FAQs

Can My Septic Tank Freeze?

The short answer is yes since the most likely to freeze pipes travel from your home into the tank. There are other components of the tank that are also susceptible to freezing, which include your tank, the drain field and the pipes that lead into it. One important thing to note, is that the more often your septic tank and system are being used, the more likely you can avoid any freezing problems!

If you live in a colder climate area, there are a few things you should be mindful of:

• Fix any issues with draining. It’s very important that you check and repair your septic system’s leak or potential leaks during cold months. This includes leaky toilets and faucets. A routine check for leaks helps you save water and catching a small leak early typically saves you from experiencing a costly repair later.
• Prevent frost. It’s a good idea to layer mulch around your septic tank and septic tank pipes to help prevent freezing. Snow can sometimes serve as an insulating layer, too. However if snow is tightly packed around an area it can cause frost to penetrate into the ground and put your pipes at risk of freezing. So, if you count on snow to insulate your pipes, it’s a good idea to limit foot and vehicle traffic around the area as to not create packed snow. Also, if snow fall is not consistent, mulch is a better option. We recommend laying mulch around your septic tank- and strongly suggest this if there is no other vegetation or grass in the area.

IF your septic system freezes, simply give Speedy Septic Pumping a call! Our professionals are trained to locate the frozen area and fix the problem. Many times waiting is not an option, as something must be done while waiting for better weather conditions and temperatures.

The following list are things that should be avoided, as more damage could result:

• Using anti freeze. Salt or any other additives in an attempt to thaw your septic tank is strongly discouraged.
• Running water. This proves to be ineffective and quite costly.
• Starting fires. A fire on the ground above the septic tank is dangerous and should not be attempted.

Why Does it Seem That Rain Always Causes Issues With My Septic Tank??

If you find raining and septic tank issues seem to always go together, you are not alone. It is common to have some problems when it rains, as significant rain can cause flooding to the area surrounding the drain field, saturating the area and making water unable to flow out of your septic tank. Since the extra water doesn’t have a place to go, it will soon flow backward through the septic tank system and/or up through the toilets or drains in your house. Additionally, drain fields that are flooded can lead to other problems, such as untreated sewage seeping into the groundwater which can mean dangerous contamination.

Here a few ways to reduce the risk of these problems before expected precipitation:

• Do not walk or drive over drain field. Compacting the soil makes it less absorbent. Do what you can to preserve this area.
• Be certain your septic tank is functioning properly. Septic tank problems or septic tank emergencies are usually more serious when the homeowner has neglected to regularly maintain their septic tank system. Septic tank cleaning and septic tank pumping, as well as routine maintenance for your septic tank is the best way to mitigate against issues within your septic tank system.
• Divert any runoff water. If you have a gutter, be sure it is draining away from the drain field. Be certain any runoff water flows away from the drain field to keep it as dry as possible.

While or after the rainfall, you might notice the drain field is flooded or maybe your drains are slowly draining, toilets making noises or water has backed up into a basement or crawlspace. This would indicate your system is being stressed and a professional should come take a look to diagnose. During this time, use your septic tank sparingly (including laundry & showers) to give the soil around the drain field the opportunity to dry out.

Once the rain has stopped, we recommend doing the following:

• Have your septic tank pumped. You might notice debris got into your tank, if so, get your septic tank pumped right away. It’s important to wait until the ground around the septic tank is no longer saturated before opening the tank.
• Have your septic tank serviced. If any of the signs mentioned above are present in your septic system, if you think your septic system could be damaged, or if you see standing water around the drain field (not receding) a Speedy Septic Pumping Professional should come take a look!

Are Septic Tanks Environmentally Friendly?

A resounding YES! In fact, septic tanks offer environmental benefits! First, the septic tank process is totally natural. While many treatment plans use hazardous chemicals to treat their waste, home septic tanks rely on a process that is 100% natural. The bacteria inside your septic tank naturally breaks down waste, rendering the waste products harmless.

Another environmental benefit of using septic tank systems is their protection from disease. Many dangerous diseases are spread via water and soil, but use of a well performing septic system can eliminate this risk and protect those around it from dangerous illnesses. Of course, the protection offered by a septic tank will vary based on the quality of the tank and how well you maintain it….which is another reason to regularly schedule your septic tank inspections.

What is the Replacement or Reserve Area?

This is an area used for expanding or replacing the drain field. Acceptable soils, setbacks and other criteria must be present just like a regular drain field in order to be protected.

What is the Lifespan of a Septic System??

The answer is a wide variety: anywhere from 15-40 years. While septic tanks are designed to be an effective and long-term treatment option for household waste when operated and maintained correctly, sometimes the septic tank can deteriorate or have structural issues. Often times, when a septic tank fails before the expected lifespan it’s almost always because of inconsistent maintenance or failure to address problems when they first present.

There are many factors that contribute to the lifespan of a septic tank, although septic tanks are durable, they must be properly maintained to live and function to their fullest.

The type of septic system can also determine your septic tank’s life expectancy. There are 3 types:

• Concrete. If your septic tank is built with high quality concrete and in a place without acidic soil, there’s a good chance your septic tank and its’ components will last a considerably long time. Septic tanks made of concrete have a much longer life expectancy, lasting anywhere from 40 years to forever IF they are designed well using quality material.
• Steel. Over time and based on factors such as acidity of the soil and quality of the septic tank, steel septic tanks will eventually rust. Certain components within your steel septic tank will last longer than others, but parts such as the cover, baffles and tank bottoms will likely rust out first. In order to protect this from happening without your knowledge and to replace these parts before they completely fail, professional septic tank pumpers can quickly and easily identify these issues during regular maintenance inspections.
• Drain Field. Depending on the size of the drain field, percolation rate of the soil and how frequently it is used, the lifespan of this type of system can be influenced by these variables. A regularly maintained, big drain field with good soil can possibly last for up to or over 50 years. However, without decent piping, it may not last a week.

The most important take away is this: the best and most important way to increase the longevity of your septic tank system is to simply have it regularly maintained. Here’s your friendly reminder: call the Speedy Septic Pumping professionals now 😉

How Can I Locate My Septic System?

You can easily find this by requesting a copy of your property’s septic system record drawing from your local health department or health district. These drawings are referred to as an ‘as-build’, which is a map illustrating where the septic tank system is located on your property.

How Do I Know My Septic Tank Is Working Properly?

The best way to know for sure is to schedule a septic tank evaluation by a septic system professional.

How Can I Tell If There’s a Problem with My Septic Tank?

Some of the first signs of a septic system problem present in the form of sink and toilets backing up into your home, drains such as toilets, sinks, etc. draining slowing, a foul smell or a wet soil or grass near the drain field area. Typically, the drain field can be blamed for a septic system failure, but that’s not always the case. When a septic tank overflows, the effluent passes to the drain field, which can clog the pipe and usually when you start to experience backup into your home.

If any of these signs are present, you should call a septic tank professional immediately to address before anything worsens.

Best Practices for Preventing a Septic Tank Problem?

The best advice we can give- regular maintenance!! That cannot be more important or stressed enough if you own a septic tank. It is the responsibility of the designer and installer to properly prepare your septic tank for work, and the rest is on you. Remember to have a septic tank inspection every year and pump it as needed, but don’t go longer than 3-5 years in between pumps.

Remember also, to use water conservatively, not flush anything harmful to your septic tank system (see post on The DO NOT FLUSH List).

What Should I Do If My Septic Tank Alarm Goes Off??

If your septic tank alarm is going off, something is not right. You can check it yourself, but we recommend calling in a professional, as you may need some experienced guidance.

If you don’t have an aeration device (conventional system) the alarm usually means there is high water. That can usually be attributed to 3 things:

• Failure of the leach field or an outlet line clog
• Clogged effluent filter
• Failure of submersible pump or control float

When you hear your septic tank alarm, don’t assume it means the tank needs to be pumped. Sometimes conducting a septic tank pump could cause the alarm to stop, however it’s likely there’s another reason for the alarm sounding and a professional can get to the bottom of it (literally).