Your septic tank offers an affordable and efficient way to handle wastewater when you don't have access to a municipal sewer. However, despite its advantages, it needs regular cleaning and pumping to work properly. Here, Dependable Plumbing, a respected plumber and septic tank repair service in Ellijay, GA, reveals some of the key signs it's time to have your septic tank emptied.

3 Signs It's Time to Have Your Septic Tank Emptied

1. Slow Drains or Toilets

When they're operating properly, your sinks, bathtub, and toilets should all drain or flush quickly. However, as the septic tank fills, the incoming wastewater has less space and may take longer to leave the household plumbing system. If only one drain is slow, there's likely just a clog in that pipe, but if all your drains seem sluggish, you should contact a plumber or septic service to pump the tank.

2. Swampy Areas

If your tank is full, water may start pooling on your property, creating a swampy area—often over the drain field or the septic tank itself. When this happens, it either means your tank is overflowing and wastewater is seeping to the surface, or the system has failed in some manner. In either case, you should have it emptied and inspected by an experienced plumber.

3. Unpleasant Odors

Under normal circumstances, the area around your septic tank should produce very little smell. If you detect a noxious sewage scent, it could indicate a full tank or other problem with the system. An occasional whiff of something is no cause for alarm, but if the smell remains, consider calling in a professional.

If you notice any of the signs above, it may be time to have your septic tank cleaned. Contact Dependable Plumbing, the premier septic tank cleaning and repair service in Ellijay, GA. For more than 25 years, they've offered fast service and fair pricing with no overtime fees to customers throughout the region. Visit their website to submit a contact request form or call (706) 698-5000 to schedule service with an experienced plumber.