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5 Signs You Should Have Your Septic Tank Pumped
May 09, 2020
Septic Tanks require regular pumping to prevent malfunction and emergency servicing.
Most homeowners spend little time thinking about their septic system... and who can blame them! But this can lead to a real problem if this results in neglect. Every septic system is designed to efficiently process waste for decades IF
it is properly maintained. Did you notice that important word "if" in the last sentence? If a septic system is properly maintained, it will perform beautifully for decades! But if it is neglected, then you will eventually find yourself dealing with a real nightmare!
There are several important elements to an effective maintenance plan for your septic system. The most fundamental, and arguably the most important element required to maintain your septic system is regular pumping of the septic tank. Most experts recommend pumping the septic tank every 3 to 5 years. However it is best to determine the recommendations for your system by evaluating your specific septic system and household water usage.
When a septic system is not properly maintained, there are some tell-tale signs that will indicate that a problem is developing. Let's consider some of the common warning signs that may appear when a septic tank is not being pumped often enough.
Sluggish Drains and/or Flushing
One good indicator that your septic system is starting to show signs of distress is the efficiency of your drains. If your septic system is beginning to back-up, you will most likely notice that your sink, tub, or shower aren't draining as quickly as normal or your toilet doesn't flush as quickly or thoroughly as it should. If you begin to notice this in your home, don't ignore this warning sign. Take action before this builds into a much worse and costly problem.
Odor
As your septic tank fills up, there is less and less space for the odor causing gases in your tank. Sometimes these gases can begin to emanate from your toilet or drains inside the house. Additionally, these odor causing gases can find their way out through your drain field causing a sulphurous or sewage smell around the outside of your home. If you begin to notice these odors in and around your home, call a septic service immediately to take care of this problem before it becomes even worse.
Surprisingly Lush, Green Lawn Over Drainfield
When a septic drain field is functioning properly it shouldn't cause the lawn above to look noticeably better than the rest of the yard. If you can clearly map out your dainfield because the grass is more lush and green than the surrounding areas then there is a problem. This happens because the grass is benefiting from some extra fertilizer in the form of excessive waste liquid. If this is happening in your drainfield, you should have your system inspected immediately before an unsafe and hazardous situation develops.
Standing Water
When a septic tank is full you can begin to notice water pooling in various places around your yard. The most common places for this to occur are in the area around the septic tank and/or the drainfield. If you have water pooling in these areas, this is a sure sign that you need your septic system pumped and inspected immediately. Your septic system is becoming overwhelmed and this can lead to the worst problem of all, sewage backing up into the home.
Sewage Backup
Raw sewage backing up into the home is the most obvious sign of a problem, and certainly something that nobody ever wants to experience. If you are not on a regular pumping/inspection schedule with your septic system and you ignore the signs mentioned above, there is a good chance you will find yourself having to deal with this at some point. If this happens to you, contact a septic service immediately and avoid the area. Hopefully a pumping of your septic tank can resolve the issue, but your entire septic system will need an inspection to determine the cause of this unfortunate situation.
The best way to avoid having to deal with any of the unpleasant signs mentioned above is to follow a regular pumping and inspection schedule. A well maintained septic system can last up to 30 (sometimes 40 or 50) years and save you loads of money, hassle and heartache.
Athens Professional Septic & Drain
is a full-service septic maintenance and repair company, so we’re expertly equipped to handle any type of septic emergency. Even so, the best option to stop disasters before they happen is to sign up for our regular service plan and keep your septic system in tip-top shape.
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Important signs and symptoms that your septic system might be failing
A well designed, properly installed, carefully maintained septic system will function for decades without a problem. But let's be real, this never happens! Whether it's because the architect developed a poor plan, the plumber did a lousy job installing the drain field, or because of neglect, there will inevitably be issues with your septic system. Now, some issues are definitely worse than others when it comes to your septic system. By far, the worst problem that you can experience is when your system fails and sewage backs up directly into your home. It gives me the hebee geebees just thinking about that problem! Ick! Hopefully you will never experience this nightmare. However, there are many other problems that can develop over time with your septic system. The good news is that when your system is properly maintained, it greatly decreases your chances of having a major problem with your septic system. The most important thing that you can do to help make sure that you never develop any major problems with your septic system is to use it correctly! Septic systems are designed to handle water, human waste, and toilet paper. Anything else that you dispose of in your toilet, sink, or bathtub can cause problems with your septic system. For more information about using your toilet as trash can, check out this blog post. 7 Things That Should NEVER be Flushed Down Your Toilet In addition to treating your septic system with kindness and respect, the next thing that should be done on a regular basis is to have your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years. Over time, your septic tank will continuously accumulate solid waste which will eventually fill the tank and prevent the system from working correctly. In order to prevent the problems that will arise from a full septic tank, it needs to be pumped to empty the solids. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common reasons why people develop problems with their septic system. If you haven't had your septic tank pumped within the last 3 to 5 years, you should strongly consider scheduling a pumping in the very near future. Failure to properly care for your septic system can lead to some real problems. There are several warning signs you may encounter when your septic system begins to fail. Please check out this blog post to learn about the symptoms of a failing septic system. 5 Signs You Should Have Your Septic Tank Pumped If you are experiencing any of these issues with your septic system, don't ignore them!
It is quite tempting to use the toilet as a magical trash can that can simply whisk any unwanted item as long as it will fit down that little hole. Trust us! This is not a good approach when it comes to proper care and feeding of your toilet. The only thing your toilet is designed to handle is human waste and toilet paper... that it! And maybe those "flushable wipes," but that's debatable. Flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper can cause major problems for your septic system. We have compiled a list of 7 very commonly flushed items that definitely SHOULD NOT be flushed down the toilet.
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