Your septic tank does more for you than you realize. Without it, and without a public sewer connection, you wouldn't really be able to have a toilet or running water in your home. So, what does your septic system ask from you in return? It asks that you are careful not to put too many harsh chemicals down your drains. It asks that you only flush septic-friendly toilet paper. And it asks to be pumped out every now and then. That's about it! Read more about septic services here, and you'll know all that you need to know to be a good septic system owner.
Do You Know How To Tell When Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping?
There are a variety of factors that go into determining just how often your septic tank needs to be pumped. For instance, an increase in water usage, a decrease in bacteria levels, and the addition or removal of a garbage disposal can all impact how quickly your tank fills up. With so many variables to consider, it is simply impossible to judge your need for septic tank pumping services based on time alone. That is why it is so important for you to know how to spot the signs that your septic tank is in need of pumping so that you can address this need quickly and avoid any significant damage to your property as the result of an overflowing tank.
Gurgling or Slow Drains
The fuller your septic tank becomes, the more difficult it will be for your tank to release enough grey water into the drain field in order to make room for new waste. As a result, you will often experience slow drains or drains that make a gurgling sound as the water goes down.
It is important to note that these same symptoms can also be attributed to a blockage in your drain pipe. A good way to tell if you are dealing with a full septic tank or a drain blockage is to determine whether the issue is present in just a single drain or throughout your entire home. If the issue seems to be isolated, you are most likely dealing with a blockage and should call your plumber to address this issue. However, if the issue seems to be system-wide, you are more likely dealing with a full septic tank and should call to have your tank pumped as soon as possible.
Puddling In Drain Field
As your septic tank fills it will be forced to release more and more water into your drain field in order to accommodate the incoming water from your home. Your tank may also experience leaking water as it reaches maximum capacity. Both of these issues can result in a significant increase in the groundwater levels in your drain field. Oftentimes, you will see evidence of this rise in groundwater levels in the form of puddling. You may also notice that the grass around your drain field is much greener than the grass in other areas of your property.
Presence Of Foul Odors
As the amount of raw sewage and sludge inside your septic tank begin to reach maximum capacity, these solid waste materials will emit rather foul-smelling odors that can often be detected both through the drains in your home and in the drainage field. This is often the final stage before your tank overflows and sewage begins backing up into your yard and home. Therefore, you will want to act quickly in securing septic tank pumping services if you begin to smell these rather unpleasant odors.
Call a septic tank pumping service if you believe it is time to pump your tank.