When Do Septic Tanks Need To Be Pumped?

A septic tank can come in either a three or two chamber structure, its main job is to retain sewage from a property for sufficient time to allow solids to form into sludge at the base of the tank, where it is partially broken down by bacteria. Leaving the rest of the liquid in the tank to drain.

A standard household septic system should have an inspection every year by a septic service professional. There are also factors that can influence how soon an inspection is needed such as:

• Household size
• Total wastewater generated
• Volume of solids in wastewater
• Septic tank size

However, typically you find that messier jobs involving pipes, drains and tanks are left to progress - especially involving septic tanks. To solve the issue effectively, you will need a good understanding of when a septic tank needs to be pumped, changed, or fixed. That’s why we’ve put together this article helping you to identify when septic tanks need to be pumped, so you can take action sooner rather than later.

Signs Your Septic Tank Needs To Be Pumped

There are a range of signs that your septic tank may give you to indicate that it needs to be pumped. Normally, you should get your septic tank pumped every year as well as inspected by a professional once every three years. This makes sure that everything is running effectively and reduces the chances of damage in the long-term. However, if you notice something out of the ordinary such as the following, you should get a professional to check it out immediately.

1. Bad Odour

Bad odour stemming from a septic tank often means that something has become stuck and needs fixing. It is one of the most common side-effects of a broken septic tank, and the one that is hardest to ignore.

Common causes of septic tank smells are down to ventilation, contaminants, food waste and more. However, the most common cause of septic system smells is that the tank is full and needs to be emptied”.

To get rid of the bad smell from your septic tank, you should check if it is too full. Too much waste in the tank can cause clogs, which in turn may cause a rotten smell to spread throughout your house. This shouldn’t be an issue if your tank is regularly pumped, but if it isn’t, you may want to start doing so.

2. Sewage Backup

If your sewage is not going away once disposed of, it could mean that your septic tank needs to be pumped. This could be caused by natural, soft or hard blockages from silt, leaves, excretion or plastic that is stuck inside the system.

A common indicator of septic tank problems is a toilet that’s slow to flush - or won’t flush at all - and a plunger can't fix the issue. The tank may be full, or there could be a clog in the pipes.

To fix a sewage backup, you should pump your septic tanks regularly and make sure that whatever you dispose of is able to be broken down. To check this, you should look at the back of the package and see whether the materials are organic or soft.

3. Greener Lawn Over Drainfield

Greener grass over the septic tank is usually a sign that your septic system is beginning to fail”.

Although it may be perfect to see that your garden is growing greener by the day, it can be a sign that your septic system is beginning to fail and break down, which could impact your household significantly. It can be a sign that sewage is not flowing effectively and is getting jammed.

Greener grass above your pipes and sewage system means that you have a leakage somewhere along the line. This will require specialist attention to fix, especially if it is underground and will need digging up - although you may be tempted to do this yourself, you could hit a pipeline and do more damage than good in the long-run.

4. Problems With Drains / Flushing

The best way to flush out clogged toilets and drains is to pump your septic system. This helps to destroy any blockages made from toilet paper, excrements and wipes that may impact the quality of your plumbing system.