how do you know when your septic is full?

Question

my toilet is flushing, but very slow all of a sudden, took cap off septic, water is to the top but no solids ( i stuck a stick down tank and no solids)also is there two tanks or one? if two, is it usually side by side or one in front of the other?

Answer 1

OK Houston you have a problem! There are basically two different types of septics. Your traditional gravity system and a low pressure system. If it were a low pressure system you would have an audible alarm, see a red light, ....or both. If none of that nonsense is going on you have a conventional system....and it looks full, you need help. It should never look full. The water should be draining off into fields made up of pipes. Apparently you are no longer draining. Sorry to say, but it is time to make 'the call'. I suggest you don't wait too long. It won't be pretty if you do.

Answer 2

Some are one tank and some are two. All should have a [pipe running from the tank taking off the water. This may be plugged. I would bet that that is your problem. Most of the time the pipe sticks down in the tank a short distance and has an elbow to the outlet. Take the stick and move it around the inside of the tank until you hit the pipe and then you will know where it leaves and probably the direction it would go. Tree roots can cause this as well as something heavy running over it. the end may have been blocked by vegetation. Happy hunting.

Answer 3

See the links below. The second link contains a trouble shooting guide on plugged drains and septic stuff. The septic tank is always full, if it is being used. Liquids on top, solids on the bottom. The outlet from the tank is on the top, so only liquids flow out to the drain field (unless you have let your tank fill with solids - bad news) There is usually a distribution box that can contain water too. The 'tanks' are usually one behind the other.

Answer 4

You will not be able to flush the waste down. The water waste should bleed off on the field drains. This will be sewer pipe that runs out of the side of the tank. If it is full of water it liquid it is not draining. Take a sharpened rod and push into the ground around the septic tank, try to find the lateral lines. Roots and stuff can grow through them and cause them to block up.

Answer 5

I had this "syndrome" already twice in 5 years, and there was nothing wrong with the septic tank (which I had pumped out nevertheless).
In my case (and maybe in yours) it was the waste pipe leading to the septic tank: It sagged through ever so slightly, forming a shallow "valley" along its way. Sand, fat, hair, and other solids built-up there over time, and eventually your c....p + paper gets stuck there, too. A plumber with a motorized "snake" cleared it out, and it was good for another 2 years....

Answer 6

Sounds as though it's full to me. The solids will be there in suspension. Most houses only have one septic tank. Some of the fluid may drain off through the soakaways but you really do need to get your local Sceptic Sid in to empty it. They should be emptied every six months ideally and certainly once a year.

Answer 7

It's recomended that septics get pumped every two years. My septic tanks are side by side and one is for the solid waste.

Answer 8

your tank is always full of "water"or it would float up during a heavy rain. your drain field may not be large enough. if you have had a long period it may not be letting water perk-up. roots may clog house drain or drain field.

Answer 9

the septic should never be up to the top--you're full baby, get her pumped.

Answer 10

when your yard is full of crap. Look at how old it is, I think they are supposed to last 15-20 years, if its that old, you should call a specialist anyway...