3 Ways A Faulty Septic Tank Is Hazardous To Your Health

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If your home has a septic tank, you may have started noticing a foul smell and sewage backing up into your pipes. If so, you have a problem in your system that should be repaired so you can avoid the following three hazards to your and your family's health, as well as people in the surrounding area.

Sewage Backup Into Your Home 

If your septic tank is overflowing or the main line is clogged or damaged, you will most likely see sewage backing up into your home through the drains. Not only is the sewage foul-smelling, but the fecal and waste matter also contain bacteria, such as E. coli.

Even if you are diligent about cleaning your sinks, shower, or toilet, it can be difficult to keep up with the constant deluge of sewage coming up through your drains. Eventually, the germs could contaminate items you and your family uses, leading to potentially serious illnesses.

Sewage Saturates The Ground Around The Tank

Another way your faulty septic system creates a health hazard is by saturating the ground around the tank. If the pipes or the tank itself is leaking, the waste matter starts to seep into the soil.

If left unchecked, this sewage will eventually make its way up to the surface soil, creating a cesspool in your yard. With the added nutrients from the dirt and water, the bacteria in the sewage can multiply, creating a vast population of the germs. If your children or pets play in the area, they risk becoming very sick.

Contaminated Groundwater Runs Into Fresh Water

As the sewage builds up in your yard, the contaminated groundwater will be washed off during rain storms into surrounding creeks and other freshwater sources. Depending on how quickly the waste water runs off, your yard could start constantly feeding the fresh water with bacteria.

As this happens, the bacteria is allowed to spread and grow in the drinking water. It can also contaminate any soil on its way to fresh water, potentially infecting your neighbors' yard with your sewage and the increasing number of germs found within the waste water.

If your septic system is damaged and leaking sewage, you need to have it fixed as soon as possible to avoid the above health hazards. You should contact a septic tank repair service as soon as possible so they can diagnose the problem and perform the necessary repairs.


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