3 Environmental Consequences of Septic System Neglect

If you own a septic tank, watch for the signs that it’s time for a pump! If you’re having trouble flushing your toilets and drains, notice water is starting to pool outside, and that something smells funny, your septic tank may be due for pumping. There’s no downside to a periodic septic tank pump. Call the professionals for an evaluation and quote. Learn about the four benefits of having your septic tank pumped.

Keep Things Healthy and Clean

It goes without saying—septic tanks are brimming with some nasty stuff. When the tank overflows, the solids inside can’t settle, bacterial activity slows, and the substances block the drains. A full septic tank can still do its job, but when the muck starts to back up, watch out. Drains will back up, wastewater will rise up and pool in the yard, and the waste might contaminate well water. Giving your septic tank room to “breathe” reduces the chances of unhealthy material entering your home. It also prevents waste from entering the surrounding ecosystem, filling local bodies of water with algae that can make the water undrinkable and kill plants, animals, and even people.

Ditch the Stink!

As you can guess, septic tanks don’t smell great. When one is full, it also fills the air with an assortment of unpleasant odors. If you catch a whiff of rotten eggs in the yard, that’s the smell of sulfur telling you it’s likely time to pump the septic tank. The stronger the smell, the more probable it is that your tank is spitting out raw sewage. Eventually, those odors will find their way into your house, and nobody wants that.

No Fines Is Just Fine

Whatever your feelings about politics, most laws are in place to protect us. Check your local laws, codes, and ordinances to see how often residents should pump their septic tanks to avoid the above issues. As a rule of thumb, however, you’re probably expected to pump the tank every two to four years. Usually, a septic tank pumping company prepares a report of service and delivers it to the local authorities, signaling compliance. However, you should always check to see if you need to file the report yourself. Stay on top of pumping your tank—otherwise, you might face a hefty fine.

Saving Time and Money

The last of the four benefits of having your septic tank pumped is this: it saves money and keeps things running smoothly. As with any device, regular maintenance keeps the whole system working. A small investment can mean savings on repairs and maintenance, and regular maintenance postpones the need to replace the tank itself until far in the future. What’s more, it keeps your water fresh, clean, and free from toxins.