Signs Your Septic Tank Is Full: How To Prevent A Messy Situation

Septic tanks store and treat wastewater so that it can be safely discharged back into the environment. But what happens when a septic tank is full? If not emptied on time, the septic tank can overflow, causing major damage to your property and creating a huge mess.

This blog highlights three signs that your septic tank is full and what you can do to prevent it from overflowing.

Overflowing Toilets

When your toilet overflows, it's usually an indication that your septic tank is full. The septic tank is designed to hold wastewater from your home until it can be properly treated. However, over time, the tank will fill up and will no longer accept new wastewater. As a result, the toilet will overflow every time you try to flush it.

An overflowing toilet is a constant health hazard, especially if you have small children in the house. If your toilet starts to overflow, don't try to flush it again. Instead, call a septic system professional to empty your septic tank. Pumping out the septic tank will remove the accumulated wastewater and allow your toilet to function properly again.

Slow Drains

The septic tank works by holding the sewage in the tank until it breaks down. However, when the tank is full, there is nowhere for the sewage to go. As a result, the sewage backs up into the drains, causing them to drain slowly. In addition, the septic tank may overflow, which can cause damage to the house and surrounding property.

Pumping the septic tank removes the solid waste from the tank so that there is room for more water. It's also important to not put anything down the drain that will not break down easily. This includes things like paper towels, feminine products, and grease. These items will clog up the system and cause it to backup. 

If you notice that your drains are running slow, don't wait to call a septic system professional. The sooner you have your septic tank pumped out, the lesser the damage to your septic system and its components.

Foul Sewer Smells

A full septic tank can cause foul sewer smells for many reasons. First, as the septic tank fills up, there is less room for the effluent to disperse. This can trigger anaerobic conditions, which lead to the production of hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas is what gives sewer gas its characteristic foul odor.

In addition, a full septic tank can also cause clogs in the leach field. When this happens, sewage can back up into the home, causing even stronger foul odors.

Finally, a full septic tank can also lead to a build-up of sludge and scum. This material can release methane gas, which has an even worse odor than hydrogen sulfide.

As you can see, a full septic tank can cause foul smells that can be very unpleasant for homeowners. Contact a plumber right away to have your septic system serviced and keep your home free of foul sewer smells.