Many people who own homes that use a septic tank system tend not to think about it. Most may not even realize that it requires some maintenance and can become full and cause a whole boatload of problems if you don’t pay attention. As time goes by, more and more sludge will probably build up in your septic tank. Eventually, it will get to the point where it affects both the intake and outtake valves of the tank – and lead to more severe issues. To make sure things don’t get to that point, you need to know how to identify the signs that your septic tank needs to be emptied.
How To Identify Signs That Your Septic Tank Needs To Be Emptied?
Slow drainage
Is water draining slowly from your sinks, toilets, washing machine, and other outlets? While slow drainage through a single outlet may be an isolated clog, if it is consistently draining slowly throughout your home. It is likely an early sign that your septic tank is starting to get full.
Bad odor near the tank
At normal times you shouldn’t be able to smell anything when you’re near the area above your tank. However, if your tank is full, the sewage will be close to the surface. Also, you will probably get a very distinct smell coming from it when you’re standing anywhere nearby.
Also Check: How To Take Care And Repair Your Water Heater?
Overflowing pools of water
Another surefire sign that your septic tank is full and needs to be emptied is if there are pools of water in the area above your tank. In most cases, the tank is so full that it is overflowing.
As you can imagine, these pools will stink, making it hard to miss them. In some cases, you may not notice the pools due to the grass. In that case, you should keep an eye out for nearby grass that is particularly lush due to the extra water and nutrients that the overflow provides.
Sewage backup
If your septic tank is completely blocked, eventually, sewage from it may back up through drainage outlets in your sink, shower, and so on. This is a big problem that can lead to lots of damage, and if the situation is this bad, you should call septic tank services immediately.
Sewage backup will typically start at the lowest drains, so those are the ones you should pay attention to.
Also Check: Top 4 Reasons to Use Float Switches
Gurgling pipes
While pipes can gurgle for many reasons, one of the most common is that the septic tank is getting backed up. If it’s a one-off occurrence, you don’t need to worry too much. But if you notice a consistent gurgling noise from your drainage pipes, you should take precautions.
Now that you know the signs to look out for, you should be able to identify a potentially full septic tank more quickly. That, in turn, will let you take action to get it emptied before things get terrible. As a rule, it is recommended that you empty your septic tank at least once every three to five years. The exact interval may vary depending on the amount of wastewater used, the amount of solid waste, and the septic tank size.
Try to keep track of when your septic tank was last emptied. If you’ve just shifted into a new home, make it a point to ask the former owners (and maybe have it checked before moving in).
Make no mistake, a full septic tank can be a big mess. So, it is worth doing everything possible to avoid it.
Also Check: 8 Top Essential Wood Workshop Tools
