How Do You Know It’s Time to Pump Your Septic Tank? Clear Signs to Watch For
The average household septic tank can hold approximately 5,000 gallons of waste, while commercial tanks have a larger capacity that may exceed 4,500 gallons. One important aspect of caring for your residential or commercial septic system is getting it pumped regularly. Ideally, septic tanks should be pumped out every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of the tank and household size. However, there are signs that indicate your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped out. It’s important to look out for those signs and call a local septic company for help.
Here at Septic Blue of Charlotte, we take great pride in offering professional septic pumping and cleaning services in the areas we serve. In today’s blog post, we’ll go over the common signs it’s time to pump your septic tank.
- Slow Drains Throughout the House
If just one sink or shower drains slowly, you may have a clog in the specific drain line. But when every drain in the home starts emptying sluggishly, it indicates that the septic tank is reaching maximum capacity.
- Gurgling Sounds in Plumbing Fixtures
Hearing gurgling, bubbling, or strange suction noises from toilets, sinks, or drains is an early warning sign. These sounds happen when trapped air escapes through wastewater that can’t move freely because the tank is too full. Gurgling is often a precursor to sewage backup, so don’t ignore it.
- Sewage Odors Inside or Outside the Home
A properly functioning septic tank should be odor-free. If you notice rotten egg smells, sulfur odors, or sewage-like scents inside your home, near drains, or around the drainfield, your tank is likely overdue for pumping. Odors indicate that gases or waste are no longer contained as they should be.
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