holding tank is too full
  • Too much water entered your holding tank to quickly and the system can’t keep up
  • Your pump isn’t working properly

Depending on what caused your sewage back-up, you may need to call in a professional to help diagnose and repair the problem.

Water Pooling in Your Backyard

If you notice pools of water in your backyard, it could be a sign that your septic system isn’t draining properly. This could be caused by heavy rainfall or a high water table. If that’s the case, limit water use within your home until things outside dry up.

If rainfall or snow melt isn’t the problem, you may have a leak in your septic line. Another more subtle sign of a leak in your tank or line is greener grass growing around your septic system. The wastewater seeping out acts like a fertilizer for your grass, making it greener near the leak.

The Smell of Sewage Inside or Around Your Home

If you smell sewage either inside or outside your home, you could have a problem.

A sewage smell inside your home could mean there’s a venting issue, or a broken seal or cap on one of your interior fixtures. Or, it could also be a sign of a leak in one of your septic lines.

If you smell sewage outside of your home, it could mean your sewage tank is leaking or there’s a problem with your sewage treatment field.

Trees or Shrubs Near Your Septic System

Roots from trees or shrubs are a common problem when it comes to septic systems. These roots can grow around your sewer line, putting so much pressure on it that it eventually cracks. The roots may then start growing right into the line, causing a major blockage.

Once a tree root has taken over a sewer line, the line will need to be replaced. If you have trees or shrubs growing near your septic system, it’s a good idea to get regular sewer inspections to help you spot a potential problem as soon as possible.

If you notice any one of these signs, contact a professional Edmonton sewer contractor to find out what’s best for your home and septic system. For all your septic system needs, contact IVIS Construction Inc.