Having a septic tank system at home is an effective way to treat and dispose of your household wastewater. However, if you don’t empty your system as often as you should, you might experience a costly plumbing emergency in the near future. Here are five signs that your septic system needs emptying.
Standing Water Appears
When your septic tank needs to be emptied, the first thing you’ll typically notice is that pooling water will appear in the area near the tank. This happens because the solid waste will clog the piping system that leads to the drain field, which forces liquids to the surface. Although pools of standing water might appear after a flood or heavy rainfall, if it happens when the weather is calm, it could be a sign that your septic system is overflowing.
Your Plumbing Experiences Slow Drainage
Sometimes, household clogs could lead to slow drainage for your plumbing system. In that case, you should grab your plunger or seek help from a plumbing professional.
However, if drainage remains slow after you’ve tried unclogging all your drains, it could mean that the entire system is clogged. In this case, you would need to get your septic system pumped and drained.
Smelly Odors Are Present
Your septic system collects all your home’s wastewater and solid waste. Your septic system collects waste from many sources, from showers and laundry machines to toilets and dishwashers.
When all this waste combines in your tank, it creates harsh odors that you won’t want to smell. Unfortunately, you can still catch a whiff of these unpleasant scents if you haven’t emptied your septic system in a while. Smelling your waste could mean that the entire system is in jeopardy, which is when you should seriously consider seeking emergency septic services to repair any potential damage to your system.
Your Lawn Looks Different
The grass covering your septic system and drain fields shouldn’t look any different from the rest of your lawn. Nonetheless, when your system is leaking, it will cause the area of grass covering your system to appear much greener and lusher. Some people think this is a normal occurrence for your septic system, but it’s not, and it could be a sign that you need to empty your tank.
There Is a Sewage Backup
When a sewage backup occurs, it’s a telltale sign that you need to empty your septic system. Some things you will notice when a sewage backup occurs are bubbling drains, simultaneous clogs in multiple drains, and the smell of raw sewage being present.
Overall, septic systems are effective and safe plumbing tools when you maintain them. Now that you know the five signs that your septic system needs emptying, be sure to reach out to us the next time you need septic services in your area.