How to Tell if Your Septic Tank Needs Emptying

To avoid unpleasant septic system back-ups, check your tank occasionally.

The upside to having a septic tank is not having to pay city sewer fees. The downside is having to maintain the tank, which includes emptying the tank as needed. Sometimes your tank will become full before you expect it to. Maybe you had extra family members visiting during the summer, or you were just home more often. When this happens, there will be a few signs you can recognize that will let you know that your tank needs to be emptied.

Things You'll Need

• Risers

Instructions

1. Empty your septic tank every three years if there are no problems. If you have a large family (five or more members), however, you should empty the tank every two years.

2. Install risers in your septic system. This allows you to keep an eye on your tank without having to constantly call an inspector to look at it. Just open the lid and check the tank every couple of months. If you begin to notice that the toilet paper and solids within the tank are building up, call to have the septic tank emptied.

3. Check to see if the sludge at the top of your septic tank has come within a foot of the the outlet tee. If it has, Southwestern Opportunities Networks says its time to empty the tank. This is also true if the scum layer on the bottom has reached six inches below the outlet tee.

4. Check for indications that your septic tank is full. These include toilets and sinks that begin to become sluggish, sewage odors, wet grass near the septic tank, or gurgling sounds in the pipes. If you observe any of these, it is time to have your tank pumped.

5. Check that you do not have a blockage in one of your pipes if the plumbing completely backs up. If you do not have a blockage, it is time to have your septic tank emptied.

Tips & Warnings

• If your well water tests positive for bacteria, National Small Flows Clearinghouse states that it may be because your septic tank is full. Check the septic tank, and have it drained if necessary.

• Septic tank additives may help break down some of the sludge in your septic tank, but they should never be used to replace pumping the septic tank on a regular basis.

• Do not dispose of diapers, wipes, tampons or cigarette butts in your toilet. These will clog the pipes going to the septic tank, causing all kinds of problems.

References

• Walt Steuer Plumbing Service: Maintenance
• Southwestern Opportunities Network: Four Ways to Keep Your Septic Tank Healthy
• Pipeline: Maintaining Your Septic System-A Guide for Homeowners