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
When a private septic system fails, the area around the septic tank/field may become soaking wet. This is an indication that your system may back up into the house. In a public system, the waste line becomes sluggish and does not drain properly. This may be an indication that the sewer pipe is restricted, likely by tree roots growing into the sewer line. Many home or business owners do not know that they own the lateral line that connects a building to a municipal sewer system. The lateral line is usually a 4” or larger diameter pipe that is buried under your front lawn and ties into the street sewer line. Plumbers recommend cleaning the lateral every other year or sooner.
The most obvious sign is water backing up in your basement, toilets, or shower pan. If that has not happened yet, but your house begins to smell like sewage, it may mean your septic system is backing up. If you know you have a clog or notice your sink or shower draining slowly, it is time to have a professional in to assess the clog and have your septic tank pumped. If you have new swales or indentations in your front lawn, your lateral may be partially collapsed and allowing tree roots and debris to enter your lateral. This will lead to a sewer backup.
Sometimes heavy rains will cause a backup in a municipal system because the treatment plant cannot keep up with the excessive flow of water in a combined sewer/storm system. When this occurs, the wastewater will back up into your home through no fault of your own. If a neighbor discharges large volumes of wastewater into the sewer system, this could affect the ability of the system to accept your waster and a backup may occur.
In private septic systems, any heavy equipment, trucks, tractors etc that cross your buried septic line may change the slope of the pipe sending waste back into the house. The discharge line may be crushed by traveling over the septic pipe, which again will send waste into your house. A Blackwater Alert would alarm you of the failure before virus and bacteria-laden waste enters your basement or living space.
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