A septic system is an efficient way of treating your home’s wastewater — as long as it is properly maintained. Septic service is required periodically to pump the tank and ensure all the parts are in good working order. If you’ve recently moved into a home that relies on one of these systems, here are a few ways to tell if maintenance is required.   

How to Tell When You Need a Septic Tank Pumping

1. Slow-Emptying Drains & Backups

When the septic tank is predominantly full, waste could begin to back up into the pipes when new wastewater is emptied into the system. If this occurs, you might start to notice that water takes a while to empty out of your drains. You could also experience wastewater traveling back up the pipes after flushing or taking a shower. 

2. Pooling Water

Once the tank starts to overflow, wastewater will empty into the drain field faster than it can be treated. This will result in patches of lawn that are much wetter and greener than the surrounding grass. Eventually, pools will begin to form, and sewage could overflow onto the rest of the property, creating a safety hazard. 

3. Rotten-Egg Odor

If the tank is allowed to exceed capacity, which would be when the sludge and scum layers are greater than or equal to 1/3 of the tank volume, before the next septic service, foul smells could start to emanate inside your home and across your lawn. This is often the result of sewage backing up into the pipes and possibly even overflowing into the drain field, where the pre-treated effluent empties for further treatment before emptying into the surrounding water table. 

Ideally, you should call a septic service every three years to empty your tank, possibly more often if you have a large family. However, if you are new to the property, schedule annual inspections until you can figure out how quickly your system fills with solids. For expert septic tank cleaning, installation, and repairs services, contact Garrison Septic Service Inc. This family-owned business has served the Wisconsin Rapids and Central Wisconsin area since 1939. Call them today at (715) 325-7282 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.