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How To Tell When Septic Tank Is Full

What does a full septic tank mean?

It’s very typical for a septic tank to be full, which means it’s functioning normally! But there is a standard full range, and then there is the possibility your septic tank is clogged or overfull, both of which are not good.

There are three different ranges your septic tank system could be running at:

1. A full tank means that it is running at a normal full level. This means that the intake and outtake pipes are functioning normally, and wastewater is flowing into the septic system’s absorption or drain field. A pumped tank doesn’t mean that the tank stays empty. Once you start using your septic system again, it will return to the proper full level.

2. The tank can become full because it’s clogged with sludge. When this happens, the liquid/wastewater still flows from the outflow pipe to the drainage area, but the undissolved toilet paper or waste doesn’t break down.

3. An overfull tank is a common cause of sewage backup. It happens when your tank fills to the top with wastewater, but it is not draining properly into the absorption area. Instead, it remains in the outlet pipe, backing up and overfilling the tank.

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How can you prevent a full septic tank?

Since your septic tank will always be “full,” your primary focus should be on ensuring it stays at an optimum full level. The best thing you can do is be preventative and regularly pump your system

How often should you pump your tank? The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends getting your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years to remove sludge buildup.

That number of years depends on several factors:

When moving into a new home, you should request documentation of the previous sewage maintenance schedule. And if you don’t have that information, it’s a good idea to go ahead and get the system pumped just to be safe.

If you wait too long between pumping your system, you could be at risk for sludge buildup and eventually damage your drainage system.

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