Living in a rural area can generate peace, quiet, and tranquility, but it can also leave you open to home maintenance needs that may be more irregular in the city. Septic tanks, for example, are generally needed to handle the plumbing needs of buildings which aren't connected to a central sewage system, and those tanks require vigilance and care.

Below, you'll find a guide to some signs your septic system may need to be pumped and cleaned. Keeping an eye out for these problems can help you avoid major blockages and help guarantee that your system runs smoothly and doesn't leave you vulnerable to inconvenient and unappealing backups.

Slow Toilets

When your septic system is working at its fullest capacity, it's unlikely that you'll see much difference in performance from a standard sewer system. Your toilets should flush with easily, empty quickly, and refill with a speed you can anticipate. When those factors change, however, it may be a sign of lurking trouble.

A backup in your septic system can weaken the pressure of the flush in your toilets, causing them to empty more slowly. This should immediately spur you to schedule a pumping of your system, as the next step after slow draining is backups and overflowing, which are generally incredibly unpleasant.

Sewage Backup

Finding sewage backed up into your sinks or toilets is also a generally unpleasant experience, but a strong septic system shouldn't allow this to happen. Your tank's capacity should be sufficient to keep waste contained, and backups are not a normal situation.

If you do notice any foul-smelling or dark-colored waste water appearing in vessels connected to your septic tank, it may be close to its capacity. Having it pumped will allow the sewage to remain contained where it belongs and can help eliminate unpleasant surprises that may make your home more difficult to enjoy.

Wet Ground

Your septic system should be entirely self-contained, and should never generate any waste or spillage. If you find yourself with an unexpected mud puddle outside your home that seems to be taking on a foul odor, it's likely that you need to take immediate action to have your tank pumped. Keep in mind that backups and overflowing can lead to tank failure, which is a much more serious and difficult problem. Using wet ground as a warning sign can allow you to be proactive and keep your system functioning in its best possible state.

Contact a septic pumping service for additional information.