One of the most important parts of having a septic tank at your home is making sure it is drained on a regular schedule. Waiting too long to schedule this septic service can cause unsafe leaks and various plumbing problems. While many professionals recommend pumping once every one to three years, that’s a wide margin, and the schedule is influenced by how often the tank is used. However, there are signs that your system is overdue for pumping.

5 Signs It’s Time for Septic Service

1. Foul Odors

One of the most obvious indicators that the septic tank needs to be pumped is the smell of uncommon odors. As all of the water and waste from the home fills the tank, it can become too full and start leaking untreated waste water into the drain field and will need to be pumped to start operating normally again.

2. Inefficient Draining

As the tank becomes full, the waste in your home cannot drain as quickly as it should. If the water in your sinks and bathtubs is taking longer to drain than normal, use a plunger or snake to ensure it’s not just a drain clog that is causing the problem. If the issue persists, the tank is likely full.

3. Backed Up Waste

A more alarming sign that you need to pump the tank is when the wastewater backs up into your home’s pipes. This plumbing problem occurs because the tank is too full to accept any more waste, leaving it with nowhere to go but back into the home. This typically happens with the lowest drains in the home first, so monitor any pipes in the basement and call a licensed plumber as soon as you notice waste coming back into the house.

4. Pooling Water

When the system is working as it should, all the treated water leaking out of the tank should evaporate from the drain field, so when you notice pooling water occurring, it’s likely time to have it pumped. While this can take place in many areas on the property, pay particular attention to the drain field and the area above the tank.

5. Lush Vegetation

While everyone wants healthy landscaping, especially lush vegetation can be a sign that the septic tank is full. The excessive waste liquid acts as a fertilizer for the plants, so if one patch appears to be much healthier than the surrounding vegetation, a plumber will need to come out to pump the tank.

 

By monitoring your property for these signs of a full tank, you can know when it’s time to schedule your septic services. When that time comes, trust the professional licensed plumbers at American Sewer & Septic Service in Albany, OR. Their highly skilled and experienced team of plumbers can spot the signs that the tank is overly full and provide fast and efficient pumping services to empty it and keep your home protected. Schedule an estimate by calling (541) 926-1185 or learn more online.