Four Signs Your Septic Tank Needs To Be Pumped
If you listen close enough, your home will speak to you. It'll tell you when you need a new roof, when you need new flooring, and also when your septic system needs to be pumped. On average, homeowners should try to pump their septic system once every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of the tank and the amount of people in the home.
That date isn't set in stone, however; there are several signs that your home will give off to tell you that it's time to schedule a septic pumping service. Below are four of the most common; if you see any of them, contact a plumber immediately.
Backflow Into Your Home
The first and most obvious sign that your septic system needs to be pumped is if there is backflow coming out of your toilet and into your bathroom. This is a sign that the septic system is either overloaded or that there is a clog somewhere that needs to be taken care of. Either way, a backflow renders your plumbing system inoperable until it's cleaned out, so make sure you get it taken care of sooner rather than later.
Spontaneous Pool In Your Backyard
Having a pool is a great way to beat the summer heat, but if you haven't installed one and one has magically appeared in your yard, it could be a sign that your septic tank has overloaded (it can also be a sign of a water leak, which is also an issue). Water will collect in the low parts of your yard near the drain field since it has nowhere else to go.
Conversely, you may also notice that the vegetation in that area has also grown lush and thick to do the increased fertilizer. Either way, these are indications that you need septic pumping services immediately.
Pungent Odor Near the Drains
Your plumbing system is responsible for removing the waste from your home into your septic system, where it collects until it's removed. Unfortunately, if the septic system needs to be pumped, that waste has nowhere to go, waste begins to collect in the pipes, and the odors will push themselves towards the surface. Before that waste moves into your home though, you'll notice a strong odor near all the pipes. If typical drain cleaning methods don't work, contact the plumber to pump your septic system.
Toil Not Flushing Properly
As stated above, pipes that are clogged or a septic system that's overloaded will not have any more room to hold the waste that is currently trying to be flushed down the toilet. Because of this, you may notice that flushing is either sluggish or taking longer than expected. If you see that your pipes are not operating at peak efficiency — and it's not just one or two, but all of them — then it's best to have a plumber look at your septic system to see if there's a bigger issue at hand.
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