In a house without city sewers, your septic system plays a vital role in plumbing. Your septic tank is responsible for safely disposing of all wastewater from your home.

However, if your septic system fails and starts leaking, it restricts water use inside and outside your home. A leaking septic tank may also endanger the health of the surrounding community.

A leaking septic tank can be the result of the following factors.

Crushed Pipe

Pipes connect all the components of your septic system. A variety of factors can cause damage to the pipes. The most common culprit is putting excess weight on drain pipes — such as when parking or driving over plumbing lines.

The damaged pipes can result in wastewater leaks.

Tree Roots

Tree roots are a significant cause of alarm in a yard with a septic tank. Plants' roots are usually in search of moisture. Underground roots can destroy both sewer pipes and septic tanks. 

A septic tank leak caused by tree roots is difficult to spot. One surefire sign you should look out for is swampy water above the tank or drain field.

Old Age

Depending on maintenance schedules and care, a septic tank can last for a few decades. However, the tank will eventually degrade.

When you ignore the signs of aging and need replacement, your septic system could leak. 

Too Many Chemicals

Your septic tank creates space with the help of naturally occurring bacteria. The bacteria in a septic tank break down waste before it reaches the drainage field.

Using too many cleaning products can kill the bacteria essential to keep a septic system in good shape. A lack of bacteria in the tank will prevent solids from breaking down. The solids accumulate faster than usual. As a result, the tank may overflow, or the drainage pipes may clog.

Thus, cleaning products like bleach, toilet cleaners, and disinfectants should not enter the septic system.

Insufficient Maintenance

Septic systems work by transferring wastewater into tanks. Solid waste and non-biodegradable materials settle at the bottom of the tank as the wastewater passes through. Oil and grease float to the top of the wastewater as scum. 

Solid waste and scum remain in the tank, so they cannot contaminate groundwater, and water goes into the drain field. In due time, some of the debris and scum in the tank will break down, but not all of it. 

Therefore, you should pump your septic tank to remove the scum and debris built over time. Failure to maintain your septic system will eventually lead to an overflow.

Pumping frequency depends on the size of the tank and the amount of wastewater it holds. The recommendation, however, is to pump septic tanks every three to five years.

Excessive Water Use

Septic tanks can accommodate a certain amount of water, depending on the size of your home. The rate at which your septic tank discharges wastewater should be the same or faster than the rate it takes in the water.

When your septic system takes on too much wastewater, the tank fills up before it can empty again. As the full tank cannot hold excess water, the water must go elsewhere. In most cases, your lawn or your pipes receive the wastewater as leakage.

Often, a septic tank that can't accommodate your water needs is too small for your home.

Septic tank failure is a very serious and often costly problem. By avoiding most of the issues mentioned above, you won't have to worry about leaks. Regular maintenance and inspections can help you prevent leaks and other serious problems.

Contact us today for all of your septic system repair and maintenance needs.