Questions & answers about the cause, effects, & repair of septic tank leaks.

This article series explains where and why septic tanks might leak, why surface water or runoff leaking into a septic tank is bad, and why septic effluent leaking out of a septic tank can also be a problem.

Q&A on Causes, Effects, & Repair of Septic Tank Leaks

These questions & answers about leaks at septic tanks - leaks into and leaks out of the septic tank - were posted originally at SEPTIC TANK LEAKS - please be sure to read that article.

On 2018-07-25 by (mod) - septic tank leaks from bad concrete mix

UC

It makes sense to do some careful inspection of the septic tank top, sides, bottom, with the tank having been pumped and washed down, to get an idea if the defective concrete is a local problem or if the whole tank needs to be replaced.

Your contractor needs to inspect the tank exterior as well as interior.

Watch out: do not try to enter or even lean over a septic tank - you can be overcome by fumes, fall in, die. Special training and equipment are needed and the workers also should never work alone.

See SEPTIC TANK SAFETY

Smaller, limited area damage to a concrete septic tank can usually be repaired using a suitable sealant.

See SEAL CRACKS in CONCRETE

On 2018-08-24 by U. C. Boruah

Wall of septic tank leakage due to improper cement ratio. You

On 2018-07-25 by (mod) -

Scott

See DISTANCES & CLEARANCES, SEPTIC COMPONENT at https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Clearance_Distances.php

But keep in mind that the septic tank should not be leaking in any case. If your septic tank or that of your neighbour is leaking the cause needs to be diagnosed and repaired.

On 2018-07-25 by Scott Andreasen

How far should a septic tank and pump tank be set back from the property line to prevent leakage and seepage contamination of the neighbors property?

On 2018-05-17 by (mod) -

You will probably excavate around the tank top, clean the surfaces, and apply a flexible sealant such as a polyturethane caulk.

You'll also want to direct surface runoff away from the tank.

See SEAL CRACKS in CONCRETE

On 2018-05-17 by Barbara

Thanks for replying. Is the best fix to dig around the outside and seal it? What do you use to seal it?

On 2018-05-14 by (mod) - dangerous attempts to seal a septic tank interior

Watch out: It might be possible to seal a septic tank from the interior but it is an extremely dangerous tasks requiring special training and Equipment.

Entering a septic tank even one that has been pumped out and washed can quickly overcome in Kill and unprepared worker.

On 2018-05-14 by Barbara

Our septic tank (in North Carolina) is a two-part concrete tank with a seal between the two parts.

A leak has developed at the seal. A neighbor suggested digging around the outside of the tank and applying hydraulic cement to fix the leak. This would be difficult as we are in the mountains and the rocky ground makes it difficult to dig.

Can it be pumped out and fixed from the inside? If so how could it be done?

On 2017-03-18 by (mod) - some concrete septic tanks can be repaired

If you are asking, Terry, if a concrete septic tank be repaired, as my brilliant Florida inspector friend Mark Cramer says " ... well ... it depends."

If there is a bad or unsafe cover that gets replaced if the rest of the tank is sound

If the cover is leaking that can be repaired or sealed

If the tank sides or bottom are leaking (and it's concrete) the tank can often be emptied, cleaned, and repaired BY A PROFESSIONAL WITH PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT

As going into or falling into or just leaning over a septic tank can kill you (methane gas)

If the tank is badly crumbling concrete (spalling) from bad original materials, it's probably not repairable.

On 2017-03-18 1 by Terry

Can a con rest tank be repared

On 2016-03-31 by (mod) - neighbor's septic tank leaks and isn't getting fixed

I think this is a problem for your local Health Department, not the DEQ.

If your neighbor is elderly and lacks Financial Resources, perhaps there is a senior citizen aid fund in your neighborhood. Ask your health department for assistance.

On 2016-03-30 by The Neighbor

Have a neighbor who has a leaking septic system and either cannot afford to call a repair company or is afraid to given she did some "additions" to her house for extended family.

Regardless, as a neighbor smelling this and noticed her shoveliing bodily waste into a wheel barrel to a burnpile. Can DEQ anonyomously checkout the neighbor?

On 2016-02-25 1 by Jennifer

Men installing drain field here now. Ran out of pvc glue and are just beating the pipes to the drain field together. Is this satisfactory? Orangeburg, SC.

On 2015-12-04 0 by Anonymous

I would fond the leak by digging at a visible wet spot ir if it's a long run, hire a plumber with a camera to scope the line.

On 2015-12-04 by Anonymous

how do i fix a leak from my house to my septic tank

Question: where to report septic backups and leaks from neighbours

(Apr 24, 2011) me said:
who do I report neighbors septic backing up all over there yard and nothing being done about it

Reply: local health department

To Whom Do I Report a Neighbor's Backing-up Septic if They Won't Fix It?

If your neighbor's septic system is sending septic effluent (sewage water) to the ground surface, to a nearby stream or lake, or onto your own property, it is a health concern for everyone nearby. It is of course best to bring your worries directly to the property owners where the failure is occurring.

When the owners of a property with a failing septic system are unwilling or unable to address the problem, you may have to ask for help from your local department of health. In most communities the health department of board of health is the agency that regulates onsite waste disposal systems.

Finally, if there is uncertainty about just where the sewage effluent is originating, often a dye test (seeSEPTIC LOADING & DYE TEST PROCEDURE - home) can help sort out that confusion.

Question: water leaking out of septic tank lid

(Nov 19, 2011) David said:
I just purchased a home in a rural setting. I currently have water seeping out the top of the tank from the lid of the tank. What would cause this and how would I go about fixing the problem

Reply: uh oh!

David:

Ah geez, the Greeks killed messengers who brought bad news (so I have to add that I'm writing from an undisclosed location out of the U.S.)

But it sure sounds as if your septic system is in trouble. Most likely the outlet from the septic tank is blocked. If you're lucky it's a damaged pipe or outlet baffle or tee. But equally often this problem shows up when the septic drainfield is saturated - and needs replacement - and is expensive.

Another common cause is a drainfield flooded by surface runoff or other water leaking into the drainfield or septic tank itself, such as from roof drainage or area flooding.

Some digging and looking can help diagnose the problem or search InspectApedia for "how to find the D-box" and open it up to see if effluent is backing up there too. If not the blockage is between the tank and the D-box (good news).

Question: septic inspector said the septic tank is leaking

(July 11, 2012) Eli said:
I am trying to buy a house with a septic tank. When they did the septic inspection they said that the septic tank was leaking. Well first they said they had to fill it with water to check if it had any leaks because there wasn't enough in it to check it.

So once they did this then they came back the next day to see if the level of water had gone down they said that it went down 3" which is not good...What is your take on it?

additional information...the company that is selling the house is willing to see two estimates for the septic repairs. Do you know what ballpark figure I'm looking at?

Reply:

Eli, if the tank was filled to just the level of the bottom of the outlet pipe and there was no use overnight and if when inspected the next day the level was below that point there is a leak.

Question: septic tank leaks near a lake

(Aug 25, 2014) Anonymous said:
I live near a lake ,if the septic tank leaks will it make it's way into the lake

Reply:

Anon:

Perhaps that's why current plumbing codes require a clearance distance between septic tank and lake.

You might want to have the tank opened, pumped, cleaned, and inspected to determine its condition.

See SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES

...

Continue reading  at SEPTIC TANK LEAKS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Septic Tank Articles

• CAULK & SEALANT CHOICES, products list for possible septic tank lid or pipe connection sealants to keep water out of the tank
• INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING
• INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK DURING PUMPING
• INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK AFTER PUMPING where we describe septic tank inspection mirrors, cameras & other tools
• MEASURE SEPTIC TANK SCUM & SLUDGE how we measure the thickness of septic tank floating scum and bottom sludge levels.
• SEAL CRACKS in CONCRETE
• SEPTIC TANK BACK FLOODING - a common source of flooded septic tanks: failed drainfield / soak bed
• SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
• SEPTIC TANK LEAKS
• SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE for a discussion of the normal levels of sewage found in a septic tank.

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC TANK LEAK FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

---

ADVERTISEMENT

---