3 Environmental Consequences of Septic System Neglect

When it comes to a home’s septic systems, you probably think, “out of sight, out of mind.” And it is true that a perfectly running system won’t encroach on your life at all. Unfortunately, however, this isn’t always the case. Your septic lift station, which is responsible for moving wastewater from lower to higher elevations as it travels away from your home, is one component of your septic system that can break in a few ways. Septic lift stations are necessary when the ground surrounding your home doesn’t slope down and away from it. If you have one, you should educate yourself on some common septic lift station problems so that you can deal with them promptly.

Pipe and Pump Clogs

Any pipeline is in danger of becoming clogged due to how narrow and enclosed pipes usually are. The pipes and pumps in your septic lift station can become backed up because of high-density wastewater or solid materials that you shouldn’t flush, like paper towels and wet wipes. When this happens, your septic lift station won’t be able to function properly. A sign that may indicate a clog in the station is slow drainage. For instance, your kitchen sink or bathtub may drain much more slowly than normal.

Pipe and Tank Leaks

Pipe and tank leaks are also common septic lift station problems. Naturally, you don’t want to leave these alone, since they’ll prevent your septic lift station from moving wastewater away from your home and allow that water to start gathering in places you don’t want it. Leaks can occur near your lift station’s motor because of wear and tear from age or shifts in the soil. If you start smelling the unwelcome stench of sewage around your yard, or worse, you notice visible wastewater starting to pool up, you know you have a leak that needs mending.

Malfunctioning Motor

The motor is the heart of your septic lift station because it’s the part that generates the force needed to pump wastewater against gravity. Sometimes, the motor can malfunction, which in turn creates a wastewater buildup. An operational motor will make audible noises as it does its all-important duty. But if it’s not working correctly, it may go completely silent or give off an odd buzzing noise. When you come across buzzing or silence, you should shut off the lift station straight away and call a professional for help.

Now that you know what to look out for with your septic lift station, you should be able to handle issues before they grow out of control. To get your lift station fixed, give Brandon Septic a call at (813) 643-4642. We’re a family-owned septic contractor that has been performing septic installation, maintenance, and repair since 1997.

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