How to Identify Early Signs of Septic System Failure

Though a failing septic system is generally a significant headache for a homeowner to deal with,  the good thing is that the signs of a failing system are pretty easy to identify when someone knows what to look for. Even though septic systems are buried underground, they can give off plenty of warning signs that something is wrong. Here are the main ones that homeowners should be aware of and ready to take action on when they notice them on their properties. 

  1. The house’s plumbing drains too slowly.

This applies to all drains — Bathtubs, showers, and sinks. If a tank is too full, for instance, freshly used water will be sitting in the pipes while the tank is slowly outletting water into the drainfield. The drains cannot be unclogged from inside the house.

  1. Water and sewage back up.

If the slow drains aren’t addressed, the next step is for water and sewage to come back up the drains and toilet, which is of course the least desired outcome. This is the surest and most obvious sign of failure, and professionals must be called immediately.

  1. Standing water in the yard near the septic tank and drainfield.

High water tables or high rainfall events can oversaturate a septic drainfield, which can stop the tank from draining water properly. Then water will accumulate on the surface. Alternatively, if it hasn’t rained in quite some time, and a pool of water or even just unusual dampness around the tank develops, this can show that the tank itself is no longer absorbing wastewater as it should.

  1. Unusually bright green grass near the tank and drainfield.

Sewage contains many of the same chemicals that manufactured fertilizer does that assist with vegetation growth. If too much wastewater is leaving a tank, but not so much that a pool of water has developed, the grass surrounding the tank may turn abnormally bright green around the tank. This grass can also be particularly spongy. 

  1. Strong, unpleasant odors.

For most people, the odor created by a failing wastewater system is another of the strongest signs a septic tank is in trouble. If a strong, foul odor, possibly reminiscent of rotten eggs, can be detected by a property’s drainfield and plumbing appliances (or worse yet, in the entire yard or home), sewage has likely been seeping from the tank.

  1. Gurgling noises.

If the toilets or drains produce noises that sound like bubbling or a strongly gurgling stomach, there is something wrong with at very least the plumbing. These noises typically mean there is a clog in the pipes or another mechanical issue in the septic system. 

  1. Algae blooming in nearby bodies of water.

And now for some signs that are a little bit tricker for the average homeowner to pick up on: If there are nearby bodies of water like lakes, rivers, or ponds, the sudden appearance of an excess amount of algae often means the water has been contaminated with nitrogen and/or phosphorus. Both chemicals can be found in a septic tank’s sewage. Of course, if there are numerous septic systems in the area, this sole clue should not necessarily be the only sign relied upon to diagnose a property’s system as failing. It can also be a sign that numerous systems in the area are failing.

  1. Well water is contaminated with nitrates and coliform.

Most properties with septic systems also have private water wells. When well water is found to be contaminated with nitrates and coliform bacteria, a common source is its accompanying septic system. Homeowners should test their well annually for nitrates and coliform bacteria. The following videos from water testing company Tap Score explain the dangers of these contaminants for private wells.

Sources and Further Reading

  1. Signs of Septic System Failure | Washington State Department of Health
  2. 8 Signs of Septic System Failure | Armstrong Bros. Plumbing
  3. Septic System Failure Signs (And What to Do About Them) | Premier Tech Water and Environment
  4. 6 Telltale Signs Your Septic System Is in Trouble | Realtor.com