The Signs To Watch Out For That Identify A Full Septic Tank

One of the challenges of owning a septic tank is knowing when to have it cleaned out. The tank is buried underground, so you can't exactly look inside to see how full it is. Thankfully, there are ways to tell if it is time to schedule septic tank pumping.

Odors

You may first notice a problem in the form of a bad odor. That full septic tank is going to force odors out of the tank in various ways, and it can seep out through the drainfield outside your home, indoor drains, and toilets. Even though you have a p-trap that is designed to prevent sewer gases from getting through, the strong odors from inside a septic tank can still get out and cause a bad odor that is noticeable. 

Slow Drains

Have you noticed that your drains are moving a lot slower than normal? Your shower may have water collecting at the bottom of the tub when you shower when it normally flows into the drain. The toilet may be flushing slower than it normally does. Your sink may be filling up with water when brushing your teeth. These are all signs that the water has nowhere to go due to the septic tank being full. You'll need to have the tank pumped to make room for all of that wastewater. 

Lush Lawn

If you have grass growing above the drainfield, you may notice that the grass is looking more lush than usual. It could be more green in color or growing faster than the grass in the surrounding area. This is due to waste coming out of the tank faster than normal because it has nowhere to go and essentially fertilizing your lawn. 

Drainfield Flooding

The wastewater may be forced out of the tank quickly, causing your drainfield to become flooded. If you walk across the drainfield and notice that the ground is soggy, know that this is wastewater seeping through because it is being forced out of the tank. 

Pumping Schedule

Take a look at a septic tank pumping schedule to look at when it is estimated that you'll need the tank cleaned out. There are estimates based on how many people live in your home and the size of your septic tank. If you've exceeded the recommended time to have your tank pumped, this is a good indication that it is time to have this important job done. 

To learn more about septic system pumping, contact a company in your area like Economy Septic Tank Service.