Signs You May Need to Install a New Septic System

A high-quality septic system that’s been properly installed should last you for many years. As long as you stay on top of your regular preventative maintenance, it should be a long time before you have to worry about installing a new one.

But if you’re not the original owner of your property, or if it’s been a long time since you had your system installed, you might be wondering how to determine when it’s time to invest in a replacement. Even if the septic system isn’t particularly old, there are still circumstances that could necessitate a replacement, such as lack of maintenance or shoddy installation work.

With this in mind, here are a few of the signs you should watch for that indicate you need to call in a professional for new septic system installation:

  • Foul smells: Have you been getting foul sewage smells in your home or in the vicinity of your drain field? This odor goes beyond being an unpleasant nuisance—it also likely indicates a problem with your septic system. It might just be that you’re overdue to have the tank pumped, but in some cases, it might mean you’re using a septic tank that is too small for what you need at your home. Consider upgrading your septic system to reflect the number of people you have in your household and the level of waste you produce.
  • Low flow: Have you seen a significant slowing down of your water flow? This could be a result of a full septic system, or a system that’s experienced some damage. All the drains in your house connect to that system, and if there’s a problem with your septic system, it will affect all of your drains. If you’re only having issues with one drain, then it’s probably an issue with that drain itself. But if all your drains and toilets are draining slowly, you’ll need to either repair or replace your septic system.
  • Standing water: Do you have water pooling around on your property for no apparent reason? This is possibly a result of a percolating septic tank. This means the water that’s leaving the septic system is not getting absorbed into the ground. The weight of that water can damage the system, and the liquid coming up to the surface rather than being absorbed into the ground might be significantly contaminated with bacteria. This could indicate a problem that’s serious enough that you’ll need to replace the septic system.
  • Backup: Any time you have sewage backing up into your home, this is a sign that your septic system is overloaded and you need to have it examined by a professional. Here again, it could either be a sign that you’ve exceeded the maximum time between pumping appointments, but it could also indicate an irreparable problem with the system that necessitates replacement.

Ultimately, you should have a professional carefully inspect your septic system any time you’re dealing with problems like those listed above, so they can determine the severity of the problem and whether or not replacement will be needed. For more information about septic system installation, contact the team at Countryside Construction Inc. today.