Having a reliable on-site waste management system doesn’t stop at septic installation—keeping it running smoothly is a continuous process that involves routine maintenance and frequent inspection. One of the things you have to check regularly is the sewage level in your septic tank. Here’s a closer look at what that means.  

What Septic Tank Levels Tell

One of the components of a septic installation is the tank, which serves to hold both liquid and solid waste. Once inside the tank, waste separates into three layers: solids settle at the bottom to become sludge, liquid effluent flows into the drain field for disposal, and grease floats to the top, forming a layer of scum.

A septic tank gets filled up with sewage in an actively used system, so its usual level is always nearly full or just below the outlet pipe’s bottom. When sewage in the tank reaches the outlet pipe, or rises above it, the level of sewage in the tank is at overcapacity. The tank won’t be able to handle more waste. Raw sewage will back up—in toilets, drains, and sinks. Other signs of high sewage levels are sulfuric odors, slow or clogged drains, gurgling toilets, standing water near the septic system, and unusually lush patches in the yard where leaking sewage collects.  

While high levels spell disaster, a low level is just as bad. If sewage is a couple of inches below the outlet pipe’s bottom for a system that’s frequently used, the level is unusually low. A leak caused by cracks, rust holes, or dislodged plugs is likely. A low level can also be traced to a blocked or damaged sewage line. Leaks can flood the drain field and nearby ground as well.   

Why Check Tank Levels

Frequent inspection minimizes the risk of a premature septic tank failure. Checking sewage levels and having the tank pumped at least every three years help to address issues early on before they worsen. Cleanups and repairs can be costly if left for too long. Moreover, sewage leaks are health hazards because they can contaminate the surrounding soil and groundwater.

For reliable septic installation and maintenance services that keep your sewage system in good working order, count on the professionals at Jeff Simek Construction Company. As the trusted excavating contractor in and around Price County, WI, they specialize in site development, land clearing, grading, and trenching. Call (715) 767-5295 for estimates on septic installation, or learn more about the business by visiting them online.