If your septic system is too small for your commercial property’s wastewater management needs, you could overwhelm it. Using too much water in a short period, delaying tank pumping and excess tank bacteria are common causes of septic overload.
These and other mistakes could lead to slow-moving drains and whole-building backups. They can also cause pooling water and a clogged drainfield. Fortunately, by catching a septic overload early, you can prevent plumbing disasters. Here are five warning signs that you’re overloading your septic system.
1. Rapid and Significant Increases in Wastewater Production
Are you hosting multiple guests? Have you recently installed a new plumbing-connected appliance? If you suddenly have more people producing wastewater in your building, you could be at risk of overloading your septic system. If you haven’t upgraded the size of your septic system, but you’ve dramatically increased wastewater production, pay careful attention to the functionality of your drains.
2. Sluggish, Slow-Moving Drains
Among the top signs of an overwhelmed septic system are sluggish, slow-moving drains. Although it’s perfectly normal to have a single slow-moving drain, especially if you’re due for preventive drain cleaning, having multiple slow-moving drains at once indicates trouble.
Multi-drain issues could mean that your septic tank can’t process wastewater fast enough. If you keep adding new waste to an overfull and overwhelmed septic tank, it will eventually come rushing back into the building.
3. Gurgling and Bubbling Sounds
Bubbling and gurgling noises coming from your drains are the sounds of slow-moving waste clearing a blockage. You’re most likely to hear these noises when no one is using your plumbing system, and your septic tank finally has the chance to catch up.
When you overwhelm your septic tank, you disrupt the in-tank bacterial activity that breaks up solids. The resulting increase in solid waste and sludge slows the exit of liquid waste and creates clogs.
4. Soggy, Sunken Terrain That Never Dries
Overwhelmed septic tanks can develop leaks due to increased pressure and operational stress. They can also send solid waste into drainfields, causing them to back up. In either case, your landscape could have perpetually wet areas and soft, muddy terrain.
5. A Sudden Profusion of Greenery
When septic tanks leak, they spill their nutrient-dense contents into the surrounding soil. This could lead to a rapid profusion of new growth. If your landscape suddenly appears lush and verdant, you may need emergency tank pumping.
How to Prevent Septic Overload
To avoid overwhelming your septic tank, install efficient, low-flow appliances. Carefully monitor your wastewater production, and space out the use of plumbing-connected appliances. You should also schedule regular tank pumping to avoid drainfield blockages, tank leaks and more. To schedule commercial septic service in Muncie, IN, get in touch with Happy & Clean Septic Rescue now.
