If your home is on a septic tank system, chances are, you don’t think about your tank too often. Emptying your septic tank is one of the most important components of keeping your waste water system going—if your tank is full, it can cause serious problems. Fortunately, there are telltale signs that your septic tank is full and needs to be emptied. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly what to watch out for so you can spot the warning signs and get your tank emptied.

7

Sewage backup in your home

  1. Sewage in the toilets or showers means your tank is full. A sewage backup happens because the waste water can’t drain away from your home. When your tank is full, there’s a chance that the sewage could back up into your sinks, toilets, or showers.[7]
    • If you’re experiencing a sewage backup, call a professional right away. Sewage is a biohazard, and it can make you and your family very sick.
    • Sewage backups can also be caused by clogs or blockages within the tank or the pipes.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How to find your septic tank?
    David Balkan
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main
    David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main
    Expert Answer
    Usually septic tanks have clean outs that are visible, because they have to be pumped out every so often. Typically, the first tank would be approximately 15 feet or slightly more out from the exterior wall of your house. And the easiest way is to locate your main house trap or cleaner. If you find your main trap but can't find the cleaner for the tank in line with it, call a professional. They can insert electronic pipe tracing devices down your main house sewer, and pinpoint where the tanks are located.
  • Question
    How do you clear a clogged septic tank?
    David Balkan
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main
    David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main
    Expert Answer
    There can be different types of blockages (grease blockages, root blockages, and so on), so I would recommend calling a professional who know how to deal with them and has a variety of tools. Moreover, the sewer gas present in septic systems can be fatal, so one must know how to work with these systems properly.
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About This Article

Hannah Madden
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. When she isn’t writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. This article has been viewed 12,131 times.
5 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: June 4, 2022
Views: 12,131
Categories: Plumbing
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