7 Signs You Need to Pump Your Septic Tank
Depending
on the number of users, septic tanks generally
need to be pumped every three to five years. The best person to
recommend a maintenance
and pumping schedule that’s right for you is your septic
service provider.
1.
Because
It’s Time — The first
“sign” isn’t a sign
at all, but a rule. We put it in the number one spot because
it’s the most
important thing to remember about your septic system and adhering to it
can
save you big on time, stress and money.
Depending
on the number of users, septic tanks generally
need to be pumped every three to five years. The best person to
recommend a
maintenance and pumping schedule that’s right for you is your
septic service
provider.
2.
Sluggish
Draining/Flushing — If you’ve noticed
slowly draining tubs, showers, washing machines or, worse, toilets that
just
aren’t as “energetic” as usual,
it’s probably a good indication you need your
tank pumped.
This
is one of the most innocuous signs, so you should
consider yourself lucky that you’ve been given a chance to
fix things before
something worse happens.
3.
Odor
— As your septic tank fills up, odor-causing
gasses have nowhere to go and can end up emanating from your toilets,
drains,
outdoor septic tank area or your drain field, causing a problem
that’s not only
gross, but unhealthy.
If
you suddenly notice sulphurous or sewage odors in or
around your house and property, it’s time to call a septic
service as soon as
possible.
4.
Surprisingly
Lush, Green Lawn Over Drain Field —
Normally, the grass over your drain field should look similar to the
grass in
the rest of your lawn, but if it’s suddenly making its
neighbors look shabby in
comparison, it could mean that it’s been getting a little
extra “fertilizer” in
the form of excessive waste liquid.
5.
Standing Water
— When a septic tank’s full, water
can start to pool in any number of places around your property; but the
most
tell-tale of those are around the tank itself and the drain field.
Pooling
water is a serious indication that, at the very least, you need your
septic
system pumped and inspected immediately.
6.
High
Nitrate Content in Well Water — This
sign
only applies to those relying on well water, but for those folks,
it’s an
important one. It’s recommended that well water be tested at
least once a year
and, if higher than normal nitrate levels are detected, it can be an
indication
that waste water is overflowing your septic system and leaching into
your drinking
water. Yuck.
7.
Sewage Backup
— Out of all the signs, this is no
doubt the one you would least like to experience; but if you
aren’t on a
regular pumping/maintenance schedule and you choose to ignore all the
previous
signs, having raw sewage back up into your house is a very real
possibility.
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