If you are like most people, you probably don’t put too much thought into taking a shower, washing a load of laundry, turning on the dishwasher, or flushing a toilet. While these tasks might seem second-nature and mindless, there’s actually a system that’s hard at work to ensure all of these things can be done: your septic system.

As long as your septic system is in proper working order, you shouldn’t experience any issues with drainage. However, once a problem arises – it reaches capacity or there is a crack or a leak – the results can be disastrous; namely, you could be dealing with a messy, inconvenient, costly, and just plain gross problem. There’s nothing worse than discovering your septic system is backed up and the contents of it are pouring out into your yard, or worse, your home or business!

How can you tell if your septic system is overflowing? Here’s a look at some of the tell-tale signs that it’s time to call a reputable cesspool company to schedule an emergency service.

An Unmistakable Odor

One of the most obvious signs that indicate a septic tank is backing up is a foul odor. The odor is unmistakable; it smells like raw sewage and it is quite overwhelming.

The cause of the smell is obvious: septic tanks contain wastewater and solid waste, and the smell associated with both is overpowering. During the beginning stages of a backup, you’ll probably notice the smell in your yard, where it will be the most intense around the septic tank and its drain field. However, as the backup progresses, the smell can make its way into your home, coming up through drains and toilets.

If you notice an odor that has a distinct raw sewage smell, act quickly and contact a cesspool company to schedule pumping and maintenance.

Flooding

While a water feature might be a nice addition to your yard, if it’s the result of an overflowing septic tank, it’s certainly a feature that you aren’t going to want to stick around.

When a septic system overflows, the water and solid waste push up and out of the tank. That water and waste collected in the area around the tank, and if left untreated, will start to pool. If you spot a puddle of water near your septic tank and it hasn’t been raining or snow hasn’t been melting, it’s a safe bet that the cause is a septic tank back up.

Slow Drainage

A septic tank collects wastewater from your home or business, and that wastewater exits via drains (including toilets). When a backup occurs, you might start to notice drainage issues. You might find that you are standing in a pool of water while you are taking a shower, your washing machine might be a bit sluggish, or your toilets might be slow to empty.

While a clog from hair or soap scum could be to blame, if you’ve tried plunging or using a commercial drain cleaner and the problem persists, it’s highly likely that your septic tank has reached capacity. When that happens, the tank can’t accommodate the wastewater, and hence drainage becomes an issue.

Green Grass
Having a bright green, lush lawn is great, but if the healthiest part of your lawn is around your septic tank, that’s a sign of trouble.

When the tank overflows, the water it pushes out continuously waters your lawn. Additionally, the solid waste that comes out with the water fertilizes the grass. If your lawn is particularly vibrant and full, but only around your septic tank, you probably have a backup.

Sewage Backup

While all of the other signs of an overflowing septic system are troubling, sewage backup is the most worrisome of them all. Why? – Because the water and solid waste that has collected in the tank is actually backing up into your home or business! When a backup occurs, you might notice sewage coming out of the drains in your sinks, showers, and bathtubs, as well as the toilets. If you have a basement, the sewage could flood the space.

Sewage backup isn’t just gross; it’s dangerous! It’s highly toxic and exposure to it could be hazardous to your health. Don’t try to clean the mess up yourself; instead, contact a reputable cesspool company that specializes in sewage backups.

What to Do?

If you notice any of these signs, you need to take quick action. The longer you delay, the worse the problem will become. So, what should you do? Make sure you stay away from any sewage or pooling water, and if the odor is severe, avoid breathing it in. It is advisable to vacate the premises until the matter is attended to. Call a cesspool installer that offers septic tank pumping and maintenance as soon as you possibly can. The sooner you call, the faster the problem can be taken care of and the less damage will occur.

When business owners and homeowners in the East Northport area are faced with septic tank problems, they call Long Island Cesspool. Our family-owned and operated business has more than 10 years of experience and offers both commercial and residential services. We can easily access all areas in the East Northport area, including those located near The Northport VA and Meadowland Park. Our technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will be able to reach you in no time via Pulaski Road, Larkfield Road, and any other street within the village.

When it comes to septic tank overflows, you need prompt and reliable service. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you call East Northport Cesspools at (631) 317-2512.