How to Tell if Your Septic Tank Needs to be Pumped Out

It isn’t always easy to see if your tank needs to be pumped out. If you can’t tell if your tank is full or might be blocked, read on to find out what you should look out for and what you can do.

We’ll go over the signs to look out for and then explain what you should do if you notice any of them on your property.

The signs to look out for

Pooling water

If you can see water pooling around your septic tank or leach field it’s an indication that you’re using too much water which is filling up your tank or that there’s an issue with your system.

Slow drainage

If you notice that your sinks, showers, bathtubs or toilets are draining slowly it could be due to a blockage in your drains, a full septic tank or a system that’s performing poorly.

Smells

If there are bad smells coming from your septic tank outside or from the drains inside your home it could mean that your septic tank isn’t digesting waste effectively, there’s a blockage in your drains or that your tank needs to be pumped out.

Extra green grass

If the grass around your septic tank, leach drain or absorption field is more green than the surrounding grass it’s an indication that your septic system isn’t digesting waste effectively and is discharging untreated effluent. This could be due to a full tank, excess water or low bacterial populations.

Toilets or drains backing up

If your drains or toilets inside are backing up it could be that your drains are blocked or that your tank needs to be pumped out.

What should you do if you see any of the warning signs?

Consult with a wastewater expert. You should never try to open up your tank, empty or inspect it yourself. Your septic tank is filled with toxic gases which are very dangerous. Our consultants can diagnose your situation over the phone and recommend a solution whether it be a pump out, treatment or activation.

We can advise you of the potential causes of your problem, how serious an issue it is and what your options are so that you can make an informed decision.

Each of the signs to look out for is an indication that there is an issue with your system, but not all require a pump out.

Our consultants will help you assess the severity and any combination of the warning signs to help you decide whether you need a pump out or if there’s a more cost-effective solution available.

How often should you pump out your septic tank?

This is entirely dependent on the size of your tank, the number of people in your household, how you use your tank and your treatment and maintenance routine. While wastewater systems haven’t changed much over the years, septic treatment technology has advanced greatly.

To learn more about how you can improve your wastewater system’s performance and reduce your pump out frequency read our article on how often you should pump out your septic tank.

What can you do if your septic tank is filling up too quickly?

If your septic tank is filling up too quickly or needs to be pumped out frequently the simplest and most cost-effective way to fix this is to start a treatment routine with a proven biological additive. A simple treatment routine will boost your system’s bacteria, improve waste breakdown and add years between pump outs and to your system’s overall lifespan.

If you’ve had your septic tank pumped recently and it’s showing any of the warning signs listed above it’s most likely that your last pump out removed the necessary bacteria from your tank. The solution to this issue is to restore and repopulate your system with the right bacteria and give them the boost they need to thrive and get your system back to peak performance.

Here’s what customers that follow a treatment routine using EcoCare Activator are saying.