For any home whose plumbing system isn’t connected to the city sewers, one of the most critical appliances or components in the property’s entirety is the septic tank.
Seeing that it is entrusted with the responsibility of processing all the wastewater that your household produces and carrying it off of the premises, the large tanks bear a vital role that can’t be overlooked. Over time, many homeowners have been urged to note why their septic tanks matter because the repercussions that may come about if they fail to work are severe.
Although most people will worry about wiring failures, foundation-related hurdles, or cracked and peeling walls, the truth is that the tanks bear much greater dangers than one may expect. Besides the worries of higher expenses and compromised safety, there’s one septic tank-related concern that most homeowners find themselves puzzled with: “What causes septic tank failure?”
Whether you’re curious about the inner workings of your home or keen on preventing your pipes from blowing up, it pays to know why tanks fail. Fortunately, understanding the roots of this commonly-feared problem is a guaranteed way to prevent it from happening.
Common Reasons for Septic Tank Failure
Here’s the lowdown on the two most common causes of septic tank failure:
Cause #1: A lack of regularly-scheduled maintenance
Contrary to popular belief, septic tanks aren’t the “no-maintenance” wonders that most California homeowners expect them to be; they’re heavily reliant on regularly-scheduled maintenance procedures!
While it may not seem like much now, a lack of maintenance can do lots of damage to your septic tank because of the various tasks they have to undergo regularly. As a result, the amount of sludge and scum that the appliance holds makes it require regular pumping and maintenance. This is to ensure that the components don’t end up being caught up or impeded from performing their standard functions.
Once enough waste builds up over time without being removed by a trained expert, the tank’s mechanism will end up failing and making way for a host of various problems!
Cause #2: Improper installation
Another common cause of septic tank failures is the presence of improper installation procedures, which explains why many DIY installations lead to a host of different issues.
Unlike most systems in a home, a septic tank is one of the few exceptions to the unspoken rule that anything can be jury-rigged. The main reason proper installation matters the most when it comes to preventing untoward failures is that various technical specifications must be accurate during the procedure.
From the type of soil in the drain field to the level of depth that a septic system is buried in, the factors and details that need to be considered are nearly endless. This is primarily why it’s best to leave the installation process to a pro!
Conclusion
Among all the different problems that you can run into during your homeownership experience, there is none that you must avoid far more than a septic tank failure. By considering the detailed guide above, however, you can prevent that problem from happening and eventually save yourself time, money, and stress by taking the time to avoid common causes from popping up!
We provide professional emergency septic pumping services in the San Francisco Bay Area with decades of experience serving homes and local communities. If you need expert pumping services for your home or business, choose A1 Septic Tank Service today!