How to Tell if I Need My Septic Tank Pumped

When your septic system is operating as it should, you probably don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about it. However, it’s important to stay on top of regular septic maintenance so your septic system continues to avoid major issues.

A properly maintained system should last you for decades. But if you start to neglect basic maintenance, including regular pumping appointments, you could have extensive (and expensive) problems on your hands.

Most septic experts recommend septic tank pumping every three to five years, depending on the size of your household and the size of the tank. But there are some telltale signs you should watch for that will give you a better indication of when it’s time for you to schedule an appointment.

Here are a few common signs of septic issues that indicate you need to get your tank pumped:

• Foul smells: As your septic tank approaches the point at which it is completely full, there is less space for the odorous gases in the tank. This means they’ll be forced out of the tank and back up through the drains in your home, or out through the drain field. You might notice a smell of sewage or sulfur in or around your home as a result. If you start to notice these smells, it’s a sign you need to get a septic professional out to your property as soon as possible to inspect and potentially pump your tank.
• Particularly lush, green grass: If the grass on top of your drain field appears to be healthier, greener and taller than the other grass on your property, this is a sign that it’s getting extra fertilizer from the septic system. You should have your system inspected as soon as possible.
• Slow draining: Have your drains lost any efficiency? If your septic system is beginning to back up, you might find the drains in your sink, tub and shower do not drain as fast as they normally would, or that your toilet is having a harder time draining. Get in touch with a professional for septic service if you notice this problem so it doesn’t get worse and more expensive to repair.
• Standing water: Septic drain fields might get clogged up if the septic tank is full. This can result in solids entering the drain field environment, or the liquid waste not properly draining off. You might start to see standing water around your property. If you have water pooling in areas over the tank or the drain field, you should have a septic professional come out to your property right away to pump the tank and/or inspect the system.
• Sewage backups: In some particularly severe circumstances, a full septic tank could result in sewage backing up into the home, as there is no room for the waste to go into the tank. This usually only occurs when a homeowner ignores all other warning signs of septic trouble.

For more signs of septic issues and how to know you need to have your septic tank pumped, or to schedule an appointment, contact us at Countryside Construction Inc.

Categorised in: Septic Tank Maintenance

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