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Septic / Sewage System Troubleshooting Guide |
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Problem |
Risks |
Potential Cause |
Possible Remedy |
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Sewage backing up into the house, plumbing fixtures do not drain or drain slowly |
Contact with raw sewage effluent is a serious health risk. Numerous diseases exist in household sewage.
AVOID CONTACT. |
Excessive amounts of water entering system
Incorrect plumbing
Blockage in house plumbing
Improper use
Tree roots clogging or damaging pipes
Lift pump failure
Poor system design |
Repair leaking pipe
Reduce water use, install water-saving fixtures
Practice good septic etiquette
Remove tree roots from piping / leach field
Remove any willow trees near system
Clean / service sewage pump |
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Sewage contaminated water surfacing in the yard |
Contact with raw sewage / effluent is a serious health risk. Numerous diseases can be caught from contact with sewage.
AVOID CONTACT. |
Excessive water use
System blockage
Vehicles driving over and damaging piping or leach field
Improper system elevations
Leach field undersized for number of occupants
Pump failure
Incorrect pump set-up |
Fence off the contaminated area until problem is resolved
Repair leaks
Keep vehicles off
Install water-saving fixtures
Pump out septic tank
Contact septic contractor
Have pump serviced |
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Sewage odors in the house |
Toxic sewer gases can cause extreme discomfort and sickness. |
Sewage surfacing in yard
Damaged or incorrectly installed plumbing or vent pipe
Sewage backup in house
Unsealed ejector pump
Roof vent pipe blocked |
Repair plumbing
Pump out septic tank
Check pumps
Put water in all drain traps - check all unused fixtures and drains
Unblock vent pipe |
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Sewage odors outside |
Unpleasant, no serious health risk posed |
Sewage or contaminated water surfacing in yard
Inspection pipe covers damaged or missing
Source other than owner’s system |
Pump out septic tank
Replace covers
Repair or replace leach field
Check sewage pumps operation
Contact local health authority to investigate smell |
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Contaminated potable water, pond or river |
Drinking contaminated water can cause serious health problems
Possible ailments include dysentery and hepatitis. Infants, can also get methemo- globinemia. |
Leach field too close to well or contaminating water table
Cesspool / drywell in use
Sewage discharging to surface or groundwater
Badly installed well
Damaged water supply pipe
Source other than owner’s own system
Broken sewage lines |
Repair septic or leach field problem
Repair water line and disinfect
Replace well and / or septic system
Discontinue using cesspool / drywell, install septic with leach field
Contact local health authority to investigate causes of contamination |
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Lift station alarm activated |
Tank effluent will back up into house with continued usage. |
Pump failed
Fuse or breaker tripped
Pump unplugged
Controls malfunctioning |
Check circuit breaker, plug and outlet
Check controls and pump
Have professional repair or replace pump |
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Pipes and / or leach field system freezes in winter |
System becomes inoperable. |
Incorrect instillation or construction
Check valve in lift station not operating
Low flow rate
Lack of use
Undersized pump |
Have construction checked
Check valve faulty
Increase water use
Increase frequency of pump cycling
Use septic tank as a holding tank - pumping weekly |
