How to Tell If Your Septic Tank Is Full


Your septic tank is probably not typically at the forefront of your mind. One of the best parts about them is that they do their job and you don’t have to worry about them very often. But eventually, maintenance is required, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t let it go too long in between services, otherwise, you may get an overfilled septic tank. Let’s face it, that would stink. Here is how to know if your septic tank is full.


Signs that your septic tank is too full

If your septic tank gets too full, then it can start to back up, which can cause a lot of problems in the home as well as in your plumbing. Here are some of the signs you should always be sure to recognize so that you’re able to act as quickly as possible:


Slow-moving drains

Usually, if your drains are moving slower than usual, such as water draining from the toilet or sink more slowly, it’s due to a clog. However, if you are able to clear the clog manually or with cleaning products and find the problem isn’t fixed, then it’s likely that the septic tank needs to be emptied because it’s too full.


Unpleasant drain odors

If there are bad smells coming up from the drains, something has gone wrong. The septic tank is supposed to prevent this, but when too full, air from the tank can back up into the home. The best way to get rid of it is to empty the tank.


Standing water over the tank

If it hasn’t been raining, then seeing water over the ground where the tank would be is a sure sign that the tank has started to overflow. That water could very well be waste water rising up because there’s too much solid waste to provide space for it. If you see this, you should aim to get the tank emptied immediately if possible.

Backed-up sewers

Another sign that the septic tank is not only full but is overflowing. The sewer backing up into your plumbing typically starts at the lowest level of the property and is a serious problem that needs to be addressed soon. Backed-up sewers are highly unsanitary, so ensure that you act on them as soon as possible.

Get your septic tank emptied

A team of plumbers that specialize in septic tanks can help you get things back to normal and help restore your septic tank back to proper functions if you call them out to empty the tank. The costs can vary depending on tank size, type, and accessibility, but it is crucial to not let it linger for too long if it’s full.

If you think you have a External link opens in new tab or windowseptic full and you want to make sure that it gets the proper maintenance that it needs, you can get in touch with our team at Texas Pride Septic. We’re glad to offer what advice we can and, if there are any leaks or overflows, we can help you fix it.