There is a considerable amount of routine care that goes into being a homeowner, and not all of it is glamorous. Your septic tank, for example, needs periodic pumping to prevent solid waste from building up and keep your plumbing system functioning properly. Because it is not a commonly discussed process, many people don’t know when maintenance is necessary.

How to Tell When You Need to Pump Your Septic Tank

1. Sulfurous Odors

When a septic tank is filled past its capacity, the gases within have nowhere to go but up. These unpleasant smells can emerge from your drains, shower, toilet, and drain field. If you smell a sulfurous, sewage-like odor both inside and outside your house, there’s a good chance your septic tank is due for pumping.

2. Sewage Backups

A sewage backup is the clearest sign of a full septic tank. If your home has multiple stories, you’ll see the effects in the plumbing fixtures on the bottom floors first.

Sewage contains a variety of dangerous contaminants and pathogens that can make your family sick, so it is critical that you get in touch with a plumber immediately in the event of a sewage backup.

3. Water in Your Lawn

The drain field, also referred to as a leach field, is an important part of any septic system. It is used to remove impurities from the tank and slow how quickly it fills.

Water pooling around your property when it hasn’t been raining, especially over your drain field and septic tank, is a signal that the tank is full. Overfilled tanks will release too much waste into the drain field, causing the hazardous material to float to the surface of your yard.

4. Slow Draining

Clogs are a common cause of slow draining, but if all of your plumbing fixtures are more sluggish than usual, the problem may be with your septic system.

A tank that needs pumping will no longer have the capacity to accept wastewater from your home, causing bathtubs, sinks, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers to drain more slowly. Septic pumping will resolve this issue promptly.

5. Your Last Pumping Was Years Ago

Even if there is no major sign, septic tanks are meant to be pumped regularly. Most residential tanks need pumping every three to five years.

To make sure you’re pumping on schedule, arrange a septic inspection every three years. Proactive septic maintenance will help your system last longer and help you avoid the costs and hassle of fixing the problems above.

If your septic tank requires pumping, reach out to the experts at Johnny's A-1 Sanitation, LLC. Based in Trenton, OH and serving homeowners and businesses throughout Butler, Montgomery, Warren, and Preble counties, this company provides a full range of septic system services. From inspections and cleaning to repairs and installations, their highly trained team will always find the best solutions for your system. Call (513) 988-5880 to request an estimate or schedule an inspection. For more information about septic services, visit their website.