Other Signs of Trouble With Septic Systems

Besides the obvious of a blocked drain or sewage in the yard or septic tank overflow, there are other signs that the septic system may be failing.

Here we give the most-common and easy-to-spot examples.

This article series rovides advice for home buyers who are buying a home with a private septic system: homes using a septic tank and drainfield or similar soil absorption system.

Other signs of trouble with a septic system

Slow Building Drains can indicate septic system trouble

Slow flushing toilets (such as shown in this photo), shower or tub or sink drains, can indicate a developing septic system problem, though it could also be a partial drain blockage.

That is, slow fixture drains may be system-related but it could also indicate just a clog in the interior piping or sewer line.

You should have the interior piping checked before proceeding with an investigation of the sewage disposal system.

See CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR for a guide in how to determine if a slow drain is a clogged pipe or a septic system problem.

Washing Machine Backups can mean septic system or drywell trouble or even a public sewer line problem

Washing machine backups: Large volume wastewater discharges (such as, washing machines, dishwashers and bathtubs) may cause either a backup, as noted above, or, an overflow of sewage above the septic tank or leaching field.

If this condition is usually at its worst during and/or directly following a heavy rain event, then the septic system is indeed suspect.

If backup alone occurs independent of wet weather, you might first check for a partial blockage of the main drain that has occurred some distance from the house.

In such cases a small discharge will simply be held by the main waste pipe, draining slowly past the blockage, while a large discharge will cause a backup.

Septic or sewage odors can indivate septic system trouble

Foul septic odors in storm drainage piping, catch basins, footing drain piping or curtain drain discharges may indicate that sewage from your property or an adjacent one is entering these ground water systems.

Above we're demonstrating using a TIF8800 combustible gas detector to "sniff" for sewage odors at a sink drain. But Watch out: depending on its sensitivity dial setting this instrument is so sensitive that it will respond with a shriek to even normal drain odors that simply come from wastewater in the trap.

See "SEWER GAS ODORS diagnosing, finding, and curing septic tank and sewer line smells" and if odors are occurring in wet or cold weather, be sure to

also see "SEWER GAS ODORS in COLD / WET WEATHER - Septic Odors or Sewage Odor Diagnosis & Repair Guide for diagnosing and eliminating cold weather sewer gas odors"

...

...

Continue reading  at HOME BUYER'S SEPTIC TEST or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• SEPTIC SYSTEM TEST BASICS - quick guide for buying a home with a septic tank
• HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS - complete guide to buying a home with a septic tank
• HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC INSPECT
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST - home
• PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS.
• SEPTIC DISPOSAL FIELD CLOGGING INSPECTION
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE CAUSES
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
• SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
• SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT
• SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS
• SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS
• SEPTIC ODORS INDICATING DRAINFIELD FAILURE
• SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT
• SEPTIC TROUBLE SIGNS, OTHER
• SOAKBED SOIL CONDITIONS
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS?
• SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND
• SEPTIC TESTS: DYE & LOADING TESTS
• SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
• SEPTIC / SEWAGE SOIL CONTAMINATION HAZARDS
• SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY
• SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC TROUBLE SIGNS, OTHER 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

Questions & answers or comments about how to spot trouble with a septic system when buying a home.

	HOME	ABOUT	ASK a QUESTION	CONTACT	CONTENT USE POLICY	DESCRIPTION	POLICIES	PRINT	PRIVACY
	© 2026 - 1985 Publisher InspectApedia.com - Daniel Friedman