Blocked Pipes In Your Sewage Treatment System
Blocked pipes in your sewage disposal system are not an issue that anyone wants to discover, but they should not simply be ignored. The problems will only be compounded in future if they are, so identifying and fixing them should be a priority.
How To Spot The Signs Of Blocked Pipes
Blocked or cracked pipes in your sewage treatment system can often cause even greater issues. Keeping an eye out for the below warning signs are essential to limiting damage and expense.
Toilets and Drains Backing Up
If you notice that your drains aren’t draining as they should, or dark matter coming back up into sinks or toilets, this could be a sign of blocked pipes. These pipes should carry the waste to the septic tank or sewage treatment plant, but if they are blocked, whatever is flushed away will not pass into the tank as it should.
Boggy or Lush Patches of Lawn
Human waste is an excellent fertiliser. If it is escaping directly, untreated into the surrounding area, then it is possible you might see patches of gorgeous verdant vegetation cropping up where the waste is feeding it. If there is water pooling or the ground is becoming bog-like in areas, it can be a key indicator that the pipes are leaking beneath.
Your Septic Tank or Sewage Treatment Plant needs Emptying more Frequently
If the pipes leading the waste water out of the tank become damaged, your sewage processing system will fill more quickly. This is simply due to the fact that the waste that should be leaving the tank doesn’t have enough time to. An overfilled tank will have its own issues beyond requiring more frequent emptying, but this could be one of the first indicators that there is a problem.
Unpleasant Smells
If untreated effluent is escaping, it won’t smell particularly pleasant. Sulphuric smells and other strong whiffs could be an indicator that there is an issue underground. A smell won’t always indicate a problem, but it would be worth some investigation if one appears from seemingly nowhere.
What Causes Pipes To Become Blocked?
Ground Subsidence
Shifting ground conditions could mean that the pipes open up at joints or even crack, allowing soil to enter them. This can result in sudden blockages occurring with very little notice, potentially causing all kinds of contamination and property damage issues as a result of flooding.
Flushing the Wrong Materials
Baby wipes, toiletries and sanitary waste don’t belong in your drains. Flushing them can result in blocked pipes very easily, as they get stuck in the thin, shallow pipes which make up your domestic drainage system. Even pouring away kitchen fats or paints can coat the inside of the pipes and result in them becoming clogged.
A Full Septic Tank
If your septic tank or sewage treatment plant has not been emptied as it should, the waste will start backfilling in the pipes, causing them to block up and prevent more waste from passing through them.
What To Do If You Notice Blocked Pipes In Your Sewage Treatment System?
When you have a cracked or clogged pipe, it’s important to act fast to limit the potential damage. At Proseptic, we offer free, no-obligation sewage treatment advice for residential and commercial drainage systems. Our team of experts is on hand to provide inspection, repair and replacement services for a wide variety of different sewage treatment and drainage solutions, so there’s no one better qualified to get you out of a mess.
Blocked sewage treatment pipes can have nasty consequences, causing damage to your property, sewage treatment plant and the environment. Getting them checked out by an expert is vital to avoid further damage and expenses. If you have noticed a blocked pipe or suspect an issue with your drains, contact us today for help and guidance.
