The inability to see inside their septic tank leaves a lot of homeowners at a loss when trying to determine when it is time to have their tank pumped. This can pose a rather serious problem since a failure to have the tank pumped before it overflows can result in significant damage to both your yard and your home. Thankfully, there are some warning signs that can help alert you to the need for septic tank pumping services. You can learn more about three of these signs below.
Warning Sign #1: You Can Smell The Contents Of Your Septic Tank
Typically, cannot smell the contents of your septic tank even if you are standing right above it. However, as your tank gets closer to full capacity, you may begin smelling a foul odor coming from the area above your tank, around your drain field, or from the drains in your home. This odor is often one of the last things you will notice before your tank reaches the point of overflowing. Consequently, you will not want to ignore this warning sign for even a short period of time. Instead, you will need to immediately schedule septic pumping services so that you can get your tank emptied before it can overflow.
Warning Sign #2: Your Household Drains Are Running Slower
If your septic tank is struggling to make room to accommodate incoming waste, you may find that the drains in your home begin running slower. It is important to note that many different things can cause a drain to run slowly. However, most drain problems will only impact a single drain. Drainage issues resulting from a full septic tank will often be system-wide. Consequently, if all of the drains in your home are running slowly, this is a good indication that your septic tank needs to be pumped.
Warning Sign #3: Your Drain Field Is Moist
As your septic tank gets closer to being full, a larger amount of wastewater will be emptied into your drain field to help make room for incoming waste. This will often result in high groundwater levels. This can cause the soil in your drain field to feel moist to the touch when you walk through it. You may also find that water begins puddling on the top of the soil when it rains or if you have an automatic watering system. This is because the higher your groundwater levels are, the less moisture the soil will be able to absorb.
For more information on septic pumping services, contact a professional near you.