How to Tell If Your Septic Tank Is Full

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If your home is on a septic tank system, chances are, you don’t think about your tank too often. Emptying your septic tank is one of the most important components of keeping your waste water system going—if your tank is full, it can cause serious problems. Fortunately, there are telltale signs that your septic tank is full and needs to be emptied. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly what to watch out for so you can spot the warning signs and get your tank emptied.

1

Slow drainage

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    When you turn on your sink, does the water take more than a minute to drain? If so, your septic tank is probably close to reaching maximum capacity. [1]
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2

Weak flushing

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    Similar to slow drainage, a weak-flushing toilet could mean a local clog or a full tank. However, if all of the toilets in your home are struggling to flush, it most likely means that your tank is full. [2]
3

Gurgling sounds

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    If you hear gurgling noises coming from your pipes, your tank is most likely full. Take this as an indication that your tank needs to be emptied right away. [3]
    • Most septic tanks need to be emptied every 3 to 5 years.
    EXPERT TIP

    David Balkan

    Professional Plumber
    David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber

    Avoid letting grease enter your septic systems. Don't pour grease down drains and use plant-based soaps in septic tanks. Grease coats your pipes and tanks, slowing drainage over time. Make sure to get septic tanks professionally pumped and treated regularly.

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4

Bad odors

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    Head over to your drain field, or the part of your yard that’s directly above your septic tank. If you get a whiff of a bad, sewage-like odor, it means your septic tank is probably full. [4]
    • When a septic tank isn’t full, you shouldn’t be able to smell anything at all.
5

Standing water over the septic tank

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    If you head out to your drain field and notice a pool of standing water, your septic tank is full. It’s overflowing and emptying itself before you have a chance to. [5]
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6

Lush grass above the tank

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    While it sounds a little silly, if the grass directly above your septic tank looks super healthy or lush, your septic tank is probably full. The extra water and nutrients from the tank are feeding your lawn, which can happen even before water starts pooling. [6]
    • Your lawn should look the same throughout, not be healthier in one particular spot.
7

Sewage backup in your home

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    A sewage backup happens because the waste water can’t drain away from your home. When your tank is full, there’s a chance that the sewage could back up into your sinks, toilets, or showers. [7]
    • If you’re experiencing a sewage backup, call a professional right away. Sewage is a biohazard, and it can make you and your family very sick.
    • Sewage backups can also be caused by clogs or blockages within the tank or the pipes.
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8

Algae blooms in nearby water

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    Algae is caused by an excess of nutrients, which can happen if your tank is leaking. If your septic tank is upstream from any ponds or lakes and you notice an influx of algae, your tank may be too full. [8]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How to find your septic tank?
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber
    David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber
    Expert Answer
    Usually septic tanks have clean outs that are visible, because they have to be pumped out every so often. Typically, the first tank would be approximately 15 feet or slightly more out from the exterior wall of your house. And the easiest way is to locate your main house trap or cleaner. If you find your main trap but can't find the cleaner for the tank in line with it, call a professional. They can insert electronic pipe tracing devices down your main house sewer, and pinpoint where the tanks are located.
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  • Question
    How do you clear a clogged septic tank?
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber
    David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.
    David Balkan
    Professional Plumber
    Expert Answer
    There can be different types of blockages (grease blockages, root blockages, and so on), so I would recommend calling a professional who know how to deal with them and has a variety of tools. Moreover, the sewer gas present in septic systems can be fatal, so one must know how to work with these systems properly.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/septic-system/signs-failure
      2. ↑ https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/septic-system/signs-failure
      3. ↑ https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/septic-system/signs-failure
      4. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/guides/caring-for-your-septic-system
      5. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/guides/caring-for-your-septic-system
      6. ↑ https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.mass.gov/guides/caring-for-your-septic-system
      8. ↑ https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/septic-system/signs-failure

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