3 Telltale Signs You May Need a New Septic Tank in Bedford and Pleasantville NY

September 23, 2021 Halstead Media Group

When you take care of your Bedford and Pleasantville NY septic tank, it will take care of you. Don’t ignore these telltale signs that you may need a new septic tank.

How a Septic Tank Works

A septic tank works by removing the waste from your home. The waste flows out through the plumbing pipes to spill into an underground tank. The septic tank is fiberglass and is buried beneath the ground in a low spot of your yard.

As the waste and water flows from the house and into the tank, the contents separate into three layers. The bottom layer is the solids which decompose thanks to beneficial microorganisms and good bacteria. The middle layer is the watery fluids that flow out of the tank into the drain field where they filter slowly back into the ground, removing pollutants and contaminants.

The top layer is composed of oils and grease that don’t decompose and stay in the tank until it is pumped out.

What You Should Know About a Septic System

There are some common misconceptions about a septic system that you should know. Many homeowners think that the septic system is part of the drinking water. This is untrue. The septic system and the water system are two separate things in your home. The septic removes the waste through designated pipes while the water is brought in through a well or municipal water. They never mix and stay entirely separate all the time.

Some homeowners think the septic tank should be pumped every year while others never pump their tank. The truth is that a septic tank should be pumped according to how large your home is and how much wastewater is generated in daily activities. The rule is that most septic tanks should be pumped to remove the sludge and other non-biodegradable substances approximately every 3-5 years.

What Indicates a Failing Septic Tank

The signs that your septic tank is failing are unmistakable. When you notice the toilets backing up after flushing, this can be a sign you should not ignore. Usually the sinks don’t drain all the way and the washing machine gurgles as it empties, too. If you pay close attention to how your sinks and drains are performing, you can catch the problem before it has progressed to a costly septic tank replacement.

Another clear sign of septic trouble is when there are puddles in the yard but there has been no heavy rain. The puddles can indicate leaks in pipes or from the tank itself. You should not see puddles in your yard with a correctly functioning septic tank.

Another indicator is smelling bad odors inside and outside your house. Because the septic tank is airtight, there are no smells that can escape so you should not smell anything that has a sewage odor.

Bright, green, thick tufts of random grass. Grass should grow evenly in your yard so when you see random thickets of grass, this can indicate a leak in a pipe or the septic tank.

A septic tank works exceptionally well to remove the waste from your home, operating according to the pull of gravity. In the rare instances when you think you have a problem, your septic expert can solve the problem and get you back to normal life.