If you live on a property with a septic tank, it’s important to service the system regularly. Failing to do so can lead to sewage bursts, a stinky lawn, and even health risks for the home’s residents.
It’s a good idea to look for signs that it’s time for septic services, like: Slow Drainage.
1. Sewage Smells
Sewage smells inside your home or around your yard can be an indicator that it’s time for septic tank pumping. If the odor is especially strong, it could be a sign that the septic system is overflowing with wastewater. This waste includes black wastewater (from toilets) and gray water (from dishwashers, showers, laundry machines, etc). This dirty mixture can be extremely malodorous, so if you notice it coming from anywhere in your house, it’s definitely time for maintenance.
Most septic systems have a u-shaped sewer trap in the drain line that creates a seal to prevent sewage odors from entering your home. If the trap is broken or needs to be cleaned out, this could also cause odors to enter your house.
If the odors are coming from outside your house, it could be a sign that your septic tank vent stack is clogged or can’t effectively diffuse sewage gases. Often, this is caused by leaves or other debris that gets jammed in the pipe and can’t escape.
The septic vent stack is a series of pipes that run vertically through the roof and send sewage gases to the outside where they can safely dissipate. If these vents get clogged or can’t release the gasses for some reason, this will lead to a vicious sewage smell throughout your home.
Septic odors can also be caused by a frozen septic system line. During extreme cold or ice storms, the liquid and solid waste trying to make its way into the tank can freeze. When this happens, the septic tank’s float system will not rise and it’ll be impossible to tell whether the septic tank is full or empty.
Besides being used in agriculture, septage is also a great fertilizer. If you’re worried about the sewage odors coming from your septic tank, call an expert right away. They’ll help you set up a schedule for regular maintenance and ensure your septic system is in top condition. Keeping it clean and free of odors is the best way to keep your family healthy. In addition, a well-maintained septic tank can last up to 25 years with proper care and maintenance.
2. Gurgling Noises
The sound of gurgling pipes is a sure sign that it’s time to call in a professional septic tank services company. If you hear these strange sounds coming from your home’s plumbing drains, it could mean that the septic system is overflowing or the septic tank needs to be pumped. If left unattended, these issues can lead to sewage backups throughout the house and may even pose health and environmental concerns.
Gurgling sounds are usually caused by blockages within the pipes that connect your home’s plumbing to the septic system. These clogs can be caused by the flushing of items that should not be put in the pipes, the use of more water-dependent appliances at one time than normal, and the presence of hair or other solids in the drain lines. Other problems that can cause gurgling include a plugged house sewer vent or a septic tank that is full of solid waste.
Normally, the septic tank should not make any noises when it is working properly. However, it can begin to make gurgling noises when the tank is close to being full. This is due to the fact that it becomes difficult for the septic system to digest solid waste when the tank is full. This can lead to a septic tank failure, which is a costly and messy problem.
The septic tank should be pumped every 3 to 5 years, depending on the number of people in the household and how much water is used. However, an older septic tank may not have enough capacity to handle the amount of waste that is being produced, which can result in the need for more frequent pumping.
Other causes of a septic system that is indicating it’s time for a pumping are a damaged sewer line and a leach field that is failing to absorb the wastewater from the home. These problems are a serious health and safety issue as untreated sewage can seep into the groundwater or contaminate nearby water bodies. The best way to keep your septic system in good condition is to follow the recommended maintenance schedule and to get a septic tank inspected and repaired when necessary.
3. Overflowing Water
While clogged drains in your home are certainly a sign that it’s time to call a plumber, they can also be a sign of a septic system problem. If you notice sewage bubbling up in your toilet or gurgling in your sinks or shower, it’s likely that you have an overflowing septic tank.
Septic tanks are designed to hold four or five days worth of household wastewater before the solid waste settles in the bottom of the tank and only the liquid flows into the drain field. A septic tank is a reservoir, and when it becomes full the alarm goes off to let you know that it’s time for a pumping service.
If your septic tank is overflowing, the first thing you should do is determine why it happened. There may have been a big surge in water usage due to more people using your home, an abnormal amount of washing or dishwashing, or a long series of showers. If this is the case, simply reduce your water usage for a day or two to help resolve the issue.
However, if the septic tank is full because you haven’t had your septic tank pumped in over a year or more, it’s definitely time to schedule a service. You should have your septic tank pumped at least once every two years. If your family is large, or your septic system is old, you may need to have it pumped more frequently.
The good news is that your septic tank should last for an extremely long time if you take the time to flush only biodegradable products and have it pumped on a regular basis. A well-maintained septic tank can serve your household for up to 20 years. To ensure that it does, call a trusted local septic company to perform regular maintenance and pumping services. They can save you a lot of money in the long run by avoiding costly septic tank problems. If you’re thinking about purchasing a property with a septic system, make sure that you ask about its maintenance history and have it inspected or pumped out regularly.
4. Septic Smells
When you flush the toilet or use a sink, bathtub, or shower, wastewater and organic waste go into the septic tank. Inside, the sewage separates based on weight and buoyancy: solids rest at the bottom (sludge), water settles in the middle, and fats and oils rise to the top (scum). Bacteria in the tank breaks down these materials. The treated wastewater then flows into the drain field.
When the septic tank is full, it stops these microbes from working properly. As a result, the smells of sewage can escape the drain lines into the house or yard. If this is happening, you should schedule a septic tank pumping as soon as possible.
Foul odors in the home, lingering around the drain field or outdoors, or even bubbling up in your toilets are all signs of a failing septic system that needs attention. These smells are a surefire indicator that the septic tank is full and needs to be pumped.
A septic system works best when it is regularly emptied of sludge, water, and sewage by a professional plumber. This is especially important for rural homes that aren’t connected to the city’s sewerage system.
The septic tank is a large underground container where household sewage is processed and stored. Although not common in urban areas, septic tanks are an excellent alternative for those who live in rural communities that cannot afford to connect their houses to the public sewerage system.
Septic systems work by storing waste in a buried tank where bacteria break down the waste and the wastewater is then pumped into the drainfield for treatment. The septic tank must be kept at the correct pH level, which is between 6.8 and 7.6. If it is too acidic, the bacteria will die and create a foul hydrogen sulfide gas odor that is similar to rotten eggs.
To avoid this, do not flush non-organic waste into the system. This includes cigarette butts, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and paints. Instead, add a cup of baking soda to your drains once per week to keep the tank at the correct pH. Also, be careful about using septic system additives that can disrupt the natural bacterial process and lead to a malfunction.