Most homeowners in Suffolk County, NY, do not think about their cesspool and their liquid waste management needs in the house until it is too late. There are some early signs that these types of systems, which are found in older homes and rural areas, are failing and are going to become problematic in the near future.
While some people may use the terms septic system and cesspool interchangeably, they are different. A cesspool is a combination of a seepage pit to hold the liquid waste as well as a method to then allow the liquid to seep out and into the ground around the cesspool, often known as the drainage field.
Working with a cesspool service is essential at the first sign of a problem. As with the newer septic tank systems, routine care and maintenance, including routine pumping of the cesspool, allows for greater capacity and efficiency. In many areas, if these systems fail, they cannot be replaced with another cesspool, rather the homeowner is required to install a septic system, which can be a significant cost.
Poor Drainage from the Home
Often an easy to overlook sign of a problem is slow draining lines from the home. This includes sinks, showers and baths, toilets and washing machines or dishwashers. Typically, all drains are slower, which lets you know to call a cesspool service and not a plumber to fix a clog.
Green, Lush Grass
When the cesspool is not functioning correctly, the cesspool becomes flooded with organic material. This organic material is known as the biomat, and it becomes progressively thicker, preventing correct draining into the soil. This causes the liquid to remain longer in the tank, which also creates a rising level of effluent towards the surface of the soil.
Typically, signs of lush, green, rapi.dly growing grass over the cesspool is a sign you need to call your cesspool service. If not cleaned and corrected, this effluent water can begin to pool in the yard, creating dangerous health issues and making repairs more difficult and costly.