What do septic problems look like inside the home?
The EPA lists these indoor signs. One alone is a reason to look, and two together are a reason to call the same day:
- Sewage or water backing up into toilets, drains or sinks
- Tubs, showers or sinks that drain slowly
- Gurgling sounds in the plumbing
- A sewage smell indoors
- An alarm sounding on a pump or float system
Is a sewage smell always a septic failure?
No. The EPA says an indoor odor can come from a clogged or frozen roof vent, which may need cleaning or raising. If the odor stays after the vent is cleared, the drain field may be failing.
A backup that shows up first at the lowest drain in the house is worth reporting, because wastewater takes the easiest way out.
What do the signs look like in the yard?
Walk the area over the tank and drain field after a dry spell and look for:
- Standing water or damp spots
- Soil that feels soft, wet or spongy when it has not rained
- Grass that is bright green and lush over the system even in dry weather
- Sewage odor outdoors
- Wastewater showing on the surface
Why is the grass greener over a drain field?
Wastewater that reaches the surface or sits near it feeds the grass, so a lush stripe in a dry week can mean the field is overloaded. It is one clue, not proof. Pair it with other signs, and check whether the stripe follows the lines of the field.
What if the ground is only wet after heavy rain?
Saturated ground has little room to absorb more water, and the EPA says roof drains and sump pumps should discharge away from the drain field. If backups line up with storms, mention that when you call. Ground that stays wet for days in dry weather is a different matter.
What shows up in your water?
The EPA lists algae blooms in nearby lakes and high nitrate or coliform levels in surface water or well water as signs of a system leaking wastewater. If you have a private well near a struggling system, have the water tested. Lake owners can read about the rules around Smith Mountain Lake.
Systems can also fail with no obvious sign, so do not rely on the yard alone. A routine inspection, every 3 years for an average system per the EPA, catches what you cannot see.
What causes a septic system to fail?
The EPA names three common causes. The first is design or installation, such as unsuitable soil, steep slopes or a high water table. The second is skipped maintenance, which lets solids leave the tank and clog the drain field. The third is overload from heavy water use or harsh products.
Central Virginia has a lot of red clay, which can slow water moving through the ground. That does not mean a system is failing, but it is a reason to keep water use steady and follow the pumping schedule.
What should you do first?
Cut the load on the system. Hold off on laundry and long showers, and flush only when necessary. The EPA says to spread water use across the week and to flush only human waste and toilet paper.
- Keep people and pets away from any sewage on the ground or floor, because the EPA warns it may carry harmful pathogens
- Do not open or enter the tank yourself
- Do not pour drain cleaner or chemicals into the system; the EPA says to use boiling water or a snake instead
- Do not add septic additives, which the EPA says can harm the system
- Call a septic company, and describe every sign you have seen
How do you clean up after a backup?
The EPA says cleanup workers should wear long rubber gloves and face protection. Wash tools, clothing and equipment afterward, then disinfect with a mix of 90 percent water and 10 percent household bleach. Keep the area out of use for at least 24 hours after it dries.
When should you call right away?
Call at once if sewage is in the house or on the ground, if several drains back up together, or if an alarm is sounding. If sewage is in the house, see emergency septic service. A crew can start by locating the tank and drain field, open the tank to see whether it is full, and then work out whether pumping, a distribution box repair or something further down the line is needed.
The health department regulates systems and permits; it does not pump tanks. Our guide on septic permits and the health department explains when to call it, for example before a major repair.
The cause is confirmed at the property, not by phone.
Common questions
Should I call the health department or a septic company first?
Call a septic company first when sewage is in the house or on the ground, because pumping and diagnosis are what stop the damage. The health department regulates systems and permits. It becomes the right call before a major repair or when you need your records.
Is one slow drain a septic problem?
Often it is a clog in a single fixture. If several drains are slow, the toilets gurgle, or water backs up in the lowest drain in the house, the problem is more likely the tank or drain field. Compare how many fixtures are affected before you call.
Can a septic system fail without any sign?
Yes. Slow drains, soggy ground, gurgling and backups can all be missing while solids are building up in the tank or drain field. That is why the EPA recommends a professional inspection at least every 3 years for an average system.
Is sewage on the ground dangerous?
The EPA says untreated wastewater may carry harmful pathogens, so keep people, children and pets away from it. Wear gloves for any cleanup and wash everything that touched it. Call a septic company promptly so the source is stopped. Do not walk through it barefoot.
Can a failing system fix itself?
No. Solids that reach a drain field do not break down in place, and the EPA says skipped maintenance leads to clogging. The longer wet ground or slow drains continue, the more likely the repair involves the drain field, so call when you first notice the signs.
Do heavy rains cause septic backups?
They can. Saturated ground leaves the drain field little room to absorb water, and the EPA says rainwater from roof drains and sump pumps should be kept away from it. If backups line up with storms, mention that when you call.