While a lot of people currently rely on public sewers for their plumbing systems, many also still use septic tank systems. Septic tanks come with their own unique advantages and disadvantages, but if you’re moving into a home with a septic tank after being used to the public sewer system, there are certain things you need to know about maintaining your septic tank. The last thing you would want is for your septic tank to overflow or to fail completely. Now, a part of basic maintenance is having it cleaned. Usually, a home septic tank will need to be cleaned every three to five years. However, sometimes it’s not enough to have your septic tank cleaned, and you’ll require a different level of intervention. This will require engaging with septic tank services. But you can’t give them a call if you don’t know when to do so. With that being said, when should you begin to look for someone to help you with a septic tank repair?
One of the first warning signs that you need a septic tank repair is slow draining. A lot of people attribute slow draining, whether it’s in the bathtub or the sink, to a clog. And sometimes, a simple clog is it is, and you can take care of it with a drain snake or some drain cleaning fluid. With septic systems, slow draining typically means more than it would with a public sewer system. A slow drain could actually be indicative of a backup within your septic tank, or perhaps an issue with its outflow pipe. The more drains are affected by the issue, the more it becomes likely that it’s a potential problem that would require a serious repair. Unfortunately, a lot of people just don’t take this problem seriously enough simply because it’s often not a serious problem for plumbing systems operating on the public sewer.
Now, not every bad smell that you might come across is necessarily connected to an issue with your septic system. However, certain bad smells could be indicative of the need for a septic tank repair. Though you may already associate septic tanks with bad smells, this isn’t really fair. Septic tanks are actually quite clean, and therefore normally wouldn’t emit any odors at all. You shouldn’t encounter any kind of sewage-related smells within your home or in your yard if your home’s sewage system is operating properly. Look out for sewage smells not only in your bathroom, but also in your kitchen or anywhere that has a drain. Chances are that your septic system is not working as it should, and a septic tank repair may be in your future.
You may never have the chance to notice a slow drain or bad smell before realizing that you need a septic tank repair. Keep in mind that any kind of backed-up sewage is not normal, and it needs to be addressed no matter what. If you notice any kind of sludge around your drains or in your bathtub, as well as backed up water in your sink, you should call a septic tank services company immediately. The issue that you need to keep in mind is that this kind of material is definitely unsanitary and potentially toxic, which means that you shouldn’t touch it. Yes, you’ll need to clean it up, but take your time and make sure that you’re doing so as safely as possible.
Another major indicator of an issue with your septic tank system is water on the drain field around you. A lot of people check on their drain fields to make sure that their septic system is working properly, and it’s not a bad practice. If there is water on your drain field, you have reason to be worried. A sewage smell on the drain field would be another indication that something is wrong.
Most septic tank repairs are effective if the problem is caught early enough. Therefore, you should be proactive and call for repairs as quickly as possible.