When you hire the right company for septic pumping services in Modesto, CA, you can rest assured that everything will flow the way it should day after day. However, daily care and maintenance is your job, as is making a schedule for thorough septic cleaning and pumping. A good rule to follow is to plan to have your septic tank pumped every three to five years or so. Some factors you can control, while others are out of your hands. Ultimately, a septic system that’s well taken care of and properly functioning can go longer between pumping appointments.
Below are the most common signs you need to pump your septic tank and some tips for keeping your septic system operating properly.
Signs you need your septic tank pumped
Septic tanks and pipes are hidden away, and the fact that they’re out of sight, out of mind can lead to serious septic issues. The key here is to not ignore the signs you need to clean your system:
- Bad odors: The fuller your septic tank, the more pungent the sewage odor is going to be. As your septic tank fills up, awful smelling gases have nowhere to go but up and out through your toilets, drains and drain field area.
- Slow draining: If your tub, shower, sinks, toilets and washing machine start draining slowly, you probably need to have your septic tank pumped.
- Super-lush lawn: The grass over your drain field should look similar to the rest of your lawn. If the lawn over your drain field suddenly explodes with lush, bright green grass, chances are it’s getting extra fertilizer from seeping waste.
- Standing water: When a septic tank is too full, it’s not unusual to get standing water around your property, mostly around the tank and the drain field.
- Sewage backup: A gigantic sign of a full septic tank or septic system problem is visible sewage backup. Having raw sewage in your house is both gross and unhealthy.
- It’s been a while: This one is not so much a sign as it is a rule. Depending on the size of your household and how much use your plumbing gets, your tank should be pumped every three to five years, more or less.
Tips for septic system owners
There are some things you and your family can do to extend the time between pumping appointments while also keeping your septic system in good working order. First, never flush non-biodegradable items down the toilet or sinks. Oil, grease, coffee grounds, feminine care products, vegetable peels, kitty litter and more are not safe to send through septic systems. Also, avoid cleaning with chemicals and using anti-bacterial soaps, because they kill the good bacteria that breaks down solids in the tank. Finally, hire a reliable company for regular septic maintenance.
No matter your septic needs, Alvarado Pumping Septic Service is here to assist you. Contact us today for more information about our septic pumping services in Modesto, CA or to schedule a service appointment!