Home Improvement

How To Tell When Your Septic Tank Needs To Be Pumped

Did you know that more than one in five households in the United States have a septic tank installed? Others will rely on community septic tanks or a larger wastewater system. With onsite septic tanks, a full septic tank can cause many serious problems.

If you’re curious to know if your septic tank needs pumping, we’re here to help. Here are a few common signs to know when you need to schedule professional plumbers for septic tank pumping.

Visible Backup

it may go without saying, but one of the most common ways to see that your septic tank is full is by having your septic tank back up. It’s highly likely that septic waste will come back up your drains. You will likely see this backup in many of your pipes instead of only where your sewage is.

For example, you may see waste bubble up in your bathtub pipes, or even your sinks. It’s a surefire sign that something is wrong with your sewage, though it likely means you need to have it pumped.

Strong Stenches

Waste is easily identified by the strong stench that comes along with it, and this can help you identify issues. If your home is filled with the smell of waste, you can safely assume there’s some sort of sewage issue.

Oftentimes, this smell can occur before there’s a visible backup. Shortly after the smell arrives, sewage likely isn’t far away. Either way, consider having septic services come through to help deal with the issue.

Slow, Clogged Drains

On top of backup, you might see that your drains are working much slower. Maybe you’ve filled your bathtub up and it won’t drain, or your sinks are draining incredibly slow.

It isn’t a guarantee that this means you have a full septic tank. It could mean that there’s something simply clogging the pipes. If the slow drainage continues, consider having professional plumbers come to investigate and resolve the issue.

Strange Sounds

Our final common sign is to hear strange sounds coming from your pipes. It’s especially common in your restroom, and you might hear it from your sinks or shower.

Gurgling in the pipes may mean an excess of fluid. If you’re struggling with this issue, consider having a plumbing service come out to check on what the cause is. They may help if you need to schedule a septic tank pumping, or they may find that your septic tank isn’t the issue at all.

Clearing Your Septic Tank

Your septic tank is a crucial part of your home and something that you’ll need to pay close attention to. If you think you have a full septic tank, contact professional plumbers to have them come and fix the problem. Don’t wait if your septic tank needs pumping, as a full septic tank can cause severe problems.

For more information on solving your plumbing issues, feel free to browse our extensive website to learn more.