Septic Systems

It’s important to know if the condition is a blocked trap or pipe, or if your septic system is failing. Are all house drains and toilets running slow? If it’s only one, it may be a clogged drain. If all are draining slow, or if waste is backing up, the probable cause is in the septic system. A service call is recommended for drain and system inspection to identify the cause and correct the problem.

Septic tanks are commonly “filled” to its normal liquid level. If the level is at or near the top of the tank, it’s considered over-full. First, open the cleanout (typically a 4” PVC pipe with cap) between the house and the tank for assurance that the tank is full. Or, the problem could be in the septic system. In either case, a service call is recommended before the problem gets worse.

Periodic cleaning of your septic tank is key to extending the life of the system. In older tanks, solids can tend to accumulate in the absorption field – leading to clogging and system failure. Most septic systems today have an effluent filter on the discharge side of the tank. Tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years depending on household usage and the size of your tank.

Sewage backup up in sinks, toilets, showers or tubs should be considered a septic system emergency. Don’t ignore the malfunction – it won’t go away by itself. Molitor Plumbing, LLC is a licensed private sewage disposal system contractor. We’re on call for emergencies 24/7.

The pipe which drains waste to the septic system may be partially blocked. As wastewater seeps past the blockage, air can be drawn intermittently into the drains. The gurgling effect is even more noticeable if the tank is overfull and the flow from the house is slowed down. With a partial blockage, there is risk of drains backing up during heavy use by the home’s occupants or during a clothes washer cycle.

A service call is recommended to pump the tank, which should be done on a regular schedule to protect the system and drain field from failure and backups. See our Preventative Maintenance Membership Plan to learn more about features and benefits.

When drain traps dry out over time, the gases that are normally trapped can seep into the house at any time of year. First check to see if the outdoor plumbing vent is blocked by snow or ice. There could also be a rodent that crawled into the vent, and then got stuck, causing a blockage. A service call is recommended to identify cause and correct the problem.

The pump is there to transfer effluent from the tank, which is most likely lower than the septic drainage field, located uphill above the tank. First, check the circuit breaker box to see if the circuit has been tripped. If so, reset it. If it trips again, there may be either an electrical or mechanical problem with the pump.

Regardless, when the alarm goes off, the effluent level is most likely just a few inches from the top of the tank. Don’t waste a lot of time… a service call is recommended, and we are on emergency call 24/7.