Regular septic tank pumping and inspection are critical for keeping your home's septic system in good condition and avoiding potentially expensive tank repairs. With that said, septic tanks may need occasional repairs because they're made up of components that wear down from normal use.

Continue reading to learn about some common problems you may have with your residential septic tank.

1. Broken Septic Tank Seal

Although septic tank seals are highly effective at preventing untreated wastewater from contaminating underground water sources, they can become broken or damaged over time. When this happens, you'll be confronted with septic tank leaks.

Sealing the leaks will help keep your tank's contents in, but if your tank is leaking because it has seen better days, you should start thinking about getting it replaced. Depending on your home's location, replacing your septic tank may require replacing the entire waste disposal system.

2. Problems With Septic Tank Pipes

Two main types of pipes connect to your septic tank: inlet and outlet pipes.

The inlet pipes are responsible for delivering all the wastewater and sewage exiting your home into the tank. The outlet pipes, on the other hand, are what discharge liquid waste (called effluent) from the tank into the drain field.

If your septic tank pipes are disjointed or damaged due to tree root intrusion, ground movements, or the operation of heavy vehicles and equipment on the ground above, you may experience backup issues in your home. If timely pipe repairs aren't performed, the problem can easily escalate into a major public health concern.

3. Faulty Septic Tank Baffles

Your septic tank separates all the waste it collects into 3 main layers: solids (sludge), floatables (scum), and liquid waste (effluent). Sitting inside the top of the tank, baffles are designed to keep sludge and scum from exiting the tank along with the effluent.

Septic tanks typically have two baffles: one at the inlet and the other at the outlet. If they become defective from prolonged use, you'll need to replace them to keep your septic tank working efficiently and effectively.

The need for septic tank repairs may be established randomly or during scheduled septic system maintenance. Regardless of the types of septic tank problems you may discover, it's recommended you get them addressed quickly and effectively. The best way to accomplish this is to call a septic system repair specialist for help at the first signs of trouble.

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