Express Septic Services recommends that you get your septic system inspected annually and the tank pumped every three years. This is the average amount of time that it takes for the tank to fill. This being said, the inspection will allow us to see whether your tank needs to be pumped sooner or if it can go longer. The bottom line is that you don’t want your septic tank to back up into your home. Here are the signs that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped.
Gurgling Toilets
All solid waste sinks down into the septic tank. Wastewater flows through to the drain field where it is treated and discarded. If your septic tank is full, the wastewater has nowhere to go and your toilets will begin to gurgle when you flush them. They may also gurgle on their own when you haven’t flush them. This is a sign that the septic tank is full and the wastewater is starting to back up into the toilets.
Pungent Odors
You may also notice pungent odors coming from your drains. If you smell sewage coming from your drains, outside in your yard, or coming from the toilets, your septic tank is full. If you smell the sewage outside, your septic tank could be overflowing underground, and this can be a huge environmental problem. Pay attention to how your drains smell and if you smell sewage, your septic tank needs to be pumped.
Slow Drains
Another sign that your septic tank is full is your drains will slow down. This is because the sewage has started to back up into the drains. Trying to unclog the drains will not resolve the problem. You will still have slow drains until such time as you have the septic tank pumped. If it’s been at least three years since your last septic tank pump and your drains are very slow, it’s a good chance that your septic tank is full.
Sewage Backup
Slow drains are the precursor to sewage backup. The worst sign that your septic tank needs to be pumped is your sewage backing up through the drains and into your home. This is not only hazardous to your health but also something nobody wants to have to clean up. It’s important to have your septic tank pumped before the sewage backs into your home.
We can help you here at Express Septic Services in Greenville, SC. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a septic system inspection if you haven’t had your system checked in at least a year.
