How often does a septic tank need to be pumped?
Most household septic tanks should be pumped every 3 to 5 years. Bigger households, smaller tanks, a garbage disposal or heavy water…
5 warning signs your septic system needs attention now
Quick answer
Call for septic service if you have slow drains throughout the house, gurgling pipes, sewage smells inside or out, soggy or extra-green patches over the tank or drain field, or sewage backing up into the lowest drains. These usually mean the tank is full or the drain field is struggling.
A septic system works quietly in the background, right up until it doesn't. Most problems give you some warning first. Catch them early and you're usually looking at a pumping or a small repair. Wait, and you could be replacing a drain field.
1. Slow drains all over the house
One slow sink is usually a local clog. When showers, tubs, sinks and toilets are all slow at the same time, the problem is further down the line: a full tank, a blocked outlet baffle or a drain field that can't keep up.
2. Gurgling pipes and toilets
Gurgling happens when air is pushed back through the plumbing because water can't flow out freely. If your toilet bubbles when the washing machine drains, or the tub gurgles after a flush, the system is backing up.
3. Sewage smells inside or outside
A working septic system shouldn't smell. Odors near the tank, over the drain field or coming up through floor drains mean gases are escaping where they shouldn't, often because the tank is full or a lid or vent is damaged.
4. Soggy ground or extra-green grass over the drain field
Standing water, spongy soil or a strip of grass that's greener and faster-growing than the rest of the yard can mean wastewater is surfacing instead of soaking in. That's a sign the drain field is overloaded or failing, and it's also a health hazard for kids and pets.
5. Sewage backing up into the house
When wastewater comes up into the lowest drains, usually a basement floor drain or a first-floor shower, the system has run out of room. Stop using water right away and call for service.
What causes septic problems?
- Going too long between pumpings, so solids flow into the drain field
- Flushing wipes, grease, paper towels or feminine products
- Harsh chemicals that kill the tank's helpful bacteria
- Too much water at once, like several loads of laundry in a row
- Driving or parking over the tank or drain field
- Tree roots growing into pipes and lines
Repair, pump or replace?
Many problems are solved by pumping the tank and fixing a baffle, pipe or pump. If the drain field has failed, the soil can no longer absorb water and the field needs to be repaired or replaced. A septic inspection tells you which situation you're in before you spend money on the wrong fix.
Frequently asked questions
What does a full septic tank look like? +
Slow drains, gurgling, odors near the tank, and water pooling over the tank or drain field are the most common signs.
Can I use chemical drain cleaners with a septic system? +
Avoid them. Harsh chemicals kill the bacteria that break down waste in the tank.
When does a septic system need replacing? +
When the drain field has failed and can't absorb water anymore, or the tank is cracked or collapsing. An inspection tells you which.
