As a homeowner, you want to keep your septic system in excellent running order. That means keeping the tank clear and efficient. But how do you know if your tank should be pumped? What are the signs that your Gainesville, VA, septic tank is full?
At SES, we often get calls from people who aren’t sure if it’s the tank or other part of the plumbing system that needs work. We’ve come up with 5 definite indicators that you need to get the tank emptied out. These are easy to spot. Keep an eye out for these conditions to tell you that it’s time to arrange for a septic tank pumping.
The first and most obvious is that you have a sewer backup. You can’t miss it. It usually starts in the basement around a drain or in a toilet or sink. Then you’ll notice the problem upstairs in the kitchen sink and in the bathrooms. It smells bad, it’s truly disgusting, and it is unhealthy for you and your family. When you get a backup in the house, you need to call SES without delay. We will come out and pump your tank so your plumbing system returns to usable condition.
Another indoor sign of a tank at capacity is slow-running drains and toilets. Even if you use clog-eliminating tools and products, the problem just won’t go away. That’s because the source of the trouble is an over-full tank. Until you get it pumped, you will be dealing with the real problem and solving it.
Outside you might notice bad odors in your drain field. This is caused by water overflowing the tank and into the surrounding soil. Once you get the tank cleaned out, your soil and the air around it will return it normal conditions.
Another drain field indicator is when the grass above looks much more lush and healthy than the rest of your lawn. It might not sound like a bad thing! But it indicates that wastewater is flowing out due to either a full tank or from a leak. This goes into the soil and fertilizes your lawn. When an SES technician cleans out your tank, he will also check for leaks.
A final indicator is the presence of puddles around your drain field, even when you haven’t had any rain. If this happens often, it could mean wastewater is flowing from a tank that is just too full. Get it pumped and the problem will be resolved.
SES is here to help. Since 1987, we have been the local septic tank experts for people in the community. We handle it all, including:
- Pumping
- Design
- Installation
- Repair
- Maintenance
Call SES today to find out what are the signs that your Gainesville, VA, septic tank is full and to arrange to get it pumped.