Septic systems are reliable and efficient when you keep them in good shape. At its core is the tank. You need to be sure to keep it properly cleaned out if you want your plumbing to work well. But what are the signs that your Fairfax, VA, septic tank is full?
That’s a questions we get asked a lot here at SES. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of 5 simple indicators that let you know it is time to get the tank pumped. Three deal with your drain field, and two you’ll notice indoors.
Do you see puddles above your tank even when the weather is dry? This means wastewater is getting pushed out of your septic tank because sludge is taking up all the room. You need to get the tank pumped out. The puddles will then disappear.
Another sign outside is an unpleasant smell in the drain field. Black water, which comes from toilets, and gray water, which comes from sinks, tubs, dishwashers and clothes washers, can combine to make a real stink. If your tank is over capacity, the water ends up in your soil. The smell permeates the air around the tank. Get it cleaned out and the odor will disappear.
The third problem you’ll see in your drain field might not seem like a bad thing. Is the lawn above your tank much more lush and fast-growing compared to the rest of your grass? It means that wastewater that is coming out of your tank is fertilizing that part of your lawn. It is one of the signs that your Fairfax, VA, septic tank is full. Pump the tank and the wastewater will stay where it belongs.
Indoors, do you constantly have troubles with slow-running drains and toilets? If you buy a range of products and devices to clean out clogs, but nothing works, the problem is a tank that is full, not a clog. Once it is pumped, your drains will start to run properly.
The last indicator is the big one—a sewer backup. This one is impossible to miss. It is disgusting, messy, smelly and unsanitary. It makes your home unfit to live in. It starts in the basement around floor drains or a sink or toilet. Then you’ll see it upstairs in the bathroom and kitchen. You need to call SES immediately to arrange to have the tank cleaned out. That’s the only way you can return your home to a healthy, safe condition for you and your family.
Since 1987, the staff here at SES has been helping property owners with all their septic system needs:
- Pumping
- Design
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Repair
Call SES today to find out the signs that your Fairfax, VA, septic tank is full and to schedule a pump out.