More Than a Pipe Dream

Posted on: 10 May 2022

Having a septic tank on your residential property comes with an abundance of benefits. Nonetheless, to enjoy the advantages that it offers, you need to ensure you are providing the septic tank system with rigorous maintenance. With time, this can become cumbersome for some homeowners and, resultantly, they end up neglecting professional upkeep for prolonged periods. While you could be thinking that this is saving you money, the reality is that it puts your plumbing network at risk of a host of issues. And one of the first problems you will likely notice is recurring clogs. Clogs in the plumbing hardware can occur due to a variety of reasons. However, if the clogs are caused by a blocked effluent filter, there are specific symptoms that you should keep an eye out for. Below are symptoms indicating your household's clogged drains are caused by a defective septic tank filter.

Gradually Declining Drainage

The first thing that you should know about the effluent filter is that it is made up of a mesh screen that is designed to allow the seamless flow of wastewater out of the plumbing system and into the drain field. Without adequate cleaning, though, it becomes vulnerable to blockages from soil deposits and, in some instances, the waste that makes its way into the septic tank. Consequently, the flow of wastewater steadily becomes impeded and this will manifest as changes to how water drains down the sink in your home. When left unchecked, you may also start to hear strange gurgling noises that are accompanied by a foul odor. Rather than take a plunger and attempt a DIY fix, it is best to hire a plumber come to investigate the condition of the effluent filter and determine if thorough cleaning will eliminate the clogged drains in your home.

Redirection of the Flow of Effluent

When the effluent filter is in working order, it is designed to eliminate all effluent and wastewater from your home and into the septic tank. Hence, the direction of the flow of wastewater should always be away from your home. The moment that effluent starts to make its way back into the household, you should be concerned about a jeopardized septic tank filter. Admittedly, you can experience wastewater backups when the pipes have become blocked to the point that they do not allow wastewater to pass through. However, this happens over a long period. If the redirection of the flow of effluent seems spontaneous, the problem likely lies with the septic tank filter and this should urge you to hire emergency plumbing services. 

For more information about clogged drains, contact a local plumber.