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Septic system, how might you fail me? Let me count the ways…

As long as you pump your septic tank regularly, you should never have a problem. Right...?
pumping tank
Regular septic tank pumping is the single best thing you can do to maintain the health of your septic system, but its not a guarantee of trouble-free septic system ownership.
In an ideal world, if everything is done perfectly by all parties all the time, onsite sewage systems should perform well and their owners should never have a problem. But alas, we don't live in a perfect world. Sometimes "s**t happens" as they say... (pardon the pun). 

Most septic owners have been warned that NOT pumping their tank on a regular basis is the fastest way to doom their septic system to failure. As the septic tank fills up with solids, the effluent water leaving the tank gets dirtier and dirtier and starts to carry solids out with the flow to the drain field. This organic and inert material can clog pipes, drainage stone, and settle out on the bottom of the drain field, accelerating clogging of the infiltrative surface (bottom and side walls of the trenches or bed). 

Given the septic industries' focus on regular pumping, its understandable that many owners believe their septic system should provide decades of service, under all conditions, just as long as they get their tank pumped regularly. However, while regular pumping is certainly the single best thing you can do to maintain the health of your septic system, it is not a guarantee of trouble-free septic system ownership. 

Onsite sewage treatment and dispersal systems are actually complex biological ecosystems that use naturally occurring micro-organisms (that live in the human gut) to digest and treat sewage. When septic systems get overloaded, either hydraulically (too much water) or organically (too much organic matter in the wastewater) they can back-up or break out on the ground surface. If the microbiology in the septic system gets poisoned by toxins, it can negatively impact treatment performance, or cause the septic system to perform poorly in other ways.

In my 25 years of experience as an engineer who has specialized in the planning and design of residential, commercial and small community sewage systems, I have seen or heard of septic systems malfunctioning or failing due to a huge variety of reasons. Some were related to design or installation problems, some were due to equipment failing or wearing out, some occupant or user related, and some age or weather/climate related. Sometimes it is no one's "fault", and everyone learns something new.

Here is a partial list of just some of the things that can cause an onsite sewage system to malfunction, back-up, break-out on the ground surface or otherwise fail. I've tried to group these under one of four main categories, however, some items could fall under more than one category. 
1. User/Occupant or Maintenance Related:
- Inadequate pumping of the septic tank or other lack of maintenance
- Hydraulic overloading from using too much water
- Hydraulic overloading due to leaky plumbing fixtures, especially toilet flappers that generally need replacing every 5 years)
- Hydraulic overloading due to connecting roof downspouts, sump pumps, etc. into the septic.
- Excessively dirty (clogged) septic tank effluent filter or screened pump vault
- Homeowners or guests doing too much laundry on the same day
- Homeowners or guests putting harmful products down the drain (eg. paint, paint thinner, other toxins, excessive bleach or anti-bacterial soaps, quaternary ammonia based cleaning products, kitty litter, etc.)
- Occupants on prolonged antibiotics or chemotherapy (can kill the good microbes in septic tank)
- Solids getting into drain field, organic overloading from not pumping tank often enough
- Overuse of a kitchen sink garbage disposal (in Canada aka a "garburator"). This increases the organic content of the septic tank effluent which can accelerate clogging of the drain field. 
- Putting too much fat, oil, grease down the drain
- Poor landscaping or management of surface water/drainage
- Discharging water softener brine into the septic system
- Driving or building over parts of the septic system
- Using toilet paper that does not break down well
- Using so-called "flushable" wipes (don't flush them!)
- Using excessive amounts of laundry powder that does not dissolve well
- Excessive lint from laundry clogging the drain field (there are economical lint filters than can prevent this)
2. Age or Climate Related:
- General aging of system. The soil loading rates in some (not all) codes and designs are too high to be sustainable and will eventually result in failure from excessive biomat build-up on trench bottoms or sidewalls.
- Progressive clogging/failure due to gravity, trickle-fed distribution.
- Clogging of drain field stone
- "Mud puddle effect" from fines in the drainage stone being washed off by effluent, then deposited at the infiltrative surface, causing a low permeability, hydraulically limiting layer.
- Heavy rainfall or snow melt resulting in soil saturation
- Groundwater levels rising due to extreme weather/climate change
- Frost heave (can separate or rip access risers from tanks, allowing infiltration)
- Root intrusion into pipes, drain field
3. Component or Equipment Related:
- Leaky tank (cracks in concrete tanks, gaps in mastic used to seal seams, deforming or punctures in plastic tanks), leaking gaskets, access riser connections or seams not watertight allowing infiltration or exfiltration (which can cause well contamination)
- Pump failure
- Aerator/blower failure
- Advanced treatment system not performing as expected (discharging poor quality effluent to drain field or the environment)
- Distributing valve malfunction (eg. spring breaks, debris inside valve, back pressure on valve, etc.)
Unfortunately, some septic problems relate to errors in the sizing or design or defects in the installation of the septic system. If you are getting ready to invest in a new septic tank or drain field, the following checklist may be helpful to ensure your system doesn't turn out to be problematic or fail prematurely. 
4. Design/Installation/Construction Related:
- Dirty sand or septic fill not meeting specs (too much clay or silt, or wrong gradation)
- Dirty drainage stone/gravel
- Compaction of native site soils or fill (e.g. by driving over drain field area with tired vehicles) before drain field is installed
- Differential (uneven) settlement of septic fill - can be caused by end-dumping fill in thick layers, rather than spreading fill in thin "lifts", and consolidating with tracked equipment
- Drain field products (e.g. chambers) settling into loose septic fill
- Incorrect soils/site assessment, wrong soil type, permeability
- Incorrect groundwater table assessment (Groundwater table higher than anticipated)
- Inappropriate soil loading rate for the soil or fill type (incorrect system sizing)
- Installation deficiencies (trenches not level, pipes settling, tanks settling)
- Components not watertight, allowing groundwater or surface water infiltration (eg. cracked leaky tanks, leaking risers or riser connections, seals, gaskets, etc.)
- Tank installed in a high groundwater table without adequate anti-flotation ballast to prevent uplift. 
- Poor landscaping or management of surface water/drainage
- Components not designed to be protected from freezing conditions (e.g. pipes not designed/installed to drain, and/or pipes above frost line which stay full between doses without adequate soil cover or equivalent rigid insulation).
- Insufficient primary treatment, inadequate hydraulic retention time (septic/primary tankage volume insufficient)
- System not designed for the right flows (average and peak daily flows, peak instantaneous flows)
- System not designed for the particular wastewater characteristics (e.g. high strength wastewater from restaurants, food processing facilities, etc.)
- Improper distributing valve design/installation, eg. excessive back-pressure on valve, not enough flow, air pockets, wrong cam. The IVM6000 Intelligent Valve Monitor can detect and alert of valve problems. 

Smart septic systems can alert to potential problems before its a big problem

If issues come up, its better to catch them early, rather than wait until a small problem leads to a malfunction, or worse, a full blown failure. Rising liquid levels in one or more parts of the drain field are a strong indication the capacity of the drain field is being exceeded. Early intervention can often prevent the need to replace the entire drain field, usually the most expensive part of the system. SepticSitter™ can keep watch over your tank and drain field and alert you and/or your septic professional at the first sign of a potential problem. 
SepticSitter will keep watch over your septic tank and drain field 24/7, and provide early warning of a potential failure.
No one would even think about buying a new car that didn't have dashboard warning lights to tell you that your engine was overheating or your coolant was running low. But people spend similar amounts of money, or more, on septic systems with no monitoring or advance warning systems whatsoever!

It seems crazy that people will spend tens of thousands of dollars to install a critical piece of infrastructure that can dramatically impact their property value, without having a way to know of potential costly problems before its too late.

Thankfully, technology has evolved and become affordable so that "smart septic systems" are now a reality. There is no longer any reason for septic owners to fall victim to messy, costly, unexpected, failures that endanger public health and pollute groundwater and our waterways. 

When it comes time to sell the home, the historical data from the SepticSitter system can be provided to prospective buyers and their septic system inspectors, to demonstrate that the septic system has a track record of positive performance throughout the year.

Most everyone in the industry has a memorable failure story. We can always learn from each other and hopefully avoid making the same mistakes, so tell us your story in the comments below. If I've missed an important or common cause of septic system failure, I will update the lists above.
stop septic disasters

14 Comments

  • Ewan Sharp
    Septic Sitter provides a comprehensive explanation of how a septic system can fail. This article highlights common causes of septic system failures, such as excessive water usage and lack of maintenance. Valuable insights for homeowners to prevent issues and ensure a healthy septic system. Informative read
    Reply
  • septic tanks repair
    There are several signs that may indicate the need to repair or replace your septic tank. Here are some of the most common: Foul Odors: If you notice a foul odor coming from your drains or yard, it may indicate a problem with your septic tank. This could be a sign of a leak or blockage in the system. Slow Drains: Slow draining sinks, showers, and toilets may indicate a problem with your septic tank. This could be caused by a buildup of solid waste in the tank or a clog in the drain field. Water Backup: If water is backing up into your home or yard, it may indicate that your septic tank is full or has a blockage. Lush Greenery: While green grass is typically a good thing, it can be a sign of a problem with your septic system. If the area above your septic tank or drain field is unusually green, it may indicate that there is a leak or overflow. Age of System: Septic systems typically last 20-30 years, depending on how well they are maintained. If your system is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be time to consider replacing it. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact a professional to assess the problem and recommend the appropriate course of action. In some cases, repairs may be sufficient to address the issue, but in other cases, a full replacement may be necessary. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent major problems and prolong the life of your septic system.
    Reply
  • Cameron Jaggs
    You may have seen people who have city or well water putting chemicals into the sink. However, the chemicals can kill the organisms that break down the matter in a septic and ruin the system. A better idea is to use a drain snake or boiling water to clean out a clog, not a chemical. Check www.modestosepticservice.com for more
    Reply
  • Zoe Campos
    Thanks for explaining to me that regularly pumping our septic tank can guarantee that we won't experience any problem with it. It also got me thinking about what kind of service I would get given that there are already small puddles of wastewater in our lawn. It might be better to turn to experts in septic services and see if cleaning the entire system would help.
    Reply
  • Dave
    This covers a lot of things that haven't crossed my mind. It still seems that in some cases a traditional septic tank would be a better option than a "smart" septic tank. For troubleshooting this will be an improvement, but in most cases you still have to start digging. Nice overview mate.
    Reply
  • Edwards vacuum pump
    Your article is quite helpful! I have so many questions, and you have answered many. Thank you! We have been looking for this information about how septic systems fail. Indeed a great post about it!!
    Reply
  • Septic Services Fort Wayne
    This is a very interesting blog about a septic system and yes, Most septic owners have been warned that NOT pumping their tank on a regular basis is the fastest way to doom their septic system to fail. Keep it up!
    Reply
  • Taylor Hansen
    My current septic system is really old and keeps leaking and making my lawn smell bad. I like how you mentioned that putting too much oil and grease down the drain can ruin the septic system.
    Reply
  • Lyla Peterson
    Tackling problems early can definitely prevent bigger and more expensive problems. There has been some flooding of the grass in the area where my septic tank is, and I think there may be a problem with the pump. I will have this checked out as soon as possible.
    Reply
  • Thomas Clarence
    You made a good point when you explained that regular pumping is the single best maintenance item that you can do for your septic system. Would it be a good idea to have a tank pumped once a month, or once a year? It seems like the amount you do it depends on the number of people that you have living in your home.
    Reply
  • Levi Armstrong
    Although hiring a septic tank pumping service regularly can maintain the efficiency of your septic system, it's also important to have it inspected and maintained because it can fail for a variety of reasons. My husband and I just bought a new home with its own septic tank system, so you're advice is just what we need. We'll definitely follow what you said to make sure it won't overflow or get damaged. Thanks a lot!
    Reply
  • Savannah Septic
    Sometimes sh*t happens might be the truest statement I have ever heard. The SepticSitter is something I will start recommending to my customers after reading your blog.
    Reply
  • Tyler Johnson
    Good to catch a problem in your septic system early rather than later. I wouldn't want to wait to fix something, I think that would make it a lot worse. Will look into your SepticSitter!
    Reply

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