How To Tell If Your Septic Tank Drain Field Has Failed

12 September 2022
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog


A septic tank is not something that you should forget about. There is a lot happening underground to ensure that your sewage gets disposed of properly, and there are a lot of parts that work together to get the job done. That's why you'll want to know the signs that you have a problem with your septic tank drainfield. 

Sewage Backups

The most obvious problem you'll encounter is when sewage backs up into your home. This can happen with any drain that is connected to your septic tank, such as a toilet, sink, shower, or bathtub. A sewage backup is happening because the solid waste has nowhere to go. 

If the drainfield is damaged, the waste isn't able to escape the tank and seep into the soil. When the tank becomes full, that sewage travels back towards your home and exits through the drain. While this problem could be due to a full septic tank as well, it's a bigger problem when the drainfield is damaged.

Gurgling Sounds

Another problem you can encounter is a gurgling sound coming from your plumbing. This is more likely to happen if someone on the second floor of your home is using the plumbing, and it causes gurgling sounds to come out of drains on the floor beneath it. 

What's happening is that the septic tank is unable to drain and it's holding water. The water is then rising in the tank at a higher level than where it should be. The inlet going into the septic tank is now submerged under the water level, and there is a problem with a lack of ventilation. Airflow can't travel out of the plumbing stack that leads to the top of your roof, which is a big problem. Air in the plumbing line gets forced backward and comes out of the traps in your drains, which is creating the gurgling sound that you're hearing.

Sewage Smells

If you do not hear the gurgling sound, you may smell the aftermath of it happening. This is because those pockets of air are filled with sewage gas from the septic tank. When it gets pushed past the traps beneath a sink, that gas gets released into your home and causes an odor. 

Are you a homeowner experiencing one of these problems? You should definitely hire a septic tank drainfield repair professional to inspect your septic tank and drainfield right away to get to the bottom of why this is happening. 


Share