When we talk about septic tank pumping, some of you might not be familiar with what a septic tank is. It’s an underground system installed to collect and treat wastewater. In other words, it ensures the clean and safe disposal of waste. On the other hand, if you are located in an area with a poor drainage system, you are more likely to know about it already.

The average household septic tank requires inspection every three to five years to make sure it functions at the best of its capability. Some of the major factors influencing the frequency of septic pumping include the size of the septic tank, household size, volume of wastewater, and the amount of wastewater produced. Also, it depends on the liters the system will hold as well as the number of people at your house. Periodic septic tank pumping and maintenance will help you with the following concerns:

• Removes any undesirable odor
• Stops drain or sewer obstructions
• Prevents the release of raw sewerage
• Prevents slow draining or clogging

How Do Septic Tanks Work?

At this point, you might be thinking about how a septic tank operates. Well, it’s a large underground tank holding gallons of wastewater. They are commonly available in standard sizes including 1,000 gallons, 1,200 gallons, etc. The tank is secured to your house through the mainline of the water system. Wastewater coming from the toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and other areas will move directly to the tank through this line. As soon as the wastewater moves in the tank, it is separated into three layers – solid waste remains at the bottommost, the water stays in the middle and other fats and oil make the topmost layer. As soon as the wastewater goes in the pipe, it streams into the drain field and is cleaned through the soil preventing any sort of contamination.

Over time, the septic tank can overflow or get choked and subsequently requires a tank pumping. Here are a few signs that need immediate attention.

Undesirable Odor

A blocked septic tank will sooner or later cause foul odors that can be spread throughout the home or even outside. If you are noticing a sewage smell, it is probably because the sewage is not drained yet. This is one of the major indications of septic issues. However, make sure to get it inspected before coming to a decision that your septic tank needs pumping. Contrary to drain smells, the foul smell in your lawn can be associated with an overfilled tank. The major cause of this issue is excessive waste disposal. Consider these visible changes.

Sewage Backup in Drains

The most prominent indication of a jammed septic tank is sewage backing up in the drains of your home. You will probably come across this concern in the sinks and bathrooms that are located closest to the tank. Keep in mind sewage backup is a serious problem and should not be overlooked. These tanks carry an extensive diversity of bacteria that can be dangerous and very harmful to your health. We recommend you consult a professional service instead of cleaning the backed-up water on your own.

Luscious Patch of Lawn

It is surprising to see that your lawn grass suddenly becomes greener and healthier. This is another noticeable sign that the tank requires cleaning and pumping. As the waste comes up through the drain field due to overflow, the plant life will likely benefit from it. If you find out a specific patch of grass greener and brighter in comparison to the rest of the lawn, you must check it out. Make sure the grass above the septic tank looks similar to the rest of the grass around. Any sudden change is a key indication that the system needs emptying services.

Unusual Noise

If you hear any unusual or odd noises you are not familiar with, this can be the result of any problem caused by the overflowing septic tank. If the pipes are burbling, it’s the right time to consult a septic tank professional and investigate the system. While this is certainly a tame indication, it’s important to check out so the situation does not get worse.

Pooling Water

One of the important considerations is to look out for any pools of water around the septic tank. This a major indication of the overfull septic tank. Also, if it has not rained lately and you are still seeing a lot of water around, it can be because of the system problem. The situation commonly happens when the tank reaches its full capacity or if there is some solid obstruction.

Slowly Clogged Drains

Remember the septic tank is secured to the whole network of drains all through your home including the sinks, toilets, showers, and more – slowly clogged drains are another sign of a problem. At times, a partially or completely blocked septic system can cause slow drains and let the water pool. This can be quite annoying and disturb routine functioning.

As soon as you contact a septic system provider, they will carry out a detailed evaluation and investigate any undesirable leaks. They will look into the sludge and scum layers produced inside the system. It is important to maintain a record of the work performed on your septic tank. You will find a T-shaped outlet in the system that operates to prevent any scum and sludge from escaping the tank. If the bottommost of the scum level is within 6-inches of the outlet foot or if the upper of the sludge coating lies within 12-inches of the opening, it’s a sign that your tank needs to be pumped.

Wrapping Up

Every homeowner having a septic system is well familiar with the importance of septic tank pumping and its maintenance. Tanks are required to be pumped by a professional service provider as per the designated routine schedule. On the other hand, if you have just moved into a new house with a septic tank, make sure to ask the previous owner about its maintenance schedule. At the least, you must ask them when the septic tank was last emptied so you can have a better idea of what to do next. If you have this information, you are more likely to be on the safer side. On the other hand, if you are unable to get these details, get the tank emptied or pumped straight away.

This will give you peace of mind and you can start a schedule from the scratch. If you follow a proper maintenance schedule, it will help you in the long run. It ensures smooth functioning of the tank and prevents any underlying concerns. If you notice any of the indications discussed above, it’s time to consult a septic tank pumping Loganville GA service provider. Do not overlook these problems or otherwise, you will end up with a failed septic tank system and sewerage problems around the house. It will be a mess everywhere. Make sure to prevent these worse scenarios. For any queries regarding septic tank services, feel free to write to us in the comment section below.