Septic systems are a fantastic way of dealing with raw sewage when a local
sewer system connection is either not accessible or simply impractical.
However, these systems will need periodic services in order to continue
to function properly. Most of the time this is a pumping service to empty
out the tank, but in other cases you may need to have your system repaired
due to a fault in it somewhere. How do you know when you have an issue?
How do you know when it’s time to pump the sewage from your tank?
The answer is simple: just look for the signs. Septic systems show a lot
of different signs when something needs to be addressed, and knowing what
to look for can help you make the call to a service team right away.
Here are five of these signs that you need to have your septic system serviced
as soon as possible.
Smells of Raw Sewage
Raw sewage has a foul, strong, and unmistakable stench that you can detect
almost anywhere. In fact, your neighbors can probably pick it up as well.
If you smell raw sewage somewhere on your property, then there’s
a good chance something is wrong with your system that needs to be addressed
right away. Raw sewage smells can indicate a lot of different things:
your tank is full and needs to be pumped, your drains are backing up due
to a clog somewhere in your line, there’s a problem with your leach
field, and plenty more. They could also indicate you have a leak somewhere
in the system, and that’s how the sewage smell is escaping. Under
normal operation, you shouldn’t smell sewage at any time. If you
do smell sewage for any extended period of time, call and request an inspection
of your system immediately, as there’s a good chance the problem
may only get worse if you continue to ignore it.
Visible Puddles on Your Property
Somewhat related to the smell of raw sewage, if you spot any standing puddles
somewhere on your property, more than likely in the grass above your sewage
system or out in your leach field, then you have a problem that needs
to be addressed right away. The problem could be as simple as a full tank
that needs to be pumped, but more often than not this is an indication
that you have a leak somewhere in your main sewage line. The leak could
also be in the tank itself, requiring that your tank is either repaired
or replaced entirely. But how can you tell if the water you’re seeing
is actually sewage as opposed to maybe just mud? If it smells like raw
sewage, odds are that’s exactly what it is.
Fast-Growing Grass
You don’t seem to have any puddles anywhere on your property, and
yet you can still detect a faint whiff of sewage. Additionally, there’s
this one spot on your lawn that now grows exponentially faster than the
rest of your grass, to the point where you almost have to mow that spot
independently of all of the rest. This is because that particular spot
on the lawn is receiving a little bit of extra fertilizer, thanks to a
leak in your septic system. Raw sewage can make grass grow incredibly
fast and thick, but it isn’t exactly the cleanest fertilizer out
there. Odds are the problem will only get worse over time as more and
more raw sewage leaks out into the soil, resulting in an even more labor-intensive
repair over time.
Slow or Backed-Up Drains
Slow drains are not always a sign that something is wrong with your septic
tank system. In fact, a slow drain in one of your bathrooms is probably
just an indication that that particular drain is clogged up. Here’s
how you can tell the difference: if one drain in your home or a couple
of drains in the same bathroom are clogged up while the rest of the drains
in your home continue to work just fine, then the problem is not with
your septic system. However, if
all of the drains in your home are backed up, draining slowly, or occasionally
push water and sewage back up through them, then your issue is with your
septic system itself. This could be a clog in your main sewer line, but
could also be an indication that your tank is full and needs to be pumped
out. In any case, you should call for help right away.
It’s “Time” to Empty Your Tank
Depending on the size of your tank, the size of your home, and the demands
you place on your septic system, you will likely have a time target in
mind for when you should have your septic system pumped. For some people
this is every two years, while for others it’s every three. Waiting
too long and not sticking to this number could lead to major problems
with your septic system, leading to just a few of the things we’ve
mentioned here.
Far too often people seem to think that their septic system is fine simply
because they can’t see any signs that there’s an issue. Trust
us: you don’t want to wait until you see signs of a problem to have
your septic system serviced. Know your time target, stick to it, and you’ll
continue to enjoy a home that runs smoothly and a septic system that’s
safe, durable, and problem-free for much longer.
Does your septic system need serviced? Dial (844) 294-8999 today to
reach out to the team at My Plumber Heating Cooling & Electrical and schedule yours!
