A home septic system is an answer to eliminating waste from your home when a city sewer is not available. However, with a septic system, you need to keep an eye out for particular issues that can arise, such as a full tank that needs to be pumped. Here are some signs and indications you should watch for that will help you determine when it is time to pump out your septic tank again.
Bad Smells
One of the more unpleasant signs that your septic system is in need of a pumping service is any type of bad odor that you begin to notice regularly. Odors of sewage contain sulfur and other compounds that can seep into your home and actually lead to health problems if you don't take care of them. Sewage gas is a serious concern, so if you begin to smell it anywhere in your home, you should take immediate action and contact your septic professional.
Otherwise, be on the lookout for odors in your home when you flush the toilet, use the sink, or run your clothes washer. If you smell sewage odors inside your kitchen cabinet where the sewage line drains, this can be a sign of an overfilled septic tank.
Then, also sniff out any odors of sewage smells outside in your yard, especially around the drain field lines and where they eliminate wastewater. If you smell sewage around your yard or above where your tank access hatch is, this is not a good sign, and you should arrange to have your septic tank checked and likely pumped at the same time. When sewage waste builds up too thickly in the tank, it can cause all types of issues from clogged lines and broken level indicators to a stopped-up drain field pipe.
Repeated Clogs
Another big indicator your septic tank needs to be pumped is when you have slow draining and clogs that form in your sewage lines. This can include your sinks, bathtubs or showers, and toilets and can include full line clogs, slow draining waste, and gurgling sounds in the lines.
Watch out for a toilet clog that returns in a few days or next week. If you have to repeatedly clear clogs from your toilet with a plunger or a sewer snake, this is a sign of tank problems. If you have hired a plumber to clear the line of your home and they have to repeat the task in a few days or weeks, they should do a visual inspection of the line and tank and also pump the tank, so you should include your septic professional on any problems that emerge with your home sewer system. Then, follow up with regular septic tank pumping every few years, as recommended.
