A Wesco Septic

Symptoms of a Lurking Septic System Problem

Septic tanks are great for removing waste from the home. But over time, they can start working improperly, causing sewage and foul smells to pervade the property. Here are some of the symptoms of a lurking septic system problem:

Bad Odor

• A bad odor is one of the first signs that something might be wrong with your septic system. Ordinarily, septic systems emit a foul smell when tanks build up too much waste or start leaking. Septic systems may also start smelling if there is a chemical imbalance in the tank. If you notice any of these issues, contact a professional to prevent more serious issues from occurring.

Sewage Backup in Home

• Sewage backing up is a sure sign that something is wrong with your septic system. For the most part, this issue occurs when septic lines become damaged or blocked with debris. Since sewage is unsightly and can cause human health problems, you should talk with a septic pumping company the moment this problem arises. In the future, avoid flushing paper towels, cotton swabs, and any other items besides toilet paper because they can clog septic lines.

Muddy Soil above Tank

• Is the soil around your tank muddy or flooded? If so, it’s likely that your septic tank is full and needs to be drained. While timespans vary, you should consider having your septic system emptied every one to three years. This will keep your system working properly, leaving you with less to worry about.

Gurgling Noises

• Your ears can usually tell you if something is wrong with your septic system. For example, backed-up lines often make a gurgling noise, since water is not able to pass through them easily. Having a septic tank service company add bacteria to your lines will eliminate these clogs, allowing the system to work normally again.

If you notice any of these problems plaguing your septic system, call the professionals at A Wesco Septic in Snohomish. We’ll get your system up and running in no time. Contact us today by going to our website or calling our office at (360) 799-4297.

A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems

For homes outside the city, septic systems are essential because they store waste materials that are flushed down the drain. Despite this fact, many homeowners do not know much about their own septic systems, let alone how to take care of them. Happily, septic systems are generally very easy to maintain.

In this video, you’ll learn a few facts about taking care of your septic system. A water control professional discusses the importance of having your septic tank and filter cleaned often. He also shows you why you should never plant large trees close to your septic system.

To learn more about septic system maintenance, call A Wesco Septic. We provide septic system repair and pumping services for residents in the Snohomish area, so contact us at (360) 799-4297.

Efficient Water Use Improves Your Septic System's Efficiency and Reduces the Chance of Problems!

There are numerous ways you can take better care of your septic system. However, one of the most overlooked methods is to simply use less water. Practicing basic water conservation techniques, such as showering less often, is a great way to keep your septic system running efficiently and to prevent problems from arising. Here are some of ways that you can use water better around your house:

Limit Washing Machine Use

If you like to do all of your laundry in one day, you should think about altering that routine. Consecutive washing cycles flush more water down the drain than a septic system’s drain field can handle. Over time, this can lead to problems such as flooding and backups.

Reduce Toilet Water Usage

Many homeowners do not realize it, but toilets are huge water wasters. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, about 30% of all household water usage comes from toilets. Since you probably don’t want this much wastewater flowing into your septic tank, you should consider replacing your old toilet with a newer, water-saving one. For example, pressure-assist toilets only use one gallon of water per flush, promoting greater efficiency than traditional toilets.

Shower Wisely

There are few things better than relaxing in the steam of a hot shower. However, this practice uses a lot of water, causing your septic system to fill up faster. To address this issue, try to cut back on your showering time by a minute or more per use and consider using the shower only once a day.

Check for Leaks

Water leaks contribute to high water bills and septic tank overfilling. In order to address leaks as soon as possible, you should routinely inspect your toilets and sinks. If you spot a leak, have it repaired by a plumbing professional. This will save you a lot of money and water in the long run.

These are only a few of the ways in which you can save water at home. For more information on water usage and septic systems, make an appointment with A Wesco Septic in Snohomish by calling (360) 799-4297 today.

Explore These Links To Learn More About Common Septic System Problems And Emergencies

To ensure that your septic system effectively and safely treats your home’s wastewater, schedule regular pumping and inspections with A Wesco Septic of Snohomish. Since 1987, we have helped King County homeowners ensure that their septic tanks are clean and that their drain fields are healthy. Call us at (360) 799-4297 to schedule routine or emergency septic services. You can also visit the sites below to learn more about potential septic system problems.

Read this informative guide from the King County Public Health Department to learn more about septic tank pumping.

This article from Yahoo!Voices explains more reasons why your septic system’s alarm may go off.

Learn why septic systems malfunction by reading this fact sheet from The Ohio State University.

If you’ve just bought an older home and can’t locate the septic tank, you can find help at This Old House.

Take care of the septic system in your home by following these tips.

Reasons Why Your Septic Tank Alarm is Going Off

Many home septic systems use an electric pump to move wastewater, or effluent, from the tank’s second chamber to the leach field. These pumps have a limited lifespan, usually only about 10 years. Also, a septic tank equipped with a pump should have an alarm system that alerts you if there are any problems with the septic tank. If your tank’s alarm goes off, it might be because:

The Pump Has Failed

Septic systems that rely on a pump to maintain a constant level of effluent in the tank will overflow if the pump fails. An overflowing septic tank will saturate the drain field, which is not capable of treating an excessive amount of wastewater. When this happens, your groundwater can be contaminated by untreated sewage. Schedule regular septic tank cleanings to avoid this problem, and call a professional if the tank alarm goes off.

The System Is Overloaded

Your septic system can only hold a finite amount of water and solids, and certain conditions may cause it to overflow even if the pump is working properly. For example, if you wash multiple loads of laundry during a rainstorm, the unusually large amount of water can flood the tank and set off the alarm. Call for emergency septic tank services if this happens in order to avoid drain field failure.

The Pipes Are Clogged

Several pipes feed your main sewage line, and a branching network of pipes feeds your septic drain field. Flushing improper materials down the toilet can clog your septic system at any point, so be careful to only put approved biodegradable waste down your drains. Do not pour kitchen grease or other liquid waste into your sinks, and never flush paper towels, cotton swabs, facial tissues, or other solid items.

If your septic tank alarm goes off at any time, call A Wesco Septic at (360) 799-4297. We provide 24-hour emergency septic tank service to homes in Snohomish and throughout King County. We can clean out your tank and repair or replace damaged pipes and pumps to ensure that your wastewater is properly treated.