Septic 101: A Guide For Homeowners

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Tips For Recognizing That It Is Time To Have Your Septic Tank Pumped

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A septic system manages household waste in much the same way as a municipal sewer system. However, one big difference between the two types of waste management systems is the fact that a septic system has a tank to hold waste, and the tank must be pumped and emptied by a qualified residential septic service before the waste levels exceed the capacity of the tank. If you own a home with a septic system, it is very important to know when to have the septic tank pumped. If your septic tank is not emptied before it fills completely, raw sewage can back up into your home through the toilets and drains and flood your yard. Some of the most common signs that you need to have your septic tank pumped as soon as possible include the following.

Nasty Odors

Septic tanks are designed to hold raw waste underground and away from your home. When waste levels are at the proper levels, you will not notice any bad smells in your home. But, when the tank is reaching capacity and waste levels become very high, the odor of raw sewage can begin to waft through your pipes and eventually flow out through the drains in your home. If you detect any smell of raw sewage in your home, no matter how mild, it is important to be proactive. Any time you detect the nasty odor of raw sewage, it is important to contact a residential septic service to check your septic tank to see if it needs to be pumped.

Toilet Troubles

It is not uncommon for a toilet to experience issues every once in a while. In most cases, using a plunger resolves any problems that a toilet may have. However, when your septic tank is nearing capacity and needs to be pumped as soon as possible, all of the toilets in your home may have problems at the same time. Common issues include weak flushing or failure to flush at all. This is because the waste has nowhere to go due to the waste level in the septic tank being so high.

Extra Green Grass Around the Septic Tank

As a homeowner who has a septic system, it is in your best interest to know where your septic tank is located on your property and inspect the area regularly. If you notice that the grass in the vicinity of your septic tank is greener and thicker than the rest of your lawn, it may mean that your septic tank is full and is seeping waste into the surrounding area. Raw sewage fertilizes grass, which can make it thicker and greener. In this type of situation, you should make arrangements to have your septic tank pumped as soon as possible.

For more information, contact a residential septic service today.


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