Your septic tank is one of the most important components of your plumbing system. It’s responsible for ensuring wastewater is properly treated and guided away from your home. You may wonder: What happens when your septic tank backs up? Septic tanks can cause a whole slew of damage to your home. The worst part is that you might not even notice until it’s too late. Consider these possible reasons that your septic tank is backing up and causing problems.

Your Septic Tank Is Full

Although septic tanks are designed to hold at least 1,000 gallons of waste, it is possible for it to reach its maximum capacity. Septic tanks rely on a specific bacteria to break down waste. When waste is broken down by this bacteria, it forms into sludge, which settles on the bottom of the tank. As the sludge accumulates over time, your tank has less space to house more waste, and this will increase the risk of backups.

Intrusive Tree Roots

At first glance, tree roots seem like the last thing that would affect your septic tank. However, this issue is more common than you think. Tree roots that are close to the drain lines are more likely to grow around and through the pipes. This is because the roots are actively searching for nutrients, and the drain pipes are a prime source for them.

When tree roots grow into the drain pipes, they create a blockage, which causes pressure to build up over time. A professional plumber can use a high-pressure water jet to easily get rid of these invasive roots and ensure waste flows through your tank properly.

The Septic Filter Is Blocked

Most septic tanks are equipped with a filter that prevents solid waste from overloading the drainfield. Without this filter, waste can seep into the drainfield and overwhelm it, reducing its efficiency. However, the septic filter is vulnerable to becoming clogged by debris like paper towels instead of toilet paper. Even solid waste can cause a blockage if too much of it accumulates on the filter. A professional plumber can easily rectify this situation by either cleaning it or replacing it.

A backed-up septic tank can cause a lot of issues ranging from standing water and foul odors to property damage and health hazards. If you suspect your septic tank is in need of some attention, Happy & Clean Septic Rescue in Muncie, IN is more than ready to pump and clean it, so contact us to schedule an appointment today.