Homeowners should schedule septic pumping every 2-5 years. Some exceptions are if have a large family or a smaller tank. In these cases, it should be done more often. Homes with a garbage disposal should have it done annually. It’s also a good idea for new homeowners to schedule septic pumping and an inspection right after they move in if it wasn’t done as part of the real estate closing process.

Many people think that if their system is working fine, they don’t need to worry about septic tank cleaning. This is an unfortunate and frequently costly mistake to make. Regular pumping of the septic tank increases the life of your whole system. It helps avoid backups from occurring. You should schedule routine septic tank cleaning no matter how well your system is running.

Any problem with your sewer system is certainly unpleasant. Wastewater backing up into the drains of your house is also unsanitary. During this time, many people wonder when they last had septic pumping done and whether it would help. When the tank has not cleaned, the bottom layer rises. This obstructs the pipes that distribute the water and let it out of the tank. The material flows back into the building and through the drains. Septic pumping will solve the problem, but you may still need additional tank cleaning and repair to restore the system’s functionality.

Call PWM first! If you have a blockage and cannot get water to drain, you could have a problem with the pipes inside your house. It could also be a problem with a backup or clog in which waste enters your tank. Plumbers are excellent, they know many things, but they often have no experience dealing with septic systems. They can only diagnose what is going on inside of your house. They usually do not touch any part of the septic system because they are not familiar enough with it to diagnose or treat the problem.

Many people call for a septic tank service when they notice a smell. If you haven’t had septic tank cleaning performed in a while, it may well be time to make an appointment. Often there might still be a smell after having your septic system serviced. Here are a few items to check:

Circulate The Air In Your Home

Removing wastewater from your septic tank mixes the gases in the tank and can cause them to backtrack to your home. The odor should disappear in a few hours. You can speed up the process by running water down every drain. Drains are required to have water in the curve of the pipe. This water stops gas from coming back up into the building. You can also open some windows to allow air exchange.

Spills while Pumping Your Tank

Your septic contractor should be courteous to avoid spillage. But if your septic technician does a lousy job, it could leave you with septic waste near your house. No matter how disgusting the spillage looks and smells, please do not attempt to clean it yourself. It’s hazardous. Contact the original septic company to correct their mistake or consult a more competent septic provider such as the Poop Dudes.

Toilet Seal Might be Damaged

Toilets are attached to the floor with an airtight wax seal or ring. This seal prevents the flushed sewage from escaping onto the bathroom floor. It also inhibits the pungent gasses from filling the room. This seal can crack over time, and as a result, you might have a foul-smelling bathroom. The odor may be there until your septic tank is full again, and the process will also make the smell stronger. In this scenario, you should swap the toilet wax ring with a plumber for you. The smell is likely to be present before having your septic tank pumped, and the process can often worsen the smell. In this case, you can have a plumber replace the toilet wax ring for you.

Plumbing Vents Might Be Defective

When plumbing vents work correctly, they help to remove gases and odors from your plumbing system. The ducts are connected to vertical pipes branching from your mainline. These pipes lead to a vent on the roof that allows the gases to flow out of your home. When your ventilation vents work correctly, they regulate the air pressure in your septic system. However, when the vent is blocked, the gases are stuck in the system. This will disrupt air pressure and push foul odors through the drain, worsening after pumping. You will want to contact an experienced plumber to solve the problem.

If the smell doesn’t resolve or you notice other symptoms you should schedule septic tank service.

Watch for these signs: unexplained slow drains (sinks, bathtubs, and showers), sewage backup into your home (sinks, bathtubs, showers, sometimes laundry) wet or spongy spots in the yard (due to rain or other water source), grass that is unusually green over the septic system, and foul odor near the septic system.

By using the natural power of gravity to separate out the household wastewater into three parts: solids (sludge) at the bottom of the tank, grease (scum) at the top of the tank, watery mix (effluent) in the middle. During normal operations, the sludge and the scum remain in the septic tank while the watery mix flows out into the drain field. However, the sludge and scum need to be periodically cleaned from the septic tank to keep things flowing smoothly.