Experts recommend septic pumping every 3 to 5 years. However, you may need to pump sooner, depending on your tank's size and the amount of wastewater generated in your household.
Septic tanks mostly fill up due to sludge accumulation. As time goes by, sludge collects at the bottom of the tank, decreasing its capacity to hold wastewater. If you don't pump your tank regularly, it may fill up and cause plumbing issues.
Below are some of the signs of a full septic tank.
1. Sewage Backup
When a septic tank is full, sewage may back up through the sink, toilet, or other drains. Backup occurs when pipes that carry wastewater to the sewage tank don't drain properly.
Some signs of sewage backup are brown waste and unpleasant odors around your drains. In the worst cases, wastewater may back up through the bathrooms and sinks in large amounts, causing a mess in your home.
Seek septic pumping services immediately if you notice raw sewage coming from your drains. Don't attempt to handle the mess, as sewage contains contaminants that can cause health problems.
2. Bad Odor
When wastewater enters a properly working septic tank, it breaks down into various gases. However, you don't smell the gases because they get trapped in the tank. If the tank gets full, the gases may escape after breaking down, causing foul odors around the tank.
These odors don't cause health problems since they are not in high concentrations. However, they make you uncomfortable. Seek septic pumping services to get rid of the odors and restore the fresh smell of your home.
3. Sluggish Drains
If only one of your drains is draining slowly, it could be clogged. Removing the clog using safe clog cleaners will fix the problem. However, having several slow-draining drains can signify a full septic tank. They may also start producing gurgling noises.
Seek septic tank pumping services immediately if you notice a draining problem. If you don't address the issue, sewage water may come through the drains and create a mess.
4. Standing Water
When a septic tank is full, you may notice pools of standing water in your yard, especially near the tank's drain field. Pooling happens when the tank leaks water on the ground since it has no space to hold more water.
Apart from pools of water in your yard, you may also notice that grass on some parts is greener and healthier. Sewage water contains nutrients that facilitate proper plant growth. The greener grass may be feeding from wastewater hence the color difference.
Contact a local septic tank service, such as A Aaron Super Rooter, to learn more.
Share30 January 2023
As you read the articles on this website, you will notice two things. First, they are all about septic services in some ways. Second, some go deep — and others are full of more surface-level facts. This is kind of like your septic system itself! The tank is buried deep, but the drain field is more superficial. You don't have to be an expert on septic systems, but as someone who owns one, you should at least know how to tell when something is wrong with yours so you can call for service. You'll get that level of understanding from this blog — and probably more!
