If you have neglected to keep track of septic cleanings or you just have no idea when it was last pumped because you are a new owner, keep your eyes out for the tell tale signs of a septic emergency.
Outdoor signs
- Soft, soggy yard over tank
- Foul odor in close proximity to home
- Animals paying unusual amount attention to your yard
- Visible sludge
Indoor signs
- Slow drains
- Water backup
- Clogging toilets
If you have waited to the point of noticing the indoor signs, you need to make a phone call right away. If you can catch it from noticing the soft yard, you will likely be able to get through the next cleaning with a normal tank pumping. Much after that, you may be looking at some repairs and extreme cleaning to recover the yard and house from the septic backup.