Unless you've got a massive backup in your sewer line, chances are, you'll almost never know when your septic tank is full. But just because it isn't spilling out all over your bathroom floor doesn't mean you don't need septic pumping services. Ideally, you should have your septic tank pumped at least every 3–5 years, but depending on the size of your tank and the number of people using it, it could be more frequent than that.

If you see any of the signs mentioned below, it's time to at least have your septic tank inspected by a professional.

Soft Ground

One of the best indicators that there's a malfunction of some kind with your septic tank is to visually inspect the area right around the tank. If the ground is swamp-like or has an unusual amount of growth, then it's most likely leaking waste into your roots system. Before long, the entire area could be flooded with bio-waste, leaving you with not only a massive problem but a really smelly one at that.

Slow Drain

If the toilet drains really slow when you flush it, that's probably because the toilet is on the verge of backing up into your home. Excess waste has nowhere else to go except back up the sewer pipe, so if that happens, get your toilet checked out to see if there's a clog. If there's no clog, you'll need to hire septic pumping services to drain your septic tank and give the waste a place to flush towards.

Smelly Drains

You don't need to wait to see if the septic tank is making problems, normally one of the first signs that it's completely filled comes by checking with your nose. A filled-to-capacity septic tank will force those gasses that are normally inside your septic tank to come back up the pipes and into your home, creating a powerful stench from your toilets and sink drains. 

Gurgling Pipes 

Most toilets make some kind of noise, usually as a result of trapped air during a flush that is later released. If you happen to notice that those gurgling sounds are becoming more frequent, or stronger, more powerful gurgling sounds, than it's usually a sign that more air is being trapped, possibly for longer periods of time. This is usually the result of a full septic tank that is backing up into your home. The only way to get it fixed is by hiring septic pumping services to remove the waste from your tank.