A peculiar smell in the yard? Drains that seem to be slower than they should be? Then again, one has to ask when the septic tank was last pumped.
We have been fielding such questions from homeowners in Huntsville and Madison County for some time now. Since 2009, the family at Around the Clock Plumbing & Septic has put to use about a century of collective plumbing and septic know how on every service call. You can reach us at (256) 600-9024, any hour of the day or night.
It is all too easy to let a septic tank go unattended until there is an issue. More often than not, by the time you see trouble in your home it has been festering. But a good septic system will put out warning signs well in advance of a total backup; it is a matter of being aware of them.
The Importance of Septic Pumping
What your septic tank does is to part the solids from the wastewater. Inevitably, a layer of those solids will accumulate at the bottom. Should it become too high, the waste has no outlet and will make its way back into your pipes and drains and then your yard.
Pumping on a regular basis is the way to contain that. We see a lot of homeowners who put it off until there is something to see or smell, only to find the bill for repairs is considerably steeper than what routine maintenance would have run.
What to Look For
Before a septic system gives out it will tell you in subtle ways. Some indications that a pumping is in order:
- House-wide slow drains, particularly with more than one fixture involved
- A gurgling noise in the sinks, toilets or drains
- An unpleasant odor about the drain field or the tank itself
- Sewage making its way back up into the floor drains, tubs or toilet
- Patches of standing water or spongy, overly green grass on the drain field
- Toilets that do not clear with a flush
One of these by itself merits attention, but if you are seeing two or three in concert, your tank is past due for service.
Frequency of Pumping
It is hard to give a definitive answer as to how often a tank should be pumped since it varies from home to home. The age and state of the system, the number in your household and their daily water consumption, the size of the tank and even a garbage disposal will come into play.
Three to five years is the norm for most. But to be certain you want an inspection from someone in the know. We can put together a schedule suited to your needs.
Consequences of Inaction
You cannot put off a pumping and expect the problem to resolve itself; typically it will only get worse. Letting the tank go can mean damage to your drain field and backups in the house, not to mention the cost of the ensuing repairs. A bad drain field is an expensive proposition for any homeowner. With a little foresight and timely pumping, however, this is largely avoidable.
Ways to Care for Your System
A few simple things will go a long way in preserving your septic system:
- Do not put all the laundry and dishes in at once, space them out over the week
- Put a stop to running toilets and leaky faucets
- Make sure grease and the like do not end up in the drains
- Refrain from driving heavy equipment or parking over the drain field
- Put down in writing when the tank was last serviced
Your Local Team
Do not let a minor thing escalate. Call on Around the Clock Plumbing & Septic. We are the licensed and insured choice in Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Athens, New Hope, Toney, Moores Mill, Harvest, Meridianville, New Market, Laceys Spring and other parts of Madison County.
With same-day booking and free estimates we are at your service 24/7. We are also BBB affiliated and extend a 10% discount to our military and senior customers. Our owner is hands on with his service calls so you can have confidence in the care of your home.
Give us a ring at (256) 600-9024 to get your septic service put on the calendar.
