Your septic tank is built to separate waste materials into three levels. The top level is scum, which is made of soaps and fats. The middle level is clear effluent, and the bottom level is solid waste, or sludge. As time goes on, the sludge builds up. What you don’t want is for it to accumulate to the point where it interferes with how your septic system works.

How to Know if Sludge Levels Are Too High

First, you should have your septic tank pumped every three to five years, depending on factors such as the size of your household and how much water you use. Here are some signs that the sludge levels are too high, and you really need to have your tank pumped right away.

Slow Drains

One sign that the sludge levels in your septic tank are too high is slow drains. It’s not just one drain that’s slow, but all of them. When the tank is filling with sludge, wastewater can’t enter it as quickly as it should. Toilets that flush slowly can indicate the same issue.

Standing Water in the Yard

A common sign that all’s not well with your septic tank is standing water in the area of the yard where the tank is located. The standing water appears even if it hasn’t rained in a while. It’s a sign that the tank is leaking. You may also see pools of water in the leach field. This is especially problematic because the leach field is where the clear effluent is cleaned and allowed to sink into the groundwater or evaporate into the air. Plants and turf grasses in the area of your septic system tend to be lush anyway, but if they’re rampant, it’s not a good sign.

Bad Smells

There should be no smells when your septic tank is working the way it should. If you notice an unpleasant, sewer-like smell, it probably means that your tank needs pumping.

Gurgling Sounds in the Pipes

Another sign that sludge levels are high is gurgling in your sewer pipes. Persistent gurgling should not be ignored.

Raw Sewage Backup

One of the worst signs that the sludge level in your septic tank is too high is raw sewage backing up into your house. This is not only ghastly, but it’s expensive to fix.

Don’t let the sludge in your septic tank grow to the point where it becomes a problem. For septic tank pumping, get in touch with our professionals at Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co. of Greensboro, NC.