It's the weekend and you're hosting your in-laws for lunch. You've cleaned the house and prepared a full feast. You're feeling good and ready to go. But suddenly your stomach grumbles, so you make a quick pit stop in the guest bathroom.
You flush once. Nothing
You try again. Still nothing.
You go in for that lucky third try. And nothing.
It's clear to you that it's clogged. Oh, and your in-laws are already on their way. So what do you do? Well, you could go ahead and attempt to unclog it yourself, pouring several chemicals and solutions down the drain in the hopes it will work. Or, you could go ahead, pick up the phone, and give Scorpion Septic a call! Not only will we uncover what's wrong, we'll take the best course of action and get your toilet to flush normally again!
Clogged Septic System vs Backed up Septic Tank
You've probably heard someone say, 'Oh I've got a full septic tank.' But what exactly does that mean? Usually when someone says they've got a full tank they're referring to their tank becoming filled with sludge to the point it becomes clogged.
Then we've got overfilled tanks, which is what you'd expect, septic tanks that are way past the point of being just full. So what happens? You usually get an overfilled septic tank when it becomes full with wastewater and it is not able to drain properly. Usually, it will simply back-up into your home, allowing wastewater and excrement to overflow out your drains and into your home.
How to Tell if Septic a Tank is Full or Clogged
It can be hard to properly tell if a septic tank is full or clogged until something goes fully wrong, but if you know what to look for you can usually notice some early indications that let you be proactive rather than waiting until you have a clogged septic system. Below are a few signs your septic system needs attention. It's important to keep an eye out as it will help inform you whether or not you've got a backed up septic tank or not.
Overly Lush Grass
We all want lush green grass. But take a look at your yard—is there lush green grass everywhere? Or are there patches of green and the rest of the yard is looking like it needs a little tender love and care? Lush green grass may not seem like a problem, but often when there is a patch or patches of overly lush grass, it can be a sign of a failing septic system as opposed to a healthy lawn. Often when homeowners notice this, they tend to ignore it, but it is often a sign that wastewater is leaking from your septic system, providing your lawn with an excessive amount of nutrients.
You Can't Flush
If you find that you can't flush your toilet, it could simply be an isolated incident, but if you notice other toilets in your home are hard to flush, then it could mean that you've got a full or clogged septic system. Often this is one of the first signs of a full septic system, so keep an eye for other slow draining toilets and fixtures.
Your Home Stinks of Sewage
Unless you've got kids running around the house post football practice, or a dirty laundry basket that hasn't been emptied in a week, there is no reason why your home should stink. Most septic systems contain gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, so if you get a whiff of a strong sewage smell, it's important to call a professional.
Do It Yourself or Call a Professional?
You may be thinking to yourself, "Couldn't I just unclog my septic tank myself?" Yeah, you probably could troubleshoot common issues, but let's be honest, chances are you probably won't do it quite right. Unclogging a septic tank is hard work. It's unpleasant and dangerous. And unless you've got the right equipment and experience, you risk making an even bigger mess of things. So, put down the mechanical auger, pick up the phone, and give us a call!
So, What Can You Do?
If you've got a backed up septic tank, assess the situation immediately. Are all your toilets not flushing or just one? Are the drain fixtures moving slow throughout the whole house or just in the guest bathroom? These are important questions to ask yourself because these are things you yourself could solve. Many minor toilet clogs can easily be dealt with through the use of a plunger, and slow drains can be handled with a manual drain snake, but for major issues it's important to simply leave it to the pros.
Call Today!
Plumbing problems aren't pretty. They're smelly, inconvenient, and worst of all, arduous work where plenty of things can go wrong, especially if you don't know what you're doing. So, don't chance it. Close your wiki-how tabs, pick up the phone, and call your friends over at Scorpion Septic. With a team of plumbing experts, we guarantee to leave your home in perfect condition!