What are the symptoms of a full septic tank?

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asked Sep 14, 2020 in Maintenance/Repairs by sport1 (210 points)
What are the symptoms of a full septic tank?

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answered Sep 14, 2020 by Avarado (27,970 points)
The symptoms of a full septic tank that needs pumped out are slow draining sinks, toilets, washing machine draining slowly or even sewage backups into your house through toilets, sinks, showers etc.

Ideally a septic tank should be pumped out every 5 to 10 years to prevent sewage backups.

Some signs of a failing septic system or failing septic tank are odors around the septic tank or leech field, sewage backups from your toilet, sink, tub, shower etc.

Or if you smell a sewer smell coming through your sink or shower or tub drains that can also be a sign that your septic tank is either full or the septic tank and septic system are failing.

A septic tank should be pumped out every 5 to 10 years depending on how much sewage goes down to the septic tank.

Gurgling sounds from sink drains, tub drains, shower drains, washing machine drains etc are all signs that you may have a failing septic system.

If you notice any of those problems you should have the septic system checked out and possibly the septic tank needs pumped out.

Septic Tanks last between 15 years to as long as 40 years and sometimes longer.

The lifespan of the septic tank depends on what the septic tank is made of and how well maintained the septic tank is.

If you have a plastic septic tank it may only last 15 to 25 years before it needs replaced as the plastic can degrade over the years.

However if you have an older or a concrete made septic tank the concrete septic tank can last 40 to 50 years and longer.

If the ground shifts then the concrete septic tank may fail and crack but if the ground sees no movement and you regularly maintain the septic tank and have the septic tank pumped out often enough then you should have the septic tank last at least 15 to 25 years.

My dads septic tank is 50 years old and is made of concrete and looks like it's got a lot of life left.

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