Septic systems make safe and effective waste management possible in rural and unincorporated areas. If you lack access to a municipal sewer system, you have the challenging and ongoing job of preventing septic tank failure. From clogged drain fields to messy whole-house backups, septic failure can have a significant impact on your wallet. Read on to explore the high costs of septic tank and drain field problems, and learn how to prevent them.

Environmental Damage

Drain field clogs can irreparably damage living landscape elements and flood local soils with biological and chemical contaminants. They can also contaminate local groundwater. You’ll have to pay the high costs of resolving your drain field issues and cleaning up the related mess. In the event of negligence, you might also face stiff fines and other penalties.

Damaged Pipes and Appliances

If you delay septic tank pumping, or your tank or tank lines clog, you might experience a whole-house backup. During one of these events, raw sewage backs up into all connected drains and appliances. The pressure and stress of septic backups can rupture wastewater pipes, loosen pipe connections, or create fast-spreading cracks.

Whole-house backups also affect all plumbing-connected appliances. You might have to replace your dishwasher, washing machine, and garbage disposal. Backups throughout the house can damage appliance wiring and electronics and contaminate internal components.

Cleanup on Neighboring Properties

Biohazardous waste cleanup following septic failure is both time-consuming and expensive. If waste from your septic tank overflows onto a neighboring property, you’ll be responsible for this cleanup, too. You may even face a premises liability claim.

Structural and Electrical Property Damage

Whole-home backups can cause significant electrical and structural damage. These events can damage floors and subfloors, baseboards, drywall, and more. Without proper cleanup, they can also lead to widespread mold problems and lingering, adverse changes in indoor air quality (IAQ). Even with comprehensive cleanup and restoration services, properties can experience significant losses in both value and marketability.

Strategies to Avoid Septic Failures

Staying on top of septic system maintenance will help you avoid septic failure. Have your tank inspected and pumped on a schedule that fits your household size, tank size, and waste management needs. For most homeowners, the best septic pumping schedule is every three to five years.

Avoid overloading your septic system. Don’t use your dishwasher and washing machine multiple times a day or simultaneously. A single washing machine load can add 40 gallons of water to your septic system. Washing back-to-back loads can overwhelm your drain field. When solids don’t have ample time to settle, they can get pushed through to the drain field and cause an overflow.

Practice good drain maintenance. Keep coffee grounds, eggshells, fruit and vegetable peelings, grease, cooking oils, and rendered fats out of your drains. Avoid using soaps and harsh chemical solutions that might upset the balance of your tank.

With a septic system, it’s also important to limit garbage disposal use. Putting more of your food waste in the trash or composting it will reduce the risk of blockages and drain field flooding.

Schedule Septic Service Today

Staying on top of septic system maintenance can save you money on biohazardous waste cleanup, system repairs, and property repairs. To schedule a septic system inspection in Greensboro, NC, contact Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co now!