Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Attention – A Homeowner’s Checklist Pamela Hensley, June 17, 2024June 17, 2024 Owning a home comes with a long list of tasks that must be addressed regularly. There are obvious chores like mowing the lawn and changing batteries in smoke detectors, but there are other, more unexpected maintenance items that often get overlooked. One of these is the septic tank, which requires regular pumping to function properly. If you are noticing signs that your septic tank needs attention, call Septic Tank Armadale experts or follow these tips: Slow Drains If your sinks, toilets, or tubs are draining more slowly than usual, it could be a sign that your septic tank is getting full. When a septic tank is full, wastewater can’t drain into the septic system because it has nowhere to go. This can lead to sewage backups in your home. If you notice a septic tank problem, you should call for a professional immediately. Leaving it untreated can cause serious health and safety problems in your home, as well as costly damage to the surrounding soil and plants. A common sign of a septic tank problem is the presence of foul odors. This may occur in the house, in the yard, or both. The bad odors are a result of a lack of waste breakdown, which can produce hydrogen sulfide gas in your home. This smell can be hard to notice, but it’s important to keep an eye out for it. Another common sign of a septic tank issue is water pooling in the yard. This can be caused by a full tank, or it can be a sign of a clogged inlet pipe. If you see water pools in your yard, it’s important to contact a septic service right away. When you hear gurgling water, it’s a warning that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped. This sound is similar to that of a bubbling coffee pot, and it usually occurs near the point where your home’s plumbing pipes connect to the septic pipes. It’s also important to listen for this sound when you’re brushing your teeth or taking a shower to prevent sewage from backing up into these areas. Foul Odors Odors that resemble rotten eggs are an unpleasant but telltale sign that your septic tank is full. The smell indicates that healthy bacteria are no longer present to decompose organic waste in your tank, which can cause a buildup of sludge. If this happens, sludge can back up into your home’s plumbing fixtures, which will create a disgusting mess as well as expose you and your family to potentially dangerous bacteria. A full septic system can also lead to clogged and overflowing toilets. To prevent these issues, make sure that you only flush toilet paper, human waste, and safe organic matter down the drains in your home. In addition, keep water usage low by limiting showers and washing machine use to one per day or spreading laundry loads throughout the week. If you notice foul odors near your septic tank or in your yard, it may be time for a septic system inspection and repair. These odors are caused by airborne sewer gases, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and methane. These gases can be extremely unhealthy and lead to respiratory illnesses, as well as other health concerns. Another indicator that your septic system needs attention is high nitrate levels in your well water. These can indicate that your septic system is overflowing, allowing bacteria and nitrates to leach into the groundwater. It’s a good idea to test your well water for nitrate levels every six months and to have septic system problems addressed promptly and professionally. This will help to protect your family’s health and the environment. Contact a local septic service to schedule a maintenance appointment. They can determine how often your septic tank should be pumped, as well as other signs that your septic system needs attention. Pooling Water If you notice puddles or pools of water around your home, especially in the yard surrounding the drain field, it is a sign that your septic tank is overflowing. This wastewater, known as effluent, contains bacteria and other contaminants that can contaminate the soil and surrounding water sources. Pooling water in the yard can also be a health risk for children and pets who may come into contact with it. Foul outside odors are another clear indication that your septic tank needs attention. These odors have been compared to sewage and rotten eggs and indicate that microorganisms in the septic tank are no longer working properly. If the smell persists, call a septic tank service provider to check your system and schedule septic tank pumping if needed. Septic tanks are a wonderful option for homeowners who live outside municipal sewer areas and want a durable, economical wastewater solution. However, the septic tank must be pumped regularly to prevent serious problems and ensure proper function. Regular maintenance, including septic tank pumping, is the best way to keep your septic system healthy and functioning properly. Watch for these three signs that your septic tank is nearing full capacity and ready for professional pumping. If multiple drains and toilets seem clogged, it is important to rule out other causes of the problem before determining your septic tank is overflowing. A clogged drain or toilet is usually caused by a blockage and can be resolved with a homemade remedy of equal parts white vinegar and baking soda. If several drains and toilets are clogged, it is likely your septic tank is overflowing and needs professional pumping. Sewage Backup If the septic tank is overfull, wastewater can back up into your home’s drain lines. This is a major issue that can lead to serious water damage, mold growth, and other problems. If you notice sewage backing up into your toilets, sinks, tubs, or showers, it’s time to call for professional help. Another sign that your septic tank needs attention is the smell of sewage in your home. The foul odor comes from hydrogen sulfide that’s produced when the waste isn’t able to travel through the pipes to the sewer system. When this odor enters the home, it can make people sick and may even cause nausea or vomiting. Sewage backup is a clear indication that your septic tank is full and needs to be emptied. If you notice that sewage is backing up into your home, turn off the water supply and call a plumber right away. Other signs that your septic tank needs attention are wetness around floor drains in the basement, garage, or laundry room. If sewage is backing up into these areas, the problem likely stems from a blocked or damaged drain line or sewer pipe. Regular septic tank inspections and maintenance can reduce the likelihood of a clog or backup that threatens your home’s plumbing and well-being. As a general rule, septic tanks should be pumped every 3 to 5 years. If you’re not sure when the last time your septic tank was pumped, talk to your plumber or septic service provider about scheduling an appointment. To further minimize the risk of a septic tank disaster, it’s important to follow these tips for avoiding septic tank problems: Gurgling Many homes in rural areas are not connected to municipal sewer systems, so they use septic tanks to trap and treat household waste. These vital systems must be kept in good condition to function properly. While septic tanks rarely fail, they can begin to malfunction over time. This can lead to sewage backup, which causes messy and dangerous problems for your home and yard. Sewage backup is often the result of an overly full septic tank, but can also be caused by blockages or other problems within your system. If you notice water pooling in your yard even when it hasn’t rained, this is a clear sign that your septic tank needs to be pumped out. Pooling water around your septic tank is dangerous to kids and pets, and can cause serious health issues if it gets into your drinking water supply. It can also pollute the soil and waterways around your home, causing environmental damage and unpleasant odors. Gurgling sounds in your toilets or drains are another early warning sign that your septic system may need a pump-out. Gurgling noises are caused by air bubbles in the septic system. These bubbles are normally released through the vent but can be blocked if your septic tank is overflowing. Another clear sign that your septic tank is overdue for a pump-out is black sludge coming from your sinks, toilets, and floor drains. This sludge is a mix of feces and waste, and it has an awful odor that no one can stand. Seeing this mess is the most obvious, and most unpleasant, of all signs that your septic tank is full. Septic Services septic repairsseptic servicesseptic tank cleaningseptic tank installationseptic tank pumping